Coach Lewis WIP Build

[CoachLewis]

INFORMATION:
1. First/last name: Matthew D. Lewis
2. Future Garrison/Squad/Outpost or local area- Red Dune Sea Garrison
3. Armor maker: Rob from Authentic Props, Canada
4. Helmet maker: Rob from Authentic Props, Canada
5. Cloth belt maker: Rob from Authentic Props, Canada
6. Neck seal maker: Rob from Authentic Props, Canada
7. Boot maker: Coshoes Etsy Store
9. Blaster maker (if applicable: 3DPogo Etsy Store
10. Gasket maker (if applicable)
11. Height (optional):5’11
12. weight (optional) 230 pounds
13. TK type (ANH Stunt/Hero. ESB, ROTJ. TFA etc.): ANH Stunt TK
14. Name(s) of any Trooper(s) who significantly helped with your build Steve:(Klaymorr)

I’ll be back with photos of Armor as I unpacked them. I haven’t destroyed all of them yet.

[CoachLewis]

Here are the armor parts out of the box from Authentic Props in Canada

[CoachLewis]

Here are the armor parts out of the box from Authentic Props in Canada. Arms

[CoachLewis]

[Hesikaya]

Looking good so far Coach. When you start to try stuff on be sure to wear the under suit / underarmor you would be wearing when you normally wear the outfit.

[GoofTrooper]

Just wondering how your build is going! Looking forward to seeing it all put together.

[Endotech]

Great job man , you did awesome work.

[CoachLewis]

TK WIP Photos#2 April 2
I think a definite improvement from set #1

[GoofTrooper]

Yes, looking good! The fit is looking much better now. Looks like once you fixed the problem with the belt the other problems were resolved as well. Are you planning on posting these over on whitearmor.net as well?

[Hesikaya]

Excellent point made by Gooftrooper, Do you also have a WIP on FISD? You can get a lot of feedback very quickly there. Also, what level are you going for on your build?

[CoachLewis]

Excellent point made by Gooftrooper, Do you also have a WIP on FISD? You can get a lot of feedback very quickly there. Also, what level are you going for on your build?

Yes I do. Feedback seems to be delayed a week or so, everything moves slower when waiting on comments. I am trying to prepare as much as possible for centurion. But, there are things I am still learning from a terminology standpoint. I just learned about making some comfort modifications. My thigh Armour pisses me off because I never feel it’s riding high enough.

[Hesikaya]

Post a link Coach! I tried to find it but couldn't.

[GoofTrooper]

Post a link Coach! I tried to find it but couldn't.

Here's his Pre-Approval Review thread

https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/ ... al-review/

[kayelbe]

One thing I saw touched on in your FISD thread is the belt. I don't think it was made clear (although Gooftrooper all but solved it for you):

The canvas belt is best as one piece, and is on screen I believe. On the plastic belt there are three small squares with a raised circular center. Those are informally called "Rivet Covers". They go over the rivets that connect the plastic with the canvas to hide them. Also mentioned was getting a belt with a plastic insert that keeps it all but perfectly rigid. Judging from your photos, I would think you have that as (for example) the Anovos kits didn't have the imbedded strip and the belt absolutely wrinkled without it--yours doesn't.

Overall, I'd agree your set is looking pretty good outside of the noted items.

[CoachLewis]

One thing I saw touched on in your FISD thread is the belt. I don't think it was made clear (although Gooftrooper all but solved it for you):

The canvas belt is best as one piece, and is on screen I believe. On the plastic belt there are three small squares with a raised circular center. Those are informally called "Rivet Covers". They go over the rivets that connect the plastic with the canvas to hide them. Also mentioned was getting a belt with a plastic insert that keeps it all but perfectly rigid. Judging from your photos, I would think you have that as (for example) the Anovos kits didn't have the imbedded strip and the belt absolutely wrinkled without it--yours doesn't.

Overall, I'd agree your set is looking pretty good outside of the noted items.

Yes, I think the first belt problems was an inexperienced wrangler. Once I went through the notes, and what she can look for, that was a big help.

[CoachLewis]

Post a link Coach! I tried to find it but couldn't.

https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/ ... al-review/

[Hesikaya]

Hey Coach!

I posted on your FISD Pre-Approvall but also wanted to point out a couple more things I am seeing over here.

Undersuit.
The material you are using for an undersuit looks like it bunches up and isn't snug. While the CRL doesn't say anything about how tight the material should be it may help with fitment, appearance, and definitely how hot you feel to go with something akin to underarmour. In your pictures it is bunching up around the arms and elbows and maybe the legs and rear end.

Should bell / straps
On some of your pictures your shoulder bells look like the tops are pretty far from your shoulders. Knowing you are going for level 3 you want that gap to be pretty minimal. I can see a white strap that appears to come off the shoulder bridge and attach to the black strap for your shoulder bell at about a 90 degreee angle. It may be helpful to have the snap for the bell in the strap that runs front to back and not as a separate piece to reduce the amount of play you get there.

The lower ends of the shoulder bells seem to stand off from your arms too. I don't know how much return edge you have on the inside bottom but this could also be from too much return edge or the bunching of the undersuit.

Shoulder straps
I mentioned in your FISD page too but the front of the shoulder straps should be fixed to the chest plate. Level one says velcrow etc but if you want to go for level 3 hit those with some E6000 or CA Glue. If you use CA just be sure they are exactly where they need to be and will not need adjusting later. CA is permanent where E6000 can be undone.

The backs of the shoulder straps should be free floating. I'm not sure if it is glue that is coming undone in the pictures or velcrow but you shouldn't have anything on the back side holding them down except a thin elastic.

Arms
There is a distinctly diferent size gap between the bicep and forearm on your left and the right. Do you have any strapping that goes between the two? Having a strap that attaches the bicep to the forearm will eliminate any movement especially the longer you troop.

Belt
I would strongly urge you to switch that belt to a one piece canvas belt. It will save stress on the plastic part and will do a better job of holding up your TD. Additionally when the back sags the ends on the front are peeking over your plastic belt.

[CoachLewis]

My first public practice, this is where you learn some stuff.
1st- my thighs are too muscular, busted the seam.
2nd- turn on my helmet fans before the troop event is over
3rd-WTF rubber gloves in AZ. My hands are dehydrated.
4th- Learn why audio is having so much feedback.
5th- hydration delivery needs a straw.

[Hesikaya]

That's all very true.

Are your thighs too tight at the top? That may also explain the difficult you're having getting them to stay up where you want them. Adding another strip like your cover strip to the inside of the thighs can help with reinforcement to keep them from coming apart.

You'll definitely want different gloves for everyday trooping. Rubber gloves in Arizona will make your fingers swim. If it's an official LFL event you'll want to wear them. Otherwise I reserved mine only for indoor events where I'm able to tolerate them a little better on account of the air conditioning.

Feedback on the audio could be a couple issues. Perhaps the volume being too loud and not enough in the way between the speaker and mic to block the sound waves getting back to the mic.

You definitely want to Pre-hydrate. What do you have going on for a hydration system?

[kayelbe]

Gloves: Get a pair of "Parade Gloves" to wear underneath. They're cotton and will wick the sweat.

[Endotech]

Great TK costume, Hope to see you soon. We sure need another white TK.

[CoachLewis]