Troopacoola

This is going to be a slowwwwww build! Trimmed and sealed my internal straps / snap plates.

Yeah, I think the aesthetics of abs plates look cleaner. But the webbing I find to be more practical.

Don't know if this is what you're after but this is what I used for my pipe build.

Looks a lot better mate. Nice work!

Looking forward to seeing this develop!

How deep do you need to dip it? I mean you could always use a roasting tin on the hob, fill with water and bring to the boil if there's only an inch or so that needs submerging.

I use the webbing method snap plate. I have found that it's sits well against the bends and contours, as well as being a more secure fitting due to the snap actually being punched through the webbing. Where as I have found with abs plates they are more rigid and therefore harder to get to follow the bends and contours. There's also IMHO more risk of the snap breaking free of the plate. I think it's all down to preference tbh. I'd experiment and find what suits you best mate. Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

The moment the boy makes all the effort to suit up for the first time and play Battlefront. Then realises he's just been put on the Rebels team !

Still in dispute over my order! On a side note how do I know what size pan head or japanned screw to get for my TD? I have absolutely no idea! Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?/topic/31920-ukswrath's-AM-1.0,-ATA-bucket-build Here's a great reference thread by Tony. Post #50 walks through attaching to canvas belt. Whilst post #42 goes through attaching to ab plate. Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

The latter mate! Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Mmmmmm.......What's wrong with this picture? Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Double snap plates of which x 20 are required All trimmed down and sealed, ready to punch and fit snaps And single snap plates. Of which x18 are required. Both are 25mm in width Templates made from scrap abs to save time on measuring all of those plates individually Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

So here's my plan for the 50mm snap straps Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Don't feel responsible, no discouragement either mate! Possibly a bit of realisation in terms of further cash investment, and I thank you for that. The cash I would have to invest would pretty much be the cost of a new kit. Why spend it on that when I can have one for me and one for my boy? And if he wants to improve it we can spend a little at a time. Am going all out on the next one. May take some time to get up and running though! Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Ok. I've not been posting much of late for two reasons. The first being that there has been very little to report. I have invested Alot of time and money in trying to revive this kit and get it clearance ready, with some success and some frustrations. It still needs work. A new lid, knee ammo belt, pop rivets removing from the knee plate, new thighs etc etc. Oh, and yes Tony.......the cover strips still need removing!!!!!! :) sorry! Saying that, for now, I am leaving it as is......hopefully you will understand why....... I have posted before, my intentions for this kit. Which is the second reason for the lack of progress posts. Here's a recap. My son has shown a keen interest and has told everyone at school that he and his dad are building an armour kit. He has told all his friends online that he has stormtrooper armour. Now, he doesn't see the difference between FX and other armours etc so with that in mind, and the investment needed to get this upto clearance level, I decided to finish this build as best as I could as it is. I thought about the fact that if I could get it as close as I could and then hand it over to him, then if he decides he wants to go for clearance, in time we could work on it together. He on his first build side by side with his dad working on his RWA kit (once I've saved enough pennies!) Armour party with your son, how cool would that be? Being only 15 years old he's too young to join the 501st which gives him a good couple of years to either get this old kit upto scratch, or we could get him a new one if that's something he wants to do. He's still growing so I'm reluctant to shoot for the second option just yet! Anyway, I thought today would be the perfect day to pass on my armour. Whist he was at school I sneaked into his room and left a little white present on his bed..... ....and left a little note beside it for him.... So he returns home from school after a long and tiring day. I ask "How was school?" To which he replies "fine" I say to him "Why don't you go and get changed?" He agrees, and makes his way up to his room. Knowing what's waiting, I follow. He opens his door and sees "my" armour on his bed. I can only assume he's expecting another test fit. He notices a sheet of paper and begins to read it. I watch on, recording on my phone. I can see his expressions change as he reads on and then realises, the armour is now his. Bless him, he had tears in his eyes "I can't believe it. I think I'm in shock." It may not yet have been cleared, and it's an old FX kit. And, with some more work we could get it through. But that doesn't matter to my boy. He now has his own armour and is on his way to be a stormtrooper. That's all that matters to him, and that's all that matters to me. So I guess that's the end of my old FX rebuild! It's kind of sad to be honest. Although it's not going in for clearance, I believe it has been a success, I did intend to submit early on. But my goal changed, and that has been achieved. I have had excitement, frustration and despair but I cannot express how much I have enjoyed the overall build. I can honestly say that the people of this community have made the frustrating times easier, and helped steer me in the right direction. You guys have been amazing and I honestly believe that many of the successful builds that I have have seen get cleared, could not have happened without your experience and support. Without you I could never have given my son this gift. Every single one of you guys are stars and I will be drawing on your experience in the not too distant future again! I have already begun measuring up and populating a list for my next one! http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?/topic/37001-Snaps-elastic-and-all-the-other-bits! Once again, thanks all Marc Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

