shashachu

I'm not a DO anymore but I'd say your mesh is too fine. Here's mine: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9wLRpv5C1NskZcFp8

Welcome, Matt! (I'm from the GGG and am the one who suggested you start this thread.) Looks like you're making good progress! If you haven't noticed already, you're very limited in the size and number of photos you can upload directly to the forum, so we suggest you host your photos elsewhere (eg imgur or similar) and embed links instead. And if you haven't already, definitely peruse the other build threads here to get guidance and inspiration from folks who have already completed their builds or are farther along. Looking forward to seeing your progress!

I remember feeling really hot in my armor in the beginning but now I feel super comfortable. I do think I felt nervous, and also I wasn't as good at getting dressed so I would get hot wrestling my armor. Helmet fans will help a little, and I only used the rubber gloves for my Centurion photos (otherwise I use Gorilla Grip gloves from Home Depot.) You could go with something like a cooling vest but I have heard those don't actually stay cool long, and I assume it'll add some weird bulk. Instead I think as you get more comfortable in your armor you'll feel cooler, and it's more about being smart while trooping and not pushing yourself. Stay in the shade/cooler areas, take breaks, and stay hydrated. Our handlers are great and will also check on you. In the end it's hard to avoid being uncomfortable some of the time, but the fun of trooping outweighs it.

Congratulations!! Looking forward to trooping with you.

When I build I tend to lean very heavily into the idea of making things modifiable and replaceable which is why I use the screws, but I probably could have just glued the green plastic in and been fine.

I use Chicago screws embedded in milliput (epoxy putty) for the lenses and electrical tape for the frown screen. Both have held up for 7 years. But tbh nobody will ever see the inside of your helmet so there's probably lots of different methods.

I'm no longer a DO but I would not approve that at L2/L3 as-is. Completely fine for basic, though.

thanks! I am planning on printing part of my armor (back and chest) because the one that came with my KB kit it took big for me. Mostly I'm worried about warping in heat, so trying to decide between PLA+ and PETG.

hi @funkster! Question (which I might have missed in the thread) - what filament did you use for your armor? And how is it holding up 2 years on?

thank you so much!

thanks! I agree with the logic, but just wanted to ask before I made the cuts.

No problem! Here is what I'm referring to: Note that straight cut vs the CRL image I also found this image which has the same forearm mod: So it's not just Finn but I've seen people refer to it as the Finn mod. I was looking through old build threads and did see @equuspolo has the mod on his TFA build.

For future reference for painting helmet, one tip I got from another thread about areas that have to be outlined in black is to first paint the black down, then paint the gray over it once it's dried. It's much easier than trying to paint a tiny thin pinstripe of black:

Hi all, I'll update my build thread later, but my enthusiasm for the FOTK has been revived with the acquisition of a 3D printer so I can print some custom-sized parts. One question I had: as a detachment, what's our stance on the 'Finn cut' for TFA forearms for a regular TFA FOTK? I know the general advice is to ask your GML, but my GML usually asks me when he has questions about FISD costumes, so I thought I'd go straight to the source. If a garrison GML came to you with a member wanting to get approved with forearms with the Finn cut, what would your response be?

Great work! Agree on the teeth trimming - what helped me during my build was focusing less on trimming out the empty spaces and more on shaping the teeth, if that makes sense. Once I thought about it that way, it became a lot clearer how much to trim out.

Hi Hanson, The belt position shouldn't block basic, but it will not pass Centurion. If you are planning on submitting later for higher level approval, I highly recommend you make the fix now, for a couple reasons: 1) You already have momentum going with your build which will likely wane once approved (if you're like me), 2) The will probably want to just get out and troop once you are finally approved, and the last thing you'll want to do is rip up your belt and make it un-troopable while you fix it. I actually made the exact same mistake when I assembled my belt and ended up disassembling and reassembling it. You'll see there's extra holes in the canvas, but it's all covered so nobody knows it's there but me. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/42868-sha-shas-wtf-anh-stunt-build-complete/#comment-576083

Here's a photo of my shoulder straps as well https://photos.app.goo.gl/oNr1ozuqGPA2nwbw6

Really great progress on this build! I looked back at my build photos and I have about the same amount of overlap on the front, but I did not cut off the big tabs on the back. Yours look a bit short if I'm being honest but it depends a lot on how far apart the chest and back are, which depends on how they fit on you. I'd personally leave the shoulder bridges for now and instead work on getting the strapping between chest and back dialed in before deciding exactly where you'd like the shoulder bridges to sit. They're just decorative so they can be left until much later in your build. https://photos.app.goo.gl/oGxcS2ANssQ5kWcA6

I indeed have a WTF kit, but I'm on the other end of the high spectrum (5' 3") so I'm sure your build will come with its own unique set of challenges! I can see though you have a high attention to detail so I'm sure you won't have an issue getting your kit together. If you have any questions, just ask!

What a loss for the FISD and for the Legion as a whole. Like others I never had the opportunity to meet Dan in person but he helped me and countless others. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Congratulations!!

Wow I have been off the forums for a while - I had no idea Walt finally shipped his FOTK kits! I'll be following this thread closely.

You're an absolute monster, Ardeshir! Congrats and very very well deserved.

Congrats Justin!

Welcome, Crystal! I'm 5' 3" and an approved Stormtrooper so it can definitely be done. Glen already linked to my build thread above, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions. There's also a Facebook group called A Little Short for a Trooper for Legion and aspiring Legion members who are vertically challenged.