PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Hello Pathfinders, I am new to Costuming but have dreamed of being an ROTJ: Scout Trooper for well over 10 years. Time and Finances have never worked together. When I had the time, I didn't have the finances, etc. Now I have a little of both. My wife and I have worked to kick start the process by acquiring quite a few of the pieces needed: Armor: Walt's Trooper Factory (Helmet, etc.) Flight Suit: Wampa Wear, Tailoring by Tye Rocks Gloves: Wampa Wear Cumberbund/Pouches/Cod Piece: Tye Rocks Boots: Tye Rocks Flak Vest: Etsy EC-17: Etsy I know adjustments are necessary and will begin posting photos of my equipment both worn and separately to get any feedback you can provide to assist in Level I certification. I thank you in advance for the assistance. I've been reading over the forums for days and have already found so much information, tips, techniques, etc. that it is a little overwhelming. Already I must Thank CHOPPER for pointing me in the right direction to even get started. PatLFree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Welcome Patrick. Please let us know how we can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Welcome to the Pathfinders! I got started after my wife took me to a bookstore and I met the 501st for the first time and was floored. It took me a bit of time, money, and courage to get started but I haven’t looked back since. Chopper is a first rate armorer with in-depth knowledge of this costume and is a fantastic resource to help you along. We’re here to help you be successful so please don’t hesitate to reach out should you need anything! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 Thank you, Retro and Chopper. I am in the process of taking pics of what I have right now. Will be posting Imgur links shortly. I am highly encouraged by the sense of community I witnessed on the forums. Glad to take the first baby steps to join. Looking forward to the feedback. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 Well, here goes the pics. This first is Arms/Legs pieces: https://imgur.com/a/cF0YdUE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Hey Pat, you want to use the BBCode link option on imgur for linking images. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 This is the "finished" helmet: https://imgur.com/a/KUjCJHA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 Here are the Chest/Back: https://imgur.com/a/HwRZPcn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 Here's the Soft parts: https://imgur.com/a/KfPNn99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 And the almost assembled product (still a work in process): https://imgur.com/a/XQDwVmZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 6 minutes ago, Chopper said: Hey Pat, you want to use the BBCode link option on imgur for linking images. Hey Chopper, I didn't see your note until just a few minutes ago, but hopefully I corrected the issue and you can access the pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 I will defer to @Chopper , as I know he'll be looking over your pics, but one of things I notice is that your thigh boxes are much too low. You'll look much better bringing those up to 1"-2" (2.5cm - 5cm) from the bottom of the belt. You should be very proud of what you've accomplished so far. Keep up the great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 54 minutes ago, Retrofire said: I will defer to @Chopper , as I know he'll be looking over your pics, but one of things I notice is that your thigh boxes are much too low. You'll look much better bringing those up to 1"-2" (2.5cm - 5cm) from the bottom of the belt. You should be very proud of what you've accomplished so far. Keep up the great work! Hey Retro, Thank you for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I will follow your trusted advice and look forward to more tips on refining my kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 Hey Pat, you're pretty close with your build. I have just a few refinement comments after looking at your photos, see below. Try and bring your shoulder bells in slightly. Also, they're rotated backwards a bit. They should sit about evenly on the side. Your belt is dropping in the front. Consider putting some velcro inside the belt and sewing some velcro onto your cod or bund to help keep it in place. If you can, I'd let out some of the tension on the crotch strap for your codpiece -- that's part of what's causing the "cod crunchies" in your photo. As Retrofire said, your dropboxes are quite low. I'd bring them up so that they're about 2" from the sides of your belt if you can. I don't see a detonator on the back of your belt. Are you still working on that part? Once you get the detonator fitted, try and move the back attachment straps outwards slightly, if you can. I do want to note that those are some really large shoulder bridge covers. The specifications for how wide they should be is under Level 2, but I do recommend trying for something a littler narrower than what you have -- typically the bridges are about 1" wide. I am not familiar with Tye Rocks as a boot maker. I recommend that you check and see how your GML feels about your boot height. To me they look short, but check with your GML first to see where they're at with them. That's all I have for now. Keep working on it and we'll get you feedback as soon as we are able. