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Awesome work, congrats on getting it finished and commiserations for not winning, but you are a winner, you have taken on a project with little build info and you have come out the other side mostly unscathed (apart from some loss of sanity and armor bites) Congratulations

work in progress!! Hi All! Doing some research on helmet add-in's. Just wanted to throw together a list and see if anyone else knew of any others, or could give opinions. Not in any particular order. Tagging sources and sellers if they're on FISD, since we always want to support our own! Noting location where possible since it will affect shipping times and possibly taxes. Working list as I continue to gather more options and get more info. I plan on building a Fem7 (not 501st approved!) so space is key, so I will personally be more interested in space saving options, but will put as much info in here so others can refer if needed. Prices are not included, since prices can change due to costs, location, etc. UPDATE: 2020 JULY 8TH Going to slightly deep dive microphones and speakers, since I think this could potentially help those of us who are having difficulty being heard while wearing face masks. They will be detailed under VIII I. Fans (keep cool, prevent lens fogging) A. @ukswrath Stormtrooper Cooling system - USA California based - comes with battery pack, or get a power bank - option of a personalized 'bracket'; to mount 2 or 4 fans B. @CTID Troopacoola - UK based - just mount (some supplies included), and get a power bank - optional fan speed options C. @NeoNines First Order Concepts Rathtar - USA California based - powered by AAA batteries - use of little tubes to aim airflow at specific areas D. Trooper Tronix - optional rechargeable usb power units E. @StrmTRPR85 Fan Boys - USA Ohio based - optional control speed of fans - optional power on/off switch - optional power bank - has option of smaller fans: 35 x 35 x 10 mm F. Henry's Helmet Fans (also on FB, very responsive) - USA Washington based - has 3 different size options by request (smallest is 30mm) - depending on kit, has switch options, and 3D printing directions for directing air flow - needs power bank G. Make your own out of snow, that's a true SnowTrooper! 1. mini fans 2. power supply F. Only troop during blizzards II. Audio (hear the outside) A. @ukswrath Stormtrooper Hearing Assist (FISD) - USA California based - amp + 2 mikes + power; supply own speakers/earphones - option of purchasing 2 small flat speakers to put in the helmet B. Make your own 1. mini microphone(s) on outside (recommend in ear pieces) 2. amplifier 3. earphones or internal speakers C. Hope everyone speaks like Bernie Sanders III. Speakers (let others hear you) A. @ukswrath various audio systems B. Make your own 1. microphone 2. external speaker C. Do your best John Bercow impression... but say "First Ordah" instead of just "Ordah"! IV. Voice Changers (sound like the character, add radio static and clicks) A. @pwhitrowTRamp > note that due to size, cannot be placed in helmet unless it's Spaceballs bucket - UK based - comes with speaker, charge directly - option of keyfob control for voice clips, option fingertip buttons - not small, needs to be placed outside helmet - customize microSD on computer, need adapter B. @lerxstrulzTK-Talkie - USA, Texas based - need speaker, mic, power - lots of customization on phone app B. @TK6294iComm and shop (link in FISD thread is dead) - USA, Texas based - need speaker, mic, power - no background loops or sound bites - note that iComm itself has its own internal battery, which will die > mod to use external battery by @Sly11 C. @TK256 FX/ROM > no longer active, putting for archival purposes and thank you for your service D. @BrinkHouse*TrooperTalk > iOS based boooooo! Android is better!! - through iPhone so location is non-issue - needs mic, speaker, and splitter to connect all elements - highly customizable, since it's an app they probably will push the updates directly E. DIY using radios (See VII. D. for a great build) F. Take an acting class V. Chatter and sound bites A. *MiCom (FISD?) - USA based? - comes with battery, and palm-strapped remote with 8 buttons - need speaker B. @ukswrath probably has something the dude's like a one trooper bazaar C. Build your own 1. sound storage (phone or mp3 player) 2. speakers 3. optional: splitter (depends on what sound storage device is used) 3. optional: trigger item (PTT button, control gloves, etc) VI. Build your own A. Power supply options [credit @sharkbait breakdown of options in a short blurb, plus a longer explanation] 1. option: USB charged power banks 2. option: 9V 3. option: rechargeables B. Speaker options 1. Your own use (hear what's outside the bucket) a. option: mini speakers b. option: earbuds 2. to broadcast a. option: large speaker, placed on body b. option: small speaker, placed in helmet C. Microphones 1. option: wired - no need to worry about charge - depending other elements, may need to wire through clothes - depending other elements, can still be contained in bucket, but interior planning is a must 2. option: wireless - free of wires, bucket is easily removed without breaking image - power supply is to be considered - consider how connected (such as bluetooth) 3. option: throat mic - no concern over bucket space, can be hidden under clothing - consider ease of switching on/off when bucket is not worn - consider ease of use: throat mics need to be optimally positioned, and are affected by body hair and fat on the neck area D. Fans E. Voice changing or sound bites F. Padding VII. Recognizing awesome builds A. PatchBOTS Youtube - arduino based, puts in speakers, mic, audio, fan, lights, uses ROM/FX Board B. @MissionTrooper Troopduino - arduino based, voicechanger. He also has some shots of his fan build below, and is generous in providing the STL for 3D printed pieces C. @cjdesign DIY USB Helmet fan - what it says on the tin D. @TKedt static burst walkie talkie talk - uses 2 traditional walkie-talkies to voice change, amplify, and ability to speak privately with troop/handler E. @usaeatt2 TK Helmet Interior Assembly - absolutely beautiful interior design build that is screen accurate, using their own kit F. Not helmet related, but wanted to salute @Ruthar for his build on making armor Insulin Pump friendly G. @kamikaze Super clean helmet electronics/interior build - what it says on the tin, woooow that's clean H. @sharkbait gives a great breakdown of basic diy helmet below, but direct link here I. @themaninthesuitcase has an overview of diy fans below, direct link here VIII. Face Mask considerations A. Microphone Consider pickup location: is microphone is outside or inside the mask, or a throat mic Outside: May possibly be muffled, depending on distance to face. Would not have to deal with breathing noises or humidity. Inside: Will not be muffled, but will have to deal with breathing and humidity. Throat: sound pickup and humidity issues side stepped, but throat mics are inherently difficulty with placement. Consider connections: wired or unwired Wired: most stable, and will not require extra charging. However, wires will need to be tucked away, will need to be sanitized, and are a possible air leak or contamination risk depending on placement. Unwired: contamination and air leak avoided. Mic will need to be charged separately, and will need to be paired Consider contamination risk (may be more important for essential workers or those who have to wear for long periods of time) Consider ease of sanitation 1. Earset - can be outside or inside mask, though inside may be more difficult - possibly will interfere with ear loops (if wearing a bandanna or using ear savers, may not be an issue) 2. Headset - can be outside or inside mask, though inside may be more difficult - will definitely be more likely to interfere with masks and bandannas, depending on placement of band 3. Lavalier 2. Throat B. Speaker Consider placement Consider power C. Useful Links/videos/builds 1. @MissionTrooper recommended watching build of Adam Savage modifying a small lavaliere mic into glasses - Microphone is from the company Countryman, and specifically is the B6 lavaliere mic, which has a very small profile - Countryman does have other laveliere mics that are not as eyewatering, such as the EMW lavaliere mic, which is about half the price of the B6

