Rich330

Sorry, I didn't click your link before posting. My blaster is different to the one in the link. The modded Hasboro will also be OK for EIB but it is considerably less accurate than the one I have ... http://www.doopydoos.com/ultimate-stormtrooper-anh-e-11-blaster-mk3-1742-p.asp The Hasboro toy is a lot shorter and has quite a few features which don't match the original Sterling-based blaster props. Considering that both cost the same, I would recommend the "ULTIMATE STORMTROOPER ANH E-11 BLASTER MK3". Even if it is not in stock, I'm sure you can drop them a line and have one made up.

I have one and it's pretty good. It's a better pipe build than I would manage myself at the moment and certainly meets all the requirements for ANH EIB. The one negative for me is the rushed paint job. It seems like black sprayed directly onto the resin without primer. I will eventually refinish mine myself I think. Here are some pictures ...

Great build, Rolf. Great to work with this stuff, isn't it! Looking forward to seeing it with a sandy paint job.

To be fair, the "brand" has nothing to do with it; it's the material. I wouldn't try bending my TM in 2mm ABS like I did in the picture either. I don't know the exact composition of this stuff but it is incredibly rubbery/elastic. The tear-resistance at the edges is mind-boggling. Obviously, time will tell just how the armour stands up to "trooping". As I say, I'm more than happy to report back from time to time. It would be silly to blindly put all your faith in what is effectively still a new development. Just as it would be silly to try and discredit it with no direct experience of the product at all.

The video demonstrates the resistance to abuse of a piece of non-formed scrap. It is from a flat(ish) shapeless piece from between moulded parts. My constant folding mould the seam into the material. I wanted to see how much abuse it would take. I don't plan on subjecting my finished armour to that kind of stress. Do you fold the pieces of your armour like that?

Hi Mike, Who is "he"? Me? I haven't finished building the suit yet so I can't tell you how it is to wear and walk around in. The photo and the video I posted show the flexibility and strength of the material before it is built. Because of that I'm pretty certain it will stand up to whatever I can put it through. I was particularly impressed by its resistance to tearing at the edges. I finally got that piece of scrap to tear but it tok me a good 5 minutes and I had to keep folding it repeatedly along the same line to form a crease. And then I had to subject it to forces a lot stronger than those I would exert by wearing the amrour and moving around in it. I'll happily keep you informed as to how it stands up over time though. Cheers Rich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ehg5kGwFYY Any further questions?

I'll tell you when it's built! It's super light, I can tell you that much. When the box arrived, I was wondering whether there was anything in it! The helmet is ABS, painted with an undercoat of grey/khaki coloured paint to replicate the HDPE. Then it's painted with a couple of coats of white with some intentional chipping for that screen-used look.

ESB too of course, right?

I took delivery of a big brown box of goodies again this morning. It included this fantastic HDPE replica helmet, fully assembled and painted by TM. Many thanks to Paul for the incredible work on the helmet. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you with a few photos .... I have some trimming to do! This 1mm flexible armour is mental!

No, the only thing that goes in that hole is the t-track. As Vern says, it's bent into the exhaust hole in the barrel at the end. There is generally a separate hole drilled for your scope rail. Like in the picture of the finished blaster I posted.

By coincidence, the t-track material for my current blaster build just arrived. These photos of instalation might also help ...

The T-tracks line up with the pre-drilled holes in the barrel. If you've drilled out the holes in your pipe already, like this .... .. it should be pretty clear where the T-tracks fit. Here's a finished blaster showing placement ...

Agreed. My wife (slim 5'4") in AP (TM helmet): ---------

Brilliant! Is there anything left of the original Hasboro? Reminds me of this ...

Thanks to your post title I have got ACDC going round my head!

Congratulations, Damián. Well, you know you've always been a key member as far as my progress is concerned. You hadn't even received your own TK number yet back then but your were the first person in the Spanish Garrison whom I contacted directly for help with my first TK build .... and you know where that has lead! You've done a lot for the Spanish Garrison and the 501st as a whole in a short time. You do it all with a very infectious and selfless enthusiasm without ever losing your sense of humour. I'm proud to be part of the same Garrison as you and it was a pleasure finally meeting you in September. It won't be long before I'm back for another event in the Madrid area and the first beer is on me.

You mean the "gear" the seller's been smoking?

All great tips, guys. I've found my own personal solution with the new tools but all the different techniques make for a good informative thread.

I love it when we get you onto your "chosen specialist subject", John!

I have new toys ... ... and some very clean-looking round holes! I'm amazed. Hardly any sanding to do!

Thanks for the help, chaps. I'll be in the DIY store tonight on the look out for another file/rasp/reamer type tool. I think the walls are quite thin on this tube which is why it deformed so much with the heat of the drilling. Happy I got my rough holes drilled though.

Yay!

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I have a template and it's stuck to the outside of the tube if that's what you mean, Jess.