I know that feeling, the evil stare as I browse the forums is a personal favourite, yet it's OK for her to be on her phone, going through Facebook watching funny cat videos, whilst your supposed to be watching a movie together! Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Nice to see you on your way! Enjoy the build. I look forward to watching this build progress.......that pig makes me want a bacon sandwich! Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Just thought it could help with the quantities of whats needed Will be using your thread foe refference of course, when my BBB day arrives. Still need to finish my rebuild though! Any advice on the size of the pan heads and rivets? Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

*Updated with prices* So, I am getting closer to getting a new kit and have started measuring up what I'm going to need to purchase ahead of this. I have the tools, but I'm talking about all the other bits and bobs I need to fulfil the build. There's nothing worse than wanting to get on with something and then realise you need to wait for the postman! I thought I would put this out there for two reasons. 1) being relatively new to all this I found that as I have been going along in my current rebuild. I have often run out of key things required and hopefully this list can help others prepare whist they wait for their BBB to arrive. 2) I will have more than likely missed something, which I would be most great full if you could direct me in what else I need or whether I'm ordering too much or not enough of something! Poppers/snaps Going to be going with the double snap method using webbing instead of elastic for the ab, kidney, back plate etc. So gonna need a lot! 40 poppers going double for back, side, and shoulder straps. 4 poppers for thighs. 4 for chest to abb plate. 10 for arms. 1 for top of ab. 2 for ab to belt. 2 for crotch 2 for shoulder straps Total snaps = 65 order x100 for those ones that don't want to work! X100 =£ 7.99 *ordered* White elastic 50 cm of x50mm wide for chest to back plate. X100cm =£ 1.85 Or 40mm white webbing X100cm = £1.79 50cm of x25mm wide for belt to drop boxes. X100cm =£1.25 50cm x 6mm for rear of shoulder covers. X100cm =£0.99 Black elastic. 50 cm of x20mm wide for Soulder to bell. X100 cm =£0.99 80cm of 25mm for bell straps. 50cm of 25mm for bell to bicep. 50cm of 25mm for chest to ab. 20 cm of 25mm for butt to crotch. (Total of 200 cm ) X200cm =£1.49 50cm of 30mm for forearm to bicep. X100cm =£0.99 100cm of 50mm for thigh garters. X100cm =£1.59 Black Webbing. X20 50mm double snap plates X18 40mm single snap plates Snaps plates 25mm x 300cm. =£2.75 *ordered* Internal strapping 50mm x 80cm. 20cm for split rivet side X100cm =£2.95 White webbing 50 cm x40mm for chest to back plate ( if going that way, instead of elastic ) X1.45 Velcro. White industrial self adhesive 20mm x 100cm for calfs. X100cm =£1.55 Aluminium strip. 50cm of 25mm x 2mm for TD clips. X100cm =£5.09 Inc p&p X4 pan head screws ( need to find dimensions / size! ) Rivets for belt and holster ( need to find sizes! ) Split rivets x10 ( which I already have ) Paint Humbrol admiral grey no 5 X14ml =£2.47 Inc p&p Humbrol gloss black no 21 X14ml =£2.49 Humbrol french blue no 14 X14ml =£2.49 Black sharpie marker X1 =£0.99 So far for all parts required total cost is £41.86 or around $61.15 USD. All orders are at the minimum unit value or length available closest to the required amount. Which allows for the odd mistake here and there. This is excluding the cost of rivets and pan head screws. Note to self.....order more of the following: Rare earth magnets x20 of 15mm x 2mm X20 =£2.68 Rare earth magnets x20 of 20mm x 2mm X10 =£6.59 E6000 Masking tape

I agree. Humbrol is very thick and can set leaving stroke marks too. I always thin mine out when handpainting my models which removes the brush strokes. Lots of thin coats gives a better finish than one thick coat in my opinion. Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

The only concern with 1.5mm is the thinner parts of the vacuuming forming process. Thoughts? Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Can you pollish up the flatter 1.5mm abs though? Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

I've not decided yet. Like the idea of using the original method and need to look more into that. But feel more comfortable with snaps as that's what I'm used to using. Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk