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

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Finally, the final gluing before a full fitting...

 

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

I did try my thighs on last night, to make sure I had the suspension setup aligned correctly. It is but when walking about, the Right Thigh felt loose, like it would fall off me if not for the suspension rig. So I am sure I will have to trim a little more off the back side, about 1/4" each side. 

 

I am hoping my list of adjustments, after the first full fitting, will be a SHORT list. 

[kman[TK]]

Don't know exactly how loose it is with out a pic (or video), but the thighs are supposed to be able to move freely. I would wait until you can try the entire kit on, and post pics, before you hack off any more plastic.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

I though of using foam in it if necessary as well. But won't do anything until my full fitting. Thx Kman~

[TK-Tom[501st]]

BTW, my Left Thigh moves freely but seems more snug and secure.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Any armor section that floats will be your saving grace in hot weather or when making specific movements. Like Kalani mentioned foam is your best bet before hacking any more plastic. 

[sylverbard[TK]]

You want loose. You want to be a to pad the backs of thighs and front of shins to prevent ninja sniper plates. You want airflow throughout the plastic spaceman.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Ok, In that case, maybe my Left is a little too snug, but we'll see when I suit up. Then I can get professional opinions from you guys!

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Sniper Plate done, hope its in the right alignment...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Tonight was going to be my first full fitting, but will have to wait one more "wake-up". Will get it done tomorrow AM and post pics for professional opinions~ Really excited to try it out, but also pretty nervous that my "tweak" list may be excessively long. Hurry up and wait, just like the Imperial Military. 

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Sniper knee looks great though I'd taper it down a bit on the right side, following the armor line.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

You mean the top edge? I can just trim that correct? Because the bottom edge looks like it follows the edge fine.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

You mean the top edge? I can just trim that correct? Because the bottom edge looks like it follows the edge fine.

 

Correct. Top edge, right side

 

[TK-Tom[501st]]

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Ok everybody, here we go. Be gentle ;-) I have already started a "Tweak List" but let me know what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Excellent!

 

Before you submit any 501st pictures please remove the hand cuffs, they're not accepted as an accessory.

 

Quick glance, suggestions...

 

1) Paint the Thermal Detonator screws black. L2 suggested, L3 required

2) Try to keep the biceps aligned. You may need to add a connecting strap to the shoulder bell if you haven't done so already. L2 & L3 suggested

3) Minimal to no gap between the kidney and back plate. L3 & L3 suggested (your's aren't that bad)

4) Foam behind the lower left thigh to prevent sniper knee contact. L2 suggestion

5) Install lower bell straps, to prevent them from flaring out. If you haven't done so already, 

6) Extend the frown, L3 required

7) Replace Hovi screens, L3 highly suggested

8) Hard to tell with these image but you may want to remove more eye socket return edge

[kman[TK]]

Great job, Tom, you're looking good! Considering how good you're looking on your first fitting, I'm starting to wonder how much you were yanking our chain with the many "problems" you had, LOL! (I kid, of course, I know it's scary and frustrating at times... but you've done very well)

 

I agree with Tony's list. Also, you might want to pull your biceps slightly higher (not much, just a little), only if that will pull your forearms up a bit so they're not quite as low on the back of your hand? That left arm in particular seems a touch low.

 

Perhaps round off (slightly!) the peaks at the back of the thighs (just a little!), as we discussed before, to help them not hit the butt plate quite as much.

 

A little foam just inside the knee below the sniper plate, and a little foam in the back of the same thigh (#4 on Tony's list), to pull the front in, can help stop that overlap.

 

And finally, I note your left shin armor is starting to drift up a bit (which contributes to the sniper plate overlap). This is a common problem, with a lot of different solutions. One solution is here, in this thread: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/35329-howto-keeping-tk-shins-in-place/I've also seen people put some industrial velcro right on the front top leather of their boots (about 1" of the soft stuff) and then put the matching scratchy part inside the front of the shin armor. That stops the shins from working their way up. There are a bunch of other ways you may have stumbled across, too, so use whatever seems best / most convenient to you.

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Not sure why my pictures come out so huge here. on Facebook they are fine. Here they are so huge they look grainy. I link from IMGUR

 

1) Paint the Thermal Detonator screws black. L2 suggested, L3 required

I "painted" the screws with thick sharpie, so they are black, but they sure don't look like it in these pics.

