RZill

I don't have an extra one to modify, anyway, but if I can find a beater one, I'm sure my GML would allow it. Thanks!

Maybe a silly question, but I thought I read somewhere a while back that the vintage Kenner toy pistol was actually pretty close to being pass-able for trooping, provided it's painted, of course. Is this true?

Confirmation on width of lower strap for the knee armor. A Lancer build thread says 20-25mm (1 inch) can be used. My kit only came with enough of the 1 inch strap (25mm) to do the upper arms, but not enough for both upper arms and knees. However, it did come with plenty of 20mm strap - if that is acceptable for the lower strap of the knees. OOPS, I just now looked at the CRL, and it does say the lower strap is either 12mm or 20mm. I will trust the CRL. Also, since I am taking my jump suit to a tailor tomorrow in order to have it altered (it is too short from the crotch to the shoulders, and I am hoping I can get it lengthened), I may look into starting the helmet, since I won't have the suit for a while in order to size the body armor correctly.

Questions on the strapping: 1. Sew the elastic over the knee armor, or use a velcro method? 2. One Lancer build thread had the glued on zip tie anchor method to attach shoulders to the back/chest bridge. A friend of mine in the Michigan garrison simply has self adhesive velcro holding up the shoulder bells. Are these all personal preference, if I don't care about being Lancer?

I don't see any measurements on the couple of build threads I am following. Precisely where does this bottom rivet go? How many mm from the bottom tip of the tank?

Last question of the evening - the rivet that goes into the tank topper, does this have the washer on TOP of the tank topper? It looks like in the photo that the washer is showing on top of the tank topper. Would I also put a washer underneath? There may not be room for it underneath with all the layers of plastic between.

My GML says no problem. But, we're getting a new one in five days, so hopefully they don't care, either. I'm thinking it's like some back parts of the TK, especially when it's pointing toward the ground, anyway - nobody really sees it, unless I am bent over while riding a speeder bike like this guy!

Thanks so much!

The bottom portion of the tank that seems to cup its way over the back plate does not cup all the way down on mine. I haven't done any modifications to it, and there is about a 5 mm gap from the tip of the tank to where it appears is supposed to cover the bottom of the back plate. I can't see how I can make it fit all the way down without shaving so much off that it messes with the shape of the tank. Should I just leave it and rivet it on as is? Am I being too nit picky about these issues?

Thanks. What about blasters? Praetorian blaster doesn't answer their messages anymore. I've tried finding a thread about blasters, but can't seem to find any links to the actual blaster makers.

Told you there would be a thousand questions! Next one - My tank topper... am I supposed to drill a hole in the cirlced area? Paint it? My decal sheet doesn't have a specific one for this white part, but I suppose I could cut one out of the decal backing and stick it there. Thoughts?

Now that I am feeling better, I am going to go by the Pandatrooper build thread. I want the rivets to be screen accurate, but not concerned with being all Lancer at this stage. That aside, I'll be needing a blaster. Thoughts?

Much appreciated, brother! No need to apologize - as a former Health teacher, I was always long winded on my lectures about hydration. Can't be too careful

Still waiting on test results - they should be in today. If it is covid, the worst is over, I think. I was very weak, tired, achy for a couple days, but started coming out of it yesterday. Not 100%, and now I have been coughing up some lung cookies, but doesn't feel serious. I just want this finished by the time the ICC Con arrives. Not sure if you're a vintage Star Wars collector, but the IC is a huge FB group of vintage collectors. So big, that the founder has started his own Con, and Anthony Daniels and Ian McDiarmid will be there this year - it's in April. We are usually requested to troop it, and I went last year now that I've moved to Tennessee (the con is in Nashville). Plus, the Biker outfit is quite warm, I would imagine, and not great for summer troops around here. Thanks again!

Yeah, you may as well send me some. I have been sick lately, and not able to work on my armor, so I don't have enough extra material to make the paste. Sending you a pm.

Much obliged and appreciated! However, there is an Ace on my way to work - a bit out of the way, but I can pick them up there. Thanks, though

I used to live near Ace Hardware stores in Michigan. In TN, I only have an Ace Co-Op near me. They sell some Ace products, but not as much as a regular store. I'll check them out. Thanks!

The rivets you linked me to say they are aluminum grip and steel mandrel - is the steel mandrel ok?

Wow, absolutely terrific advice - thanks!!!

How many, and what size rivets go on this armor, total? My kit did not come with any, and the tutorial I am looking at just says that rivets came with his kit... there may be a mention of them elsewhere, but this is an easier way to find out! Plus, I want to put rivets on my TK, anyway, so I may be purchasing a rivet gun.

Possibly. It will be a couple weeks before I get to it. I bought acetone today, and I have some scrap from my TK armor. But, I will maybe get more scrap from this armor once I try on the back and chest pieces to see if I need to cut any. I'll let you know, thanks!

Since I will be running the strap through the bottom slot, it may not be necessary to cover the middle of the top slot (at least, not perfectly). But, I don't want the sides of that top slot to show where the strap won't cover. Thanks!

I only need a tiny amount, but not sure I have enough scrap material to make even that much. I had kept all of my TK armor scraps until I moved from MI to TN over a year ago. I may need some if you can send just enough for me to cover about the size of what is shown in the attached pic. I accidentally cut the strip slot on top before I realized I wanted it on the bottom, and I MAY have enough to make just that much paste. Most of it will be covered by the strap, but I don't want holes showing on the sides that the strap won't cover.

Excellent, thank you! I will certainly keep that window open while I am building. Alas, I've already screwed up one part - I cut a strap slit in the wrong place, and have to come up with something to cover it up. It will mostly be covered by the strap once it's on, but I don't want it to be noticeable.

Thanks! This is why I love the 501st - you are so helpful. Much appreciated. I got my boots and gloves, and have only the back and chest to do as far as carving out the strap slots. Slowly, but surely! We have a big troop in April, and I want to have this done by then. I have a TK, but want to have thos one there for the Emperor himself (Ian McDiarmid).