1. Name - Frederick Marlow 2. Future Garrison/Squad/Outpost or local area - Canadian Garrison 3. Armor maker - Authentic Props 4. Helmet maker - Authentic Props 5. Cloth belt maker - Authentic Props 6. Neck seal maker - Soulart 7. Boot maker - Imperial Boots 8. Height 5' 11" 9. Blaster maker - Quest Design Canada 10. Weight 95kg 11. TK type - ANH Stunt 12. Name(s) of any Trooper(s) who significantly helped with your build. Alex Kung

I'm the one on the right. Ab section is now too big since I lost weight. Figured out the leg bruises issue...thigh pieces are too long. Forearm pieces are just a little too long also. I've got some work to do! Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Thank you very much Joseph. Appreciate it. The thigh Ammo I painted, so that is done now. You can see it in the close up pictures that I posted. I noticed it after I took the photos. The ear screws hahahaha Damn I missed that. hahaha thank you. I will realign the Thigh Ammo asap. I finished this two months ago but was gone for work. So a few things slipped past me. So will get to the changes asap. Thank you again very much.

Looks MUCH better, thanks. Sanding that area down with some high-grit (600+) sandpaper and polishing it would smooth it out even more. Be with ya' shortly!

Awesome!! Keep up the good work!

Great work, the weathering is coming out great, something got be said about going old school with tooth paste

Tackled the bucket today and while super nervous to start with, I'm super happy with the way it has finished up. Still more to do, but getting closer. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Hey Dan thank you very much. You know what is weird is that there is absolutely no return on the ab button. It is the way it photographs and I knew there would be a comment on it. I have filed it down to seriously flat edges, it is the top part that has a slight bevel in it, which means Id have to cut it down even more. Ill see what I can do with it. Thank you by the way, and thank you for the note on the GML. I will for sure check with them.

