Waya Chetan

Ugh. So, tried to fix the original ears. Including trying to fix the countersink issue using the technique in one of the tutorials. Somehow I managed to screw that up, so now 1 hole on each ear is too big for my current screws. May be salvageable if slightly larger screws than the 6/32" screws I have are acceptable? Moved to the second ears. Used the toothpick/pencil/rubber band method. Only got the one ear done so far, and pretty sure I over trimmed it. I'm gonna put it down for the day and go bang my head on the wall.

Thanks for the info. Think I might need to do the ears. over from scratch. Don't know why the pics are showing so small. I was actually worried they were too big... Been editing down to 400x5-something on imgur. These next 2 closeups are 500x667

Thanks for the tutorial. Once again, glad I bought ATA. I think I need to redo my ears from scratch.

So, forging ahead. I'm still not 100% on the ears, but if I screwed them up too badly, then thankfully my kit came with 2 identical sets. Letting paint and plasti dip dry today, then tomorrow. I'll put in lenses and padding, plus start working on assembly of the suit itself. Unfortunately my snaps and the remainder of my elastic, strapping and velcro won't be here for another week.

Thanks for the tip. Here's some additional further back shots. Front... Here's the right hand side of the helmet, the one that the brow is sitting low on. I still had a gap, and put a 3rd rivet under where the ear will go to solve that issue. Closeup of the right hand side cause I don't think I have enough material to adjust that side but could be wrong. And lastly, the left hand side.

So, progress, but it's not right. Clearly my bucket is crooked. The way I see it I have 2 options....drill out the rivets on the high side and lower them to even it out. Or, I have some play with the brow. (I haven't glued the trim in yet.) I could trim that plastic under the trim to even it out. Thoughts?

I went with an ATA kit, and I'm perfectly happy with it so far.

Wanted to publicly thank @justjoseph63 for the massive amount of help he gave me yesterday. I am light years ahead of where I was and learned a ton of good info, and it's all thanks to him.

Ok never mind the Rubies. If it can't make Centurion I don't want to bother with it.

Leaving in just over an hour to go meet up with @justjoseph63 to work on my kit. I am gonna try and push through to get in under the wire.

Found 2 potential blasters on EBAY and figured I would come to the experts to determine if either was worth purchasing 1st one is a modified Rubies blaster... https://www.ebay.com/itm/114360824279 And the 2nd.... https://www.ebay.com/itm/333452459381 Any and all advice appreciated.

Talk about faster than expected turnaround. Ordered my boots on 7/9 and they arrived this morning. 1st impression is that I will definitely need to break them in a bit and buy insoles, but overall very happy with the purchase. Now just need holster, TD cylinder and clips, and my E11.

Honestly was about what I figured. Thanks for the info.

Boots ordered. In general, how long do they take to ship to say the southeast coast of the US?

Question for those who have bought Imperial Boots. I know they run small and I should order a little larger as a result. I normally wear 10 1/2, and my work shoes that size are a little loose. Setting up my order with them, and I initially figured I would go 1 size up, but they don't offer 11 1/2. Go straight from 11 to 12. Should I order an 11 or 12 in your opinion?

Impressive. Most impressive.

No not done. Need to do some more filing and trimming

Slight concern on my helmet. Large gap between cap and faceplate. Haven't glued or secured anything yet. Also concerned I may have trimmed the cap too much. Will the gap go away when assembled? Is the trimming ok?

I initially made this post on imgur public by mistake, (Can't edit those to resize them), and comment within minutes- "You'll never hit a pedestrian again"

So I set myself a goal to have my rough trim done on my days off this week, and well, mission accomplished. I know I need to take more off of the forearms and probably a few other spots, but I was going by the philosophy of "Can always take off material, can't add it." Thanks for letting me brag a bit... @justjoseph63 I'll be in touch soon.

Thanks for all the info everyone.

So, today's progress... Rough trim of thigh and shin pieces, belt front, thigh ammo boxes, knee plate, and started the butt plate. Have 2 questions about the last 2 pieces.... First the knee plate...do I cut out the piece circled in yellow? Second, the butt plate. Do I need to leave a lip or should I just trim the top straight off?

Not only do I plan to, I plan to come with food. (I'm a professional Chef at a pretty prominent local restaurant group)

Actually about the size of your average pocket knife. I use it at work when I am checking in deliveries to the restaurant.

Thanks. I know looking at the pieces I trimmed today I have more to take off, but better safe than sorry. I have it as a goal to get this suit to Centurion. (My stretch goal you could say.) Got to say I am very grateful for my understanding and supportive wife. She not only agreed to me spending the funds to finally do this, she pretty much has nudged me to do whatever I need to do.