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 1 hour ago, Chopper said: Hey Pat, you're pretty close with your build. I have just a few refinement comments after looking at your photos, see below. Try and bring your shoulder bells in slightly. Also, they're rotated backwards a bit. They should sit about evenly on the side. Your belt is dropping in the front. Consider putting some velcro inside the belt and sewing some velcro onto your cod or bund to help keep it in place. If you can, I'd let out some of the tension on the crotch strap for your codpiece -- that's part of what's causing the "cod crunchies" in your photo. As Retrofire said, your dropboxes are quite low. I'd bring them up so that they're about 2" from the sides of your belt if you can. I don't see a detonator on the back of your belt. Are you still working on that part? Once you get the detonator fitted, try and move the back attachment straps outwards slightly, if you can. I do want to note that those are some really large shoulder bridge covers. The specifications for how wide they should be is under Level 2, but I do recommend trying for something a littler narrower than what you have -- typically the bridges are about 1" wide. I am not familiar with Tye Rocks as a boot maker. I recommend that you check and see how your GML feels about your boot height. To me they look short, but check with your GML first to see where they're at with them. That's all I have for now. Keep working on it and we'll get you feedback as soon as we are able. Hey Chopper, good evening and thank you for the informative feedback. 1. I am still working on the Thermal Detonator, as well as the pouches. I apologize for not mentioning the TD earlier. 2. I have begun my adjustments to raise the drop boxes and will send follow up pics once they are complete. 3. Thanks for the tips on both the low-slung belt and the bridge flaps. I will make the appropriate adjustments. 4. I will reach out to the Everglades GML to get their take on the height of the boots. I too had concerns after looking in the Wiki about the length. That's why I haven't attached the holster yet. With my updated Marching Orders, I can begin my refinements. Thanks to you and Retro for the guidance. Will check in soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeputt Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 It's great to have you, welcome to the forest brotherSent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeputt Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 From the images, everything looks good so far!Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 4 minutes ago, Jakeputt said: It's great to have you, welcome to the forest brother Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk Hey Jake, thanks for the welcome. Glad to be here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 18 hours ago, PatLFree said: Hey Chopper, good evening and thank you for the informative feedback. 1. I am still working on the Thermal Detonator, as well as the pouches. I apologize for not mentioning the TD earlier. 2. I have begun my adjustments to raise the drop boxes and will send follow up pics once they are complete. 3. Thanks for the tips on both the low-slung belt and the bridge flaps. I will make the appropriate adjustments. 4. I will reach out to the Everglades GML to get their take on the height of the boots. I too had concerns after looking in the Wiki about the length. That's why I haven't attached the holster yet. With my updated Marching Orders, I can begin my refinements. Thanks to you and Retro for the guidance. Will check in soon. Chopper, I reached out to the FL501st GML to get his feedback on the boot length. He agreed they appeared to short. He commented that the tubes should come up to just about the bottom of the knee armor. Good call on that one. I have added it to my list of refinements. Thanks again for all of your assistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Posted February 15, 2022 Share Posted February 15, 2022 No problem Pat. Glad that you could get that clarified at the local level as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 14 hours ago, Jakeputt said: From the images, everything looks good so far! Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk Hey Jake, sorry about the delayed response to this, it slipped by me. Thank you for the compliment, I appreciate it. Looking forward to making the refinements suggested by Chopper and Retro and the FL501st GML. Will then be able to join the ranks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 Good Afternoon, Thank you all for the good tips and guidance as I assemble my kit. Based on the prior feedback, I have been working on updating the Tubes. These are higher and come much closer to the Knee Armor. I am about to add the Holster to the Right one and will update the pics at that time. Take a look and let me know what you think so far? https://imgur.com/a/Xkilk6g All comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks, Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Looks much better. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatLFree Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 12 minutes ago, Chopper said: Looks much better. Nice work. Thank you,Chopper. Will now add the holster. Any guidance on how far from the top it should be? I was thinking a 1/2”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Going off the CRL image, about a 1/2" looks to be in the right ballpark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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