 

2) Try to keep the biceps aligned. You may need to add a connecting strap to the shoulder bell if you haven't done so already. L2 & L3 suggested

I am going to add bicep clips to keep them aligned and to keep them up. They kept coming down from the shoulder bells

 

3) Minimal to no gap between the kidney and back plate. L3 & L3 suggested (your's aren't that bad)

I have the gap as minimal as I can, I think. I do have a little longer elastic in those Back to Kidney brackets, so i can try to go back to the 1" lengths and see

 

4) Foam behind the lower left thigh to prevent sniper knee contact. L2 suggestion

Will put that in, was going to put some foam in front shin, behind sniper plate as well.

 

5) Install lower bell straps, to prevent them from flaring out. If you haven't done so already, 

I have lower bell elastic straps already in place, they just did not keep the biceps in place and up. Thus my need for clips.

 

6) Extend the frown, L3 required

Will repaint frown

 

7) Replace Hovi screens, L3 highly suggested

Already on my list

 

8) Hard to tell with these image but you may want to remove more eye socket return edge

Yes, I still have to work on the helmet. Eye flash is definitely on my list. I also want to plastidip it, and I have to add fans, cushions, wireless mic and I will be changing the ear screws and painting them white

 

 

Thx for these tips, I really appreciate it!

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Great job, Tom, you're looking good! Considering how good you're looking on your first fitting, I'm starting to wonder how much you were yanking our chain with the many "problems" you had, LOL! (I kid, of course, I know it's scary and frustrating at times... but you've done very well)

 

I agree with Tony's list. Also, you might want to pull your biceps slightly higher (not much, just a little), only if that will pull your forearms up a bit so they're not quite as low on the back of your hand? That left arm in particular seems a touch low.

 

Perhaps round off (slightly!) the peaks at the back of the thighs (just a little!), as we discussed before, to help them not hit the butt plate quite as much.

 

A little foam just inside the knee below the sniper plate, and a little foam in the back of the same thigh (#4 on Tony's list), to pull the front in, can help stop that overlap.

 

And finally, I note your left shin armor is starting to drift up a bit (which contributes to the sniper plate overlap). This is a common problem, with a lot of different solutions. One solution is here, in this thread: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/35329-howto-keeping-tk-shins-in-place/I've also seen people put some industrial velcro right on the front top leather of their boots (about 1" of the soft stuff) and then put the matching scratchy part inside the front of the shin armor. That stops the shins from working their way up. There are a bunch of other ways you may have stumbled across, too, so use whatever seems best / most convenient to you.

 

 

Thx KMan for these tips. Honest, I wasn't lying about all my struggles :-)

 

Now, about the rear thigh peaks. If I round those off, that will force me to remove the return edge in that location but no where else, Will that be a problem? Also, I will have to trim some of the cover strip off and trim the corners again. Not a problem though.

[kman[TK]]

Thx KMan for these tips. Honest, I wasn't lying about all my struggles :-)

 

Now, about the rear thigh peaks. If I round those off, that will force me to remove the return edge in that location but no where else, Will that be a problem? Also, I will have to trim some of the cover strip off and trim the corners again. Not a problem though.

I know you weren't lying, I was just kidding.

 

No problem about the thigh return edge. Just taper it off smoothly so it looks nice.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Thx KMan for these tips. Honest, I wasn't lying about all my struggles :-)

 

Now, about the rear thigh peaks. If I round those off, that will force me to remove the return edge in that location but no where else, Will that be a problem? Also, I will have to trim some of the cover strip off and trim the corners again. Not a problem though.

 

You'll know more about your armor fitment once you troop in it. Everyone is different, what works for me or Kman may not work for you. Besides the required these are merely suggestion coming from experience. Take your time, trial things out, make adjustment, start over.  

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Does anyone know how I can make my photos not so huge when posting here?

[TK-Tom[501st]]

Ok so eye flash is gone, and I removed the teeth paint to fix that...

 

 

 

I was going to PlastiDip the bucket, but am having 2nd thoughts. Even though I prepped it. I think I will hold off for now.

 

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Does anyone know how I can make my photos not so huge when posting here?

 

Try cutting image size in half

 

Ok so eye flash is gone, and I removed the teeth paint to fix that...

 

 

I was going to PlastiDip the bucket, but am having 2nd thoughts. Even though I prepped it. I think I will hold off for now.

 

 

 

Nice job on the eyes and frown.

[kman[TK]]

Why second thoughts on painting the helmet? I really don't see much downside to it.