Berbs42

Sweet!

There are at least 5 who are IN my squad that are interested, not to mention the Significant Others of current Squad Members who's eyes have LIT UP at the mention of this Kit after the usual comments about the previously created FemTrooper Armor. - Berbs

So far so good, BUT I'm going to reinforce them anyway... My armor was EXTREMELY fragile when it was shiny already. I know it won't take much to snap it where I've weakened it further. - Berbs

Test Run Photos from the last hour of this past weekend's Con. (Alamo City Comic Con) Still need to weather the belt, create some shims between the Ab and Kidney Plates, and add semi-permanent connections between components (i.e. elastic with snaps instead of velcro...) that's why the right bicep turned around on me. g

Any luck?

My wife helped me sand down the spray-painted coats... Brought out some nice textures in the paint... Handplates... Calves... Right Forearm... Left Shoulder Bell... Right Shoulder Bell... Love the colors there!! ======== I defined the cracks and gashes with a black wash, and she brushed on a few other washes, sponging off the excess... We'll go back and lighten some of the cracks and maybe even take back some of the color. I didn't want to destroy the PT Bucket since it was my first TK (and was still in decent shape), so I found some other rather cheap HIPS pulls from fleabay (figured I could tear these up plenty). But while at another Trooper's house working on this, he realized he had a TM bucket that was had some warping around the right earcap from getting too close to a heat gun. So I think I'll practice on the HIPS and go for it on the ABS TM. Means I'll end up with way more buckets than I anticipated! (Front to back: Fleabay/MTK/PT/Fleabay/TM) More updates soon! LaterDays! - Berbs

Ok!! Finally posting up the Build Thread!! My first TK was a set of Pirate Trooper (PT) Armor. Got it before I found the FISD, and before I learned about recasters. Regardless of where you stand on that topic, I made do with what I had. And I trooped in it quite a bit! Being that it was thin HIPS, it eventually started cracking. Eventually I had new cracks at every troop I went to. I reinforced, repaired, and reglued it, but eventually I retired it; no Shiny TK should be so marred. Though I kept the set and knew that one day I would transform it into a Death Trooper. So, slowly but surely, I've started down that process... And I figure it's high time to start documenting the build. I'm basing the look on the GG Bust and Statue, and Marty's Build, and adding a few changes here and there. The PT set was a Glossy white HIPS so I dremeled into everything and sanded the finish down, and then used a Rustoleum Heirloom white as a first coat. Not completely covered, but most of it for sure!! Death Trooper Tree!! Then I used the Death Trooper Color Chart And began laying down some color (to be later sanded down) Good enough for now! More to post later today!! - Berban

Looking Great, Darren! Long time coming! SOON!

Indeed!!

Glad to hear it, Brother!! - Berbs

I know it hasn't been long... but... Any News?

Just read the newsletter. Still taking donations?

So... How did the Ladies of the Legion panel go and what, if any, news came on the Jes Gistang front? Very curious!! - Berban

The MTK Bucket - From TrooperBay makes a great match to the FX Armor. One of my squad mates used it, and I've followed suit and just received the bucket to go with my AM Armor. - Berban

18" / 45.7cm

YES!! More EIB's and Centurions in CTX!!! VERY WELL DESERVED!! Congratulations, Brother!! Hope to troop with you someday soon!! - Berban

SUPERCOOL!! Looks good, Brother!! - Berbs

Had a buddy make this one for me when I gave him my tickets to Star Wars in Concert over the summer of 2010. Just lights that marquee down the side of the Hasbro. I don't mind the kids playing with this one!! Would LOVE to do a full update with your build and a scratch built E-11!!! (But that one wouldn't get into kids hands!!) Can't wait to see more of this build!! - Berban

Would be great if there was! My wife's anxiously awaiting a reasonably priced kit!! - Berban

Well, as I said, it's gonna take awhile!! Finally had my second day. We started with the Thighs and then worked on the Forearms and Biceps. And essentially, all the glue has been removed. The "fresh" pair of Shoulder Straps is in the pics below. Today was a bit short, since I had leave early to celebrate some family birthdays and Father's Day a week early. Next week, my wife and I will be on vacation, and the following week is the Texas Comicon, but perhaps will get back to it at the end of June. Next Steps: Get MTK Bucket from TrooperBay. Take a Heat Gun to the top straps of the Chest Plate and curve them back down a bit to the way they were initially. Begin butt joints on Shins, Thighs, Forearms and Biceps. Start sourcing out the supplies found in this thread: arduino: a cheap board for E11 blaster effects [WiP] ..in order to update my current arduino E11 that was made by a friend back in 2010. It has a Marquee-Style Blast effect the propagates through the barrel on both sides. There's also a Blast Sound Effect but I don't utilize it since unfortunately at the time of the build the capability to play both the sound and the lights in unison was non-existent. But after seeing Manuel's build, I'm excited about the prospect of an update!! That's all for now!! - Berban

Congrats, Andy!! Looks amazing!

Congrats!!

Thanks, Noah! It should be much smoother than my first Build!! Much appreciated, Mike!! If there is anything extra I'll let ya know!! - Berban