Andrew's First Build - WTF ANH Stunt TK

[djmatrix09[TK]]

Cleaned up the ears, and now I'm working the thermal detonator. After trimming the control panel and caps, I noticed I received two different sized caps.

 

Walt had recently redesigned his caps to fit the pipe better, and this kit happened to have one of each, smaller and larger. In the pic you can see the little guy nested into the larger one.

 

Sent him a PM, WTF is pretty awesome about their communications, he sent me a sent of hovi screens asap when they weren't included. Not worried. It'll give me a chance to breathe, take a break and get to my honey-do list.

Edited June 25, 2017 by djmatrix09

[CableGuy[TK]]

Okay, so I was chatting with my CO about the ear gaps and he recommended I speak with our GML regarding the ear gaps. Jason was super informative, and I've decided to try trimming the round ear caps to suck up the gap a little more.

 

We also talked about the eyes and the return flange. Now some photos have extra material, and some don't. It may be a matter of more peripheral vision if I disassemble and fox, but I've got a pass if I don't. Thanks again to the Carolina Jasons!

 

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Hi Andrew,

You're right about the eyes. They can very a bit. Yours look very reminiscent of the "move along" trooper. Looking good so far. :-)

 

 

 

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

My helmet fans came in from Henry's Helmet Fans. I ran to Lowe's to get some plastic electrical conduit and some velcro tabs. Totally awesome rig, I can't wait to install it. Tricky part is, I have a GIANT noggin so I need to figure out where they go without slicing off the tip of my nose each time I put my bucket on.

 

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

Got the fans installed, just right. I had to practice getting it on and off to figure out where to put them in the bucket. My hugenormous head wouldn't allow for some other fan placement configurations, so this will have to do. I can fit my noggin in there sideways, then follow my nose along the cheek area, just under the left side fan. Lol

 

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

Walt got back to me in less than a week!  Totally awesome.  Got it painted, used a few light coats of satin grey, 10min apart.  Worked like a charm.  My pilot holes and pressure relief hole behind the control plate allowed the replacement cap to slide right on.

 

Edited December 26, 2017 by djmatrix09

[shashachu[TK]]

Ooh. I have a WTF kit and also got one big and one small cap. Didn't think about contacting him for a replacement... 

[djmatrix09[TK]]

Whoohoo! Tapatalk integration is working again. Fantastic.

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

After a long hiatus, I'm back to trimming out my armor. It's been tough getting back to my researched threads since the overhaul. A lot of great build images are no longer hosted. But I've found a few more to reference, so here goes my first major armor trim, the shoulder bells:

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[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Agreed, so many great images have been lost with the photobucket fiasco, research is the key and looks like you are doing well, keep up the good work.

[djmatrix09[TK]]

Took some time last night to rough trim the biceps and forearms. Boy... Woke up this morning and my hands hurt. Better take it easy, and trim a little at a time. I'd hate to be the guy who got carpal tunnel trimming white plastic space trooper armor. Lolol

 

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

Quite literally the most snaps I've ever set in my life. And this is just the male ones! Wow...

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[68Brick[TK]]

Snaps and E6000 are your two new best friends. 

Edited September 27, 2017 by 68Brick

[djmatrix09[TK]]

I was fortunate to make it out to an armor party yesterday. So thankful for all the help and tips, and especially the encouragement and comraderie. I'm well on my way!

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[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

The help of a few with experience can definitely help the build along

[djmatrix09[TK]]

Wow! It's been a long time since I dusted off my armor kit! My wife and I just moved into a new place, so I've been trying to to get the garage and workbench sorted. She's also 9mo pregnant, so making baby preparations has been on the top of our to-do list. I trimmed our the forearms and assembled the cover strips. Next up is the final assembly of the forearms.

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[TheSwede[TK]]

Step by step closer to become a Stormtrooper and sending best baby-wishes

[djmatrix09[TK]]

I got the biceps trimmed and the first cover strip edge installed on each. Clamps and clamps and magnets and magnets!

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

Shins partially assembled. I wanted to do the front cover strip on each first, then I'll line up, temp fasten with blue tape and figure out my aft cut lines. Going with industrial velcro, as suggested by ShaSha.

 

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

Lots of progress today! I got the snaps glued in, attached the sniper knee and got the front cover strips installed onto the thighs. For the sniper knee, one of my 501st buddies recommended shimming with a couple layers of abs. This rotates the sniper knee slightly, so it doesn't cut into your kneecap during troops.

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

More progress, started with the thighs and getting them trimmed and ready for assembly. I was a bit nervous because I have pretty large thighs, and there was just barely enough material to sneak them in with the cover strips. I also broke out the paints again and painted the ab plate buttons. My build is touch and go, and my order of assembly is all over the place. Mostly due to my wife about ready to have our baby! This build is helping me deal with the nerves, for sure.

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Edited December 23, 2017 by djmatrix09

[Steaditrooper[TK]]

Your build is looking good. I have large thighs too. I completed the front seem with the cover strip first and then worked on shaping them at the back. It was much easier for me than trying to fit front and back at the same time. Congrats on the soon to be baby!

 

p.s. being a dad is awesome and really fun. 

[djmatrix09[TK]]

Before we continue... Cheers!

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

Got the top double snaps installed, and I boiled the bridges and ammo pouch to bend. Also installed back cover strips on the thighs.

 

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

Headed to the fabric store to get all my elastic. Literally the most elastic I've ever purchased. Installed the Joann app, and got 30% off my order!

 

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[djmatrix09[TK]]

For those interested, this print hanging at my workbench is from Tony at Run Riot Media:

 

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