TK-Tom's Not So Excellent Adventure - ANH Stunt TK Build

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Greetings all, first time builder here. Thought I would post my build progress. I am almost finish but I can back track here to get everyone up to speed. I have been active in the Facebook Anovos Build group, but not on FISD yet.

 

So I ordered a ANH Stunt TK kit from Anovos during Star Wars day 2016, using their discount. Was one of the lucky ones as they were running out of kits and I actually got my BBB in about 3 weeks. Oh joy! Opening it up, I wondered what I got myself into. I am not mechanically inclined, I am a Systems Admin after all, but I said let's do this.

 

I knew I would have to be extra careful because if I destroyed a part, there would be no replacing it. So the cost of the kit and all the ancillaries to build and complete this kit would be a scary thing, but I would just be patient and take my time.

 

I started the build around June 1, 2016. To this point I just need to do my legs, bucket mods, and final fitting/alterations. Just until recently, I never knew that you just build the entire kit as directed FIRST, then worry about fit. I was starting off fitting it to myself piece by piece. Thx to KMan and others on the FB page for setting me straight, hope it was not too late.

 

Got my TK boots from TK Boots. Size 13 because I was told to go one size up. Well, the 13's are loose so I purchased some foot padding and heel padding. Now they are tight, but will stretch out nicely.

 

(to be continued...as soon as I can figure out how to upload pictures)

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Hey Tom welcome to the FISD. You're in good hands here. Let us know if there's anything we can do for you.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Just trying to get some pictures posted with my narration but having trouble. I click the IMAGE button and paste my link to the picture, but it does not let me click OK

[T K[501st]]

Just trying to get some pictures posted with my narration but having trouble. I click the IMAGE button and paste my link to the picture, but it does not let me click OK

What image hosting site are you using? And welcome to FISD!

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Thx, IMGUR, just setup account. Was trying to use DropBox.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Samething with IMGUR, I can paste the link to the photo but the OK button doesn't get enabled so I can complete the post.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Hey! I did it! I actually posted a picture~ Had to switch to Chrome instead of IE. %&^!$#@ Microsoft.

 

At least I can continue on with the build narration now.

 

First thing I took a look at was the helmet. I was disappointed because it looked horrible with too much gap in the ears. The mouth screen was half off, the eyes have too much flash, the right side ear was not flush with the side of the helmet, the screws need to be replaced, and the S-Trim is not nice and straight. At least the distance of the vent stripes were close enough to being pencil width apart. I was quickly corrected about this helmet - it is SUPPOSED to be that way, this kit is made to be asymmetrical like the original ANH TK's. So I can live with it...for now. I WILL revisit this guy later, for sure!

 

Edited July 7, 2016 by TK-Tom

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Another thing that had me worried was the AB/Cod armor. I was ready to ship it back saying they gave me defective items, as this was warped. But again, it is SUPPOSED to be this way.

 

Edited July 7, 2016 by TK-Tom

[TK-Tom[501st]]

I decided to work on the torso first, because, well, just because... so the rough cutting began....

 

 

 

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Getting excited, could not wait to try SOMETHING on at least...

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Tom with a blade, look out~

 

Glad I had purchased those cut resistant gloves!

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Next, I moved on to the other parts to trim. And then some trouble began to brew~

 

 

 

 

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

I started to get a little TOO excited and was slipping my cuts where I should NOT be. How in the world was I going to fix that? Good thing I have very muscular shoulders (I do some natural bodybuilding in my spare time too). The solution was that I needed to remove all the return edge for the shoulder bells anyway, in order to fit around my delts AND have the bicep armor fit up in there too. (See, there is a good side to "fit as you go")

[TK-Tom[501st]]

By the way, I only learned recently (a few days ago) that you are supposed to build the full kit totally, then fit it and make alterations. Good thing I only made circumference alterations while cutting parts, and not length adjustments. That comes with a full fitting I guess. Good info I wish I had before I began the journey. Would have saved me some sleepless nights.

Edited July 7, 2016 by TK-Tom

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Hey Tom looking good brother, if I may throw my two cents into the hat here. 

 

Regarding this statement "I never knew that you just build the entire kit as directed FIRST, then worry about fit". This is not necessarily true. The armor can be trimmed to fit a variety of shapes and sized bodies. Trimming and fitting sections correctly along the way actually simplifies the whole process and eliminates possibly having to redo a section. There are many build threads, not just Anovos that talk about this approach. I would encourage you to take a look at other build threads if you haven't done so already.   

 

​As for the asymmetrical look, this is normal, it's the design of the armor. 

 

Keep up the great work.   

[T K[501st]]

Glad to see you got the images working! Yep, I agree with Tony 100%. And I recommend always, always ask if you even think you have a question about anything in the build. If I just asked people when building mine I would have saved a lot of time. <br><br>

Looking good though!

[ukswrath[Staff]]

As for the helmet, if your goal is build the armor as accurately as possible may I make a few comments and suggestions. Starting with the ear gap, some is normal, as seen in the following reference picture of a screen used helmet.

 

 

Some eye flashing, also normal but we generally like to see less.

 

 

As for suggestions, Remove all overspray on the frown gum line and finish off the ends depending on which trooper you'll be emulating.

 

 

The ear screws should be "V" head, not the Anovos supplied pan head.

 

 And lastly, the hovi tip screens, they should be closer to a coarse weave. 

 

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Cheers

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Hey Tom looking good brother, if I may throw my two cents into the hat here. 

 

Regarding this statement "I never knew that you just build the entire kit as directed FIRST, then worry about fit". This is not necessarily true. The armor can be trimmed to fit a variety of shapes and sized bodies. Trimming and fitting sections correctly along the way actually simplifies the whole process and eliminates possibly having to redo a section. There are many build threads, not just Anovos that talk about this approach. I would encourage you to take a look at other build threads if you haven't done so already.   

 

​As for the asymmetrical look, this is normal, it's the design of the armor. 

 

Keep up the great work.   

 

Thx for the advice! I have been fitting "circumference-wise" as I go, but I was really tempted to trim the forearms for length before fitting the entire thing together. I will have to wait on that.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Tony,

 

I have replacement screws and hovi tips, for the helmet (the proper ones). My tips are actually going to be speakers and they came with the correct mesh. I was afraid the paint would have to come off the teeth...my painting skills leave something to be desired...as shown below...(I have since fixed this to look better - but the top blue button I lightly sanded before painting and it still is not perfect how I like it. but it works)

 

Edited July 7, 2016 by TK-Tom

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Tony,

 

I have replacement screws and hovi tips, for the helmet (the proper ones). My tips are actually going to be speakers and they came with the correct mesh. I was afraid the paint would have to come off the teeth...my painting skills leave something to be desired...as shown below...(I have since fixed this to look better - but the top blue button I lightly sanded before painting and it still is not perfect how I like it. but it works)

 

 

 

If you use a little paint thinner and ear or hobby swab you can get the overspray off without much harm to the teeth. This same technique can be used to clean the ab buttons as well, and btw it took me quite a few mess ups before I was able to paint decently, you'll notice I don't say perfectly lol 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Anovos sure did leave ALOT of material on the hand guards...had to cut these down drastically...

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

More trimming...spent alot of time on the belt sander after all parts were rough cut.

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Ye Olde WorkBench area...

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Removed all the forearm - wrist end return edges. The elbow end had to come down quite a bit also. This is a before shot.