Hi all, i have primed, painted and finished with a gloss coat using acrylic paint (spray/rattle cans) and I just need some advice on finishing it off to get a high gloss finish. So far I have used 1200 grit and polish which has produced a good shine but I think it can be better. Should I finish it off with 2000 grit? any advice would be awesome

Ouch. Locally we have a product called Goo Remover, it dissolves glue residue without affecting the plastic (but can damage other plastic) always best to try on a test piece first. You may be able to find something similar at your end. Screws shouldn't be too tight I would think and would have nuts behind, just a case of using a socket or spanner behind and apply pressure to the screw head while turning. Here's a handy image of snap placement, many of us use the double snap method, can save you at a troop if one snap fails

Hi Fred, and really nice overall build on this AP armor! There are a few issues which may cause a snag for basic approval, but nothing insurmountable I assure you. Actually, with a few tweaks here and there I can see you taking this to at least Expert Infantry level! A lot of the items listed below (and some that Q listed) are simple strapping issues, which are much easier to work with than you think. In addition to what Q has mentioned. here are my personal observations/suggestions: 1. Your biceps are riding pretty low and could stand to come up around 3 (maybe 4) cm. Just tightening up the strapping should do the trick and will prevent them from peeking out from under your shoulder bells. 2. Since raising the biceps would increase the gap between those and the forearms, you should raise them as well. Again, a simple strapping issue. Note the blue lines below... everything should look pretty even and symmetrical. 3. You can safely drop the thighs a bit as well, especially the left one as it is riding under the cod. Just make sure the tops are even. 4. Your left calf is riding very high, causing it to ride over your boot. *** The right one is also doing the same thing in another shot so I am recommending that you lower them. This will obviously create a wider gap between the bottoms of the thighs and the tops, but you should be fine for approval with that. Also, there are black stripes on the backs, which will need to be painted/dyed white. Easy fix! *** Something that I have seen done that may help this issue is to create a stirrup in each boot. This is done by gluing some elastic inside the bottom part of the calf (thick green line) and actually running it under your feet before putting on your boots. This keeps them pulled down snug. Hope this helps, and always feel free to ask any questions or for more advice. I have faith that you can jump on these suggestions and you will have that TK designation sooner than you think!

Holy cow I did it!! Unfortunately did not win the costume contest, but I'm so happy! Armor bites and all (ouch ouch ouch)!!

Got back into the armour build today, biceps and thigh markings have been done as well as starting on the bucket. Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Go go go trooper !! Your EIB Badge is near Sir !!

Congrats trooper! 3 troops in a week? I assume you had an awesome week

You can do this, Rob! If you need any help, just ask!

Was really excited to get my BBB And then had to haul it on the BART soon as I got home I took an accounting of all the pieces, relying heavily on the images on Imperial Surplus's page I'm... a little concerned about how much trimming is going to need to be done. Landroomie thinks I should have ordered kid's size XD Armor and bucket from the wonderful @kwdesigns of Imperial Surplus II. Receive BBB A. Armor 1. body a. chest plate (omg the chest is so big, no wonder the Ladies Legion talks about hiding food and water bottles in there!) b. back plate c. abdomen plate (Ladies Legion calls the groin "the violater" and not to be afraid to trim the heck out of it) d. kidney plate h. 2 shoulder straps 2. Body additional a. back panel b. thermal detonator (pipe, 2 end caps, greeblie) c. belt (front, back, box greeblie) d. 2 ammo pouch covers 3. Arms (everything in pairs) a. shoulder b. bicep c. back forearm d. inner forearm e. forearm cover f. glove plate (I know there's a better word for it, I just can't think of it) 3. Legs (everything in pairs) a. outer thigh b. inner thigh c. knee d. shin e. calf B. Strapping System (in a zip, look at later) C. Helmet 1. top 2. face 3. back 4. faceshield 5. browpiece 6. rim piece 7. decals and attachment system D. Extras: shoes + pauldron Here's everything laid out!

I just got my 2 BBB today! Problem: I got it this morning at work, and now they're sitting on an empty desk next to me (colleague is out on PTO). It's taunting me. I'm not going to get any work done today.........

Really depends how many coats of clear you have applied as to how much you can sand, definitely use water and add a little dish washing liquid, helps the paper to glide a little easier and slows clogging. I did sand and polish some of mine but a lot didn't need it I was lucky I got a nice shine of the gun, but I only used 1200 sandpaper and a course buffing compound followed by a smoother compound and novus polish to do the final hand polish. In the auto trade we did finish with 2000 which gave you a slightly better shine but for armor personally I wouldn't bother.