Defiance7x13

Its really all about cost. We here in the states get held over a barrel when playing the exchange-rate game. Its not that there isn't beautiful and quality products coming out of the U.K, its just that I can save a lot of extra cash buying locally in these cash strapped times.

So ive gone further down the rabbit hole and I started amassing components for a TX before my TK has been finished. But now that I have this beautiful shinny black abs in my hot little hands I am noticing smudges and finger prints and worse yet dull areas amongst the shine (I really have to look for them out in the day light) What do I do? Is this to be expected over time? What is the general stance on the life and appearance of ones TX suit. Should it always be pristine and clean or would "trooping wear and tear" and "everyday life" scuffs and bumps be acceptable much like those who dawn the TK armor and don't ever clean it after a troop? I mean, you are a commando after all.... And If did want to clean it, what would be the best suggestion for black unpainted ABS?

That would be so awesome! I was planning taking my current pair of white tk-boots and asking my local shoe cobbler if he thought it would be possible to dye them black and get them to shine. Either way this would be a great solution to the over priced TX boots that I have seen available so far.

AM is a great choice for a first build.... I had no idea what I was getting into when I started on my AM build. I am glad I didnt. I didnt feel as compeleded to have my armor as "perfect" as per say the guys that are going for pure screen accurate. No offense to the people going for movie accuracy. That truly is our common bond! Those were the suits that started this passion for most of us out here. But the more I see pictures the "original" suits, the more I say to myself "what a piece of junk" Yes its kinda like looking at the holy grail and saying wow I expected more.... Maybe ive just had my rose color glasses on too long.

Maybe its just the alcohol, but this was an great thread to read upon coming home tonight... Yes I have too also what I have also thought of myself as being stuck in my armor too at least once.

I was lucky enough that they had my size in at the time that I ordered (size 12) but I was also told that a new shipment was to be expected in the up and coming weeks. That was around the 1st of September. Just let them know you want to order and ask when they might have more in, if they dont already. They are awesome people to deal with, they just aren't real pushy when it comes to sales.

I was able to order just a helmet from Rob(RT-mod) earlier this month. As long as every thing goes according to plan, its scheduled to here before the end of the month I seriously had my heart set on one of the "finished" AP buckets Mark had up for sale not too long ago (man those things were pretty), and was a breath away from dropping the cash for one. Ultimately, I couldn't bear to part with necessary funds after the exchange rates... In hindsight it was a good move, cause along with an assembled RT-mod bucket I was also able to snag this little beauty---------before it was too late. And the left over cash will now go towards a new Black AM kit.

I just got my pair of TK-boots in the mail today. Wow these are nice boots! Seriously, I cant get enough of that new leather smell. And the best part of all was the turn around time. I ordered them on Wednesday morning and they are already here! Im already thinking about buying a second pair to have dyed black for my TX trooper that Im going to start once im done with my TK project. Highly Recommended. Especially for the price! You cant go wrong. These things look very very well made and durable.

Congratulations sir on your upcoming wedding! I was part of a wedding party in vegas a few years back, and after the ceremony we ended up at this dueling piano bar inside of Paris. Now I give you not the most romantic of places, but to this day everyone who was there including both bride and groom talk about how much fun we all had there! Vegas really does have something to offer everyone. It all depends what you and the wife are into. Check out lasvegas.com or do a google search for "las vegas shows and events" and add the dates you will be in town. But on any giving night, you can a wide variety of shows ranging from family acceptable to racy and a good variety of museum like exhibits. If your looking for higher end classy restaurants you could look inside the wynn, the Venetian or the Bellagio. All are very ritzy so dont forget you wallet. hope that helps.

Those dogs are so pissed, classic. Animal people can be very strange sometimes.

My strapping system is in place already. I took an old back support belt (the kind you would find at a hardware store) and deconstructed it. I used some of the elastic, glued some Velcro to it and used it to hold the ab piece and kidney piece together. It holds quiet nicely and all you can see from the outside is a very small seam line between the two. I also used the adjustable elastic suspenders from the back support added some snaps and then attached the receivers to the inside of the armor. The rest of the system is made up of re-using the elastic straps that came with the kit, but will snaps added. I found out very quickly I hated the sound of Velcro tearing as I moved, bent or turned. Aside from some minor cosmetic work, the armor is finished. Im still lacking some soft components and a helmet. But I have learned that I can actually somewhat sit as long as the seat is not too low. And after a certain point you really cant reach for anything on the ground or below your knees... So plan head while suiting up. But the real test will be when I try to shoot a game of pool while suited up!

