John

Money well spent.... thank you for ALL you guys do. We all APPRECIATE your efforts.... Keep up the GREAT work.

Here's my son's first set of "armor". I'm thinking a few modifications....and he may be ready to go... in about 13 years. Funny thing... I've seen worse out there. He's getting a kick out of it... it's a Rubie's...and was worth every penny spent. I'm gonna pick up the Darth Vader tomorrow. It comes with a heavy breathing unit...and more. Lol...

Yeah....daycare.... Don't get me started. I pay $1000/month to put my 4 year old in a Montessori daycare... I can't wait until he starts Kindergarten... Ugh....

Awesome!!! I just posted the pics on my (Mountain) Garrison. Thanks for that! Well done.... LOL

...she's worried that i'll just spend all my money on star wars instead of rent and bills. Smart girlfriend....Wise this one is...very much so...

You go....Tray. I see you're making your old Garrison very PROUD... Taking in the Delaware "sights" I see... We're ALL glad that you're "settling in".... We MISS you. Take care!!!

Is that carpet padding your standing on....? Or is that carpet...? Ah Geez....I'm sorry...that's the insurance adjuster in me... That's weird you had that problem with the FX.... I cycle and have pretty good sized calf(s)/thighs and I still had to cut the heck out of mine.... The nice thing about armor....totally modifiable to perfection... Like Mark advised...you may have to pick up some new thighs...which is no biggie. I hope you find the answer(s) on here. Good luck...and Welcome!!!

I'm not sure about anyone else...but 40 degrees (w/ sun) is comfortable trooping weather... if you can I'd just rig some fans in the next couple of days....to help keep the lenses from fogging up... Can you get your hands on a quick pair of flat lenses...other than those fish eyes... (to put it MILDLY...they suck trooping). Have you vented your frown.....for more ventilation... If not... you'll still be fine. You're gonna be so overwhelmed with all of the ATTENTION your gonna be getting. ...and the most important thing. It's a learning experience. Dont' be surprised if you blow a thigh or pop a shoulder piece in the middle of the parade... Just learn from your experience(s) and make corrections for the next troop. We've all been there... remember SNAPS are friends... Pack some extra supplies in your tub...just in case. Be prepared... whatever happens is totally repairable. Watch your O2 cannister...they make great memorabilia pieces for those little criminals... Watch who you let hold your blaster...for the same reason... Take something to hand out - go to the party store....get some green items/temp tattoos etc... We're doing the Denver Parade Saturday... I think I heard the snow word earlier this week....ugh. Like it was already said... Have FUN on your first troop... they get better and better each time out... ...Now suit up trooper....you're on patrol.

Way to go Gordon.... Make me proud. Dont forget to take the speaker out of that amp. You just unscrew the main screw... then there are (2) more inside on the board. Next you can use a tiny screw driver and simply pry the speaker out (it's just glued in there...) You can cut those speak wires and just tuck them aside...cause you won't ever use them. You're going to use the external jack for your aerator speakers. Remember, you can use the existing jacks or you can solder the wires directly.... Let me know if you have ANY questions...at all. GOOD LUCK!!! PS...Now that I'm thing about it... those switches.... are they going to be mounted directly in that tubing? I know Radio Shack carries those red squared ones...see my post... they go in really nice. Also.... you're gonna need more wire than that. Radio Shack has the 3 pack rolls... I think they're like 30 ft rolls for $6 for the whole pack (90 ft). Just some input... let me know if you need part numbers.

Yeah...Jonah's got good advice.... I would NOT try anything harsh on it, at all. The citrus is a great idea...and warm soap to soften it up...otherwise it's just gonna have to be peeled out of there.... Once you get a little peeled off...you'll get a feel for exactly how much it is going to take. Just go at it.... but just be aware that your not peeling off any thin edge while doing it.... you should be fine.

That's interesting that that works... I would have never guessed that....ingenious...and compact. The mic that I cut down is really comfortable.... and really...it is out of the way. What I like is the fact that it really creates a good static burst. Just out of curiosity how is that working out for you, as far as the static burst goes.....

Steve. Actually, the feedback is not that bad.... however I certainly can not turn my amp all the way up...but fortunately it is still loud enough. It's something that I am going to work on....to see if I can get the amp all the way up. I've seen others mount larger speakers behind the aerators..inside the helmet and then cover them with aerasol caps.... there is a really good thread I saw on here last nite. That may be a great start...bigger speaker = LOUD = happy trooper(s). Good Luck

Excellent.... I'm glad it worked out for you. Enjoy it.

