TI25674

That makes sense. Ill have to try it on tonight to see where that strapping is. If memory serves, I think the alignment is off

lol, no worries, i did use that technique for my shins

So I am getting some thigh rotation when I walk. Is there anyway to combat this? I was thinking about putting a couple of pieces of EVA foam on the inside. Any other suggestions?

Hey hey Newly approved TK here. I am looking for some advice on armor bites. Everything is pretty good except for the top of the inner thigh and cod. I am getting "bit" on the man parts unless I walk in sort of a "have to get to the bathroom real quick" movement. Not sure what to do about that. I was thinking about maybe some tighter under wear (boxer guy). Maybe possibly shaving down the sides of the cup portion, or even cutting the thigh down slightly. Or a combination.

TK-25674 requesting access TK, TB https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=33918

Wanted to thank you for the input, approved today

Nice. Thanks for the input. I knew about some of those. I like the tab idea, thanks for the link. The gap at the chest and shoulders - going to try to rotate those a bit. I have a large chest and gut so that doesn't help either lol. My gml was ok with the cover strips for basic. I'm a bigger guy so getting things like this to fit are tough. I'm really pleased with the first suit up.

So this is where I am at. The first full try on. Anything standing out that should be corrected for basic approval? I know I have to attach the holster yet.

Looking at making the mobility cuts on the backs of the shins (see pic). I want to make sure its good for basic approval before I go cutting. Thanks!

Thank you for the response! Im thinking since I only need a little space, given your post, I will probably pull the front apart and reglue with some space. Putting a piece behind it as well.

I am working with a WTF kit that was built to my body size, the builder did a fantastic job. The biceps cam in too tight to fit but I fixed those with no issues. The shins however are a different animal. I need about 1.5" to get them closed at the top. I've seen various types of shimming here and I'm look for the best possible way. This is no fault of the builder, I went back over the measurements I provided and I was off. Since I'm a bigger guy I think the cover strips are maxed out. I am looking for the best way to shim without having to paint since the kit is built (so no slurries). My thought was to pull apart the front of the shin and create a gap under the cover strip and glue it back down. I can reinforce with some spare ABS and done. But that will leave "shoulders" on each side of the cover strip. I don't know if that's acceptable or not, I didn't see anything about that in the CRLs for basic approval. I can increase the size of the cover strip in the back but that means going over 1.5". I think it starts to look odd. And it leaves a gap at the top of the rear so the lip part wont meet. I've seen some with sort of a relief cut on the back side (almost like a U shape) and that might cover up the gap. But again, larger cover strip.

Thanks for the response. I know KB is out, i got burned on their last run and unable to collect my money (almost 2 yrs ago). Im talking with Walt at WTF on one, hes checking on the size. Im looking at an FOTK or a traditional TK. I know TKs are a little more forgiving in that gut area. I just don't know much about the FOs and how they fit. The more I look at build threads, FOs are less likely for me and TK may be the way to go Im not affraid to modify, but I just don't want to modify it to the point that it may look ridiculous.

This looks like the place to post this, but if not feel free to let me know. Im a bigger person (dad bod not tall). Anyone have info on an FOTK? Ive never built one. There is one for sale over on the 501st forums but don't want to pull the trigger unless I know it can be adjusted to fit me without approval issues. Admittedly I don't know much about FOTKs and fitting them to someone outside the "normal" size. Thanks ahead!

Yeah. Now to decide. I'm back and forth between a TK and a muddy. Ultimately if it's a TK I will convert to a sandy at some point if I don't build to those crls to start. I know there will be shimming for a TK, I just don't want it to look off (did I say that already? I don't know).

In the end of the day, I may go with Walts. Good stuff, i have other kits from him. I like to sort of stick with one maker. I know it will be a little work shimming but its not bad for basic approval. My R1TK I did I made the shims seamless. Just a little elbow grease.

I did reach out to Dave at AM a couple of days ago but haven't heard anything back yet. I tried RT and their email address bounces back. I know everything in Walt's kit will fit decent except the ab section. It will need to be shimmed for sure. I know his quality too. I just don't want to build it and it look "off" being my size. I know its all about the fit and finish.