In my first hours of building I mutilated and destroyed one of the belt pieces not having any clue as to what I was doing. Later on down the road I did the same thing, with another belt piece. I just was plain not thinking at the time. So after that I was kinda worried about running short on the rest on the belt material and started to recycle where ever I could. Hence the jagged cover strips. I do have some some untouched belt material left since I opted for a canvas one. I should have enough to redo most if not all the strips. I did take off some of the "shoulders" on the chest and back piece, but because im so barreled chested I couldn't take off too much. The reality of it is, Im so much broader and taller than what the original screen actors would of been I would make a better "Zero-G assault" stormtrooper than a normal TK in film proportions. This is also why my thigh armor looks so big. I left a little growing room in there (at my biggest i weighted 235, but now im down to around 200) but by no means am I swimming in any of the pieces. Just enough room in most places to flex and move without anything breaking or me feel like Im being crushed. When I get suited up, I feel like a giant. I love it! I cant wait to see what its like with a completed lid on my head.

If I understand correctly, the tops of the the thighs and forearms should be as flush smooth as possible? If that is the case I can sand down the tops of the thighs and remove the small piece I glued down to hide the seem line at the top where the two half's joined together. ( I couldn't stand looking at it) But with the forearms, I didn't take length off either piece as they fit me great out of the box. But in seeing I didn't have Popeye forearms, I did take down the sides of inner plate to make them fit better around my arm. So what do I do to correct to "over hang"? Should I try to shape it at an angle to match the curve? If I shave down the top ridge of the outer plate to meet the inner, I will be cutting into the first Molded channel on the outside. What do you guys do? I threw up some close ups of the thighs and forearms on photo bucket to help.

Using a camera phone with bad lighting in the garage doesn't make for the best pictures, I know. When I have all everything gathered and complete I will have my roommate use his digital to take the required submission photos. And correct, I still need to cut the 45 degree angles on the corners on the belt. Good eye. I was showing some of the pictures too a few of my buddies at the bar last night. They haven't had a chance to see it in person, but they are already scheming on how to get suits of their own.

This is one of the new AM suits that I got, just about 3 weeks ago. Its been a real dream come true watching the suit come together over the last few weeks. Major Props to Pandatrooper and Tkrestonva for your build threads! Man, ive spent many hours pouring over both to get things to the point where I can say Im done with that piece *for now*. And many thanks to TKittell for one of his awesome belts! There are a few more that I haven't mentioned, but who have been great in helping me with advice in the background. So here some pictures of what I got so far. You can see the rest of the Picture here http://s1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff391/Defiance7x13/

My question comes as Im starting to get my suit to a point where I can start to wear it without the need of additional hands or tape. Where the ab plate and back plate join together, Ive notice some people are using black elastic and snaps and others using what I gather as improvised "white" backings to make up for space and bring the two sides together. Is there one style that is preferred by the 501st for membership? And which would be considered better for future FSID EIB status? I dont know which way to proceed. Thanks guys

One of the major pieces im currently in need of is an E-11. Has anyone dealt with this guy of seen any of the final sales product? Here is the link http://cgi.ebay.com/E-11-STORMTROOPER-Blaster-Resin-PROP-A1-MK2-star-wars-/250679214868?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

My name is carlos, Im new here and I have been doing my best to research armor on my own. But really what is the difference between something like http://cgi.ebay.com/STAR-WARS-AP-ORIGINAL-STORMTROOPER-ARMOR-KIT-PROP-/170523268811?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 and http://www.stormtrooper-costumes.com/33,33,stormtrooper_costumes.Star_Wars_Stormtrooper_Costume_Armour___501st_Original_Replica___A_New_Hope.html I see there a lot of strong points of views, but would be the stand point of of the 501st? Dont get my wrong, if I have the time and place I would just learn and build my own, but what do we do when that is not an choice?