Mark, That's a great question.... although I haven't noticed any issues with that. I've got a troop on Thursday...so perhaps I'll notice the offset, if any. I did rip that heavy speaker out of the amp and chucked it. You'd be amazed at how heavy that thing was. I bet it was 60-70% of the entire weight... Oh...by the way.... I know those little project boxes you talked about.... they are nice.... and I actually put the back of the amp back on so there isn't any exposed electronics.... that was just for photo purposes showing the removal of the speaker. Also that mic....(Radio Shack) I cut if down (dremeled off the handle), removed the switch and re-wired it. I then velcro'd it in place.... it rests right on the lips...so the static burst works well. I was gonna heat glue it...but the velcro was too easy and it holds really well...PLUS I can remove it, should I have to take out the entire system. Gordon, thanks! I had a friend that was going to trade me a Sandtrooper backpack.... but he decided to keep it... SO....guess what.... there ya go.... I have another project. I'll start on that here pretty soon...and will, of course put it up on a thread.

There's a guy that sells boots (what use to be Chang's). They're about $60... I bought a pair...they're awesome. Go to the Bay...and search Stormtrooper boots. Let me know if you can't find them...I may have an old link to him.

Done... ...nice thing is...the feedback isn't too bad. On to the next project.

Nice job Paul, I see you have been busy inside your bucket, as well. Looks good!

Thanks for all the kudos.... I finished today in about an hour.... so all in all it took about 4-5 hours. I'm pretty sure I could do it all over again in alot less time.... It just gets a little tricky, initially, when it's all spread across the dining room table.. By the way, those front center wires connect to the aerator/speakers. Just take your time.... and if you mess up... its just wire. *Remember - get heat shrink.... it really strengthens those solders... (also available at Radio Shack) Here is the finished product....it is working perfectly and quietly. Now I'm headed downstairs to put it in the bucket and check to see if there are any feedback issues... Good luck to you all...

Anthony, They came from Radio Shack....as well. Part # 273-0240 (12VDC Micro fan) 1 9/16 (40mm) Brushless. Also... pick up the Heat-Shrink tubing (sleeves over the soldered areas). Don't touch it with the solder gun tip...just the side as it will melt it.... Makes for nice seal on the solder areas.... and you can see I used about a 4 inch piece to cover the exposed wires that extend from the amp. Good luck!

Hey all... This is what I decided to do today..... I went out and picked up the exact same "ingredients" ...down to the switches...of another well-known self-contained vox system. I have to admit... I do have a new found respect for the individual(s) that make these... they are time consuming...but not bad. I have about $75-$80 in it for the parts... and it is coming along really well. I didn't get all of it completed, however I am about 65% done.... should be completed by tomorrow...possibly Monday. I have about 3 hours into it...so far. It's not that bad...although I hate soldering....cause I suck horribly at it....oh well... what'dya do. I'll post the finished product photos, as well..... - over view of the system. I still have to add another battery feed on the right side for the fans. - Still need to wire the mic and the wires that will connect to the aerator speaker(s) - switches are wired. I still need to in-line the fan(s). By the way...these fans are so MUCH MORE quieter than the ones that are included in "the other" system. - amp is wired and working. I removed the amps large internal speaker to get rid of excess weight. Also severed amps own battery connection and created a new one that is turned on/off at the switch. **For $75-$80....it's alot of fun.... a little challenging... and I feel you get some better components. I'll add more as it is completed.

Quite honestly, it's not made very well....at all. ...but, out of respect for this board, and in an effort to not start any problems on this site, I reserve the right to limit my (public) opinions regarding this particular unit. Should you have any need for further opinion, please PM me.

If you're considering the skullworx unit.... PM me for some issues concerning it.

If anyone is considering the skullworx.... PM me for some personal advice concerning them.

Nice guys.... Scott....where'd you get the plans for the back pack...? Is there a thread/link/website that walks you thru the build...? Thanks!!

Thank you ALL for your replies.... I really appreciated the information and advice.... ....and to give credit where I feel credit is due. I spoke with the seller and he was very up front, and brutally honest, as i put it to him. I had requested photos of any flaws that this bucket had and he sent me several photos (even more than what is on his auction site) showing some major issues with this paticular piece. I simply explained to him that there were just too many flaws for my taste and left it at that. I know there were some questions about his zero feedback...and his user ID (e-chu-ta), however I feel strongly that this particular seller is on the up and up. In fact, if he could get his hands on helmets that were lacking the serious flaw(s) that this one, in particular had, I feel strongly that the price he is starting his bids at are alot more reasonable than some of the others that I have come across... ...and if, in fact, he is reading these threads.... I want to thank him for being as honest as he was....and for affording me the opportunity to make the decision that I did...rather than pay him the money and determine I had issues with it after I received it. Again, thank you all....