Hey all, TB25674 here I am toying with the idea of building a TK for a long time. I've even started a couple but for various reasons (mostly time) sold them off. Looking for opinions on sizes of various armors. I searched here and have found varying degrees of information. I'm a bigger buy, 5'10" 220 (think dad bod) so its all in the waist area. I have a line on a decent price for ATA armor, but I've had stuff from WTF, DA Props, and 850 in the past and they all are decent quality. Any suggestions?

And a little more progress. I got the suspenders in. Using velcro so I can adjust up and down. The ab can go tighter by about 2 inches, I didn't put the trauma plate on for this fit (thats how the abs adjust). To my eye, the back need to come down. The shoulder straps are pretty much maxed out. The chest plate is about as high as I can get it without pushing on my throat. Thoughts?

I've made a little progress. While I wait for the flexible glazing putty I ordered I started on the helmet. I'm not using the 850 bucket due to the inaccuracies in it. I'll be converting my black series, however I'm really thinking about ordering one of Jim's. And the thought crossed my mind of trying to offload mine whole kit for a Jim's. I've never worked with fiberglass so it's a little intimidating. On to the show... I started by taking apart the entire helmet, then I drilled holes in the old aerator spots so they fit Ukswrath's iI will be removing most of the insides and sanding down the unnecessary spots. I will leaved some of the plastic used for connecting the back, front, and dome to help with the fit Then bond and bindo all the seams. i was able to get the shoulder strap covers and holes done so now i can start to fit the chest, back, and torso. Which I think will speed things up. I'm following a tutorial here foe the helmet, I just don't remember whose at the moment.

I'll chime in on my build (R0TK from 850 AW). Their amor kit is the right price, which is why I went with it. I purchased the helmet with it as well, without doing proper research. I built an OTTK (Walts kit) and it was my first full kit, it went together pretty well. I had experience with a OT tie pilot, and 2 Fetts. But it was a challenge, not too bad though. I learned a lot. That all said the 850 kit lacks the crisp details I've seen in other kits. I am having to fix some issues along the way: rear shoulder strap covers are 3D printed and require a fair bit of "custom" sanding to get them to sit correctly. Even then, still need filling. All the ab greeblees are cast from 3D prints and still have print lines in them. Lots of sanding. The angled line on the sides aren't the correct angle, a few degrees off. The pulls themselves have imperfections (tiny dents here an there, rounded edge, etc). All workable with patience. The 850 helmet. I can't stand behind it. When I got it the top was flat, I had to heat it up (hot car method) and pop it back out. The two sides of the face are very slightly off alignment on mine (see my build thread mentioned above). As mentioned above, other issues as well. I didn't like that it made it passed QC with these issues and I was expected to try to fix it first. Lucky for me, I was able to. I will be printing my own. I was able to get a Black Series but I don't want to mod it, just display it. Like @BigJasoni said, I don't want to blast 850 AW on this. I have two other kits from them and they are great so far. They are very quick to answer emails and have been nice and replaced a part or two pretty quick if it was missing. And there are ROTK kits here on the forums that turned out great. I am considering putting my kit up for trade for another OTTK ( i sold mine to fund this, and now I miss it). I'm 47 and have a soft spot for the OT. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions.

I still have to get the suspenders in and I feel like the chest plate can come up a hair. But the torso looks good to me where it's at. I will only have to trim about an inch off the top and that lease plenty under the chest. The side will have to get trimmed down.

@BigJasoni my suspenders are kind of the same design. Thanks for the pics!

@BigJasoni Thanks for all of that! Yes, I have heavy duty suspenders I just haven't figured out how I am going to mount them. Yesterday I cut the sides and shims apart and joined them in the back with a butt joint like the OTs. Waiting for that to cure before I moved forward. I have left little space for adjustment behind the trauma plate (velcro'd) for thicker layers. All in all i'm happy with the fit. I tend to wear the torsos a little tighter but nice to have that relief if I want it. I'm up for ideas on mounting the suspenders. I was thinking snaps, but ill get those mounted before cutting the top. I know the torso sits really high on me and pretty uncomfortable under the arms. But I may have it up too high. I'll post a pic with it and the chest plate on.

Sweet. Reading through this. That was my thought leaving space. The bottom line is where the chest plate came to standing up

Thinking about the cut here - the top line. The chest covers it pretty well, and theres still room if I need to cut shorter.