Trooperdad

I have a resin pair of binders I got off eBay as a kit (yes, they're white with blocks) which I originally outfitted with regular magnets. I've since pulled them off and replaced with rare earth magnets which hold 10 times better and can pinch if you're not careful when putting them on. I also have a black canvas cloth bag that I store them on my belt that I can reach, pull out and put away without looking when I'm in armor. I've thought about making more accurate metal looking ones--someday. But I'd definately use rare earth magnets again for holding power.

Give us details, please!

Use Alaska Air/Horizon. However, I don't know what city you're flying from so you'll have to check out their site at www.alaskaair.com. Good luck!

Now you can make it yourself! It was the first leather project for me and with a few tools from your leather store, it's a snap! One thing I did on mine was to sew the bottom so it's actually a pocket, but whatever works for you. Good luck!

I wear glasses too and I struggled to use the supplied helmet liner with the large ratchet wheel in back. Instead, I bought a hardhat with liner at Home Depot that DIDN'T have the ratchet adjuster in the back and that gave me enough room to wear with my glasses. Cost is like $7-8. Note: I saved the ratchet helmet liner and the unused hardhad used them in my son's rebel fleet trooper helmet and they worked great! I don't have any trouble with the helmet staying on my head (it's an FX). It doesn't bobble around and with flat lenses, I've had no trouble seeing. Don G. TK-5372

I don't post that much either...doh! If you need to communicate, have your spouse/significant other register and then you can REALLY communicate via PM!!! Don G. TK-5372

Here's some more photos (hard to get this photo posting thing for me). For some reason I can't post due to files are too large even though I reduced them for web posting size. Send me a PM and I'll send them to you directly. Don G.

It's called vynil baseboard moulding. You can get it in short strips like 3 feet? I think they have it in tan (almond) and white. It's not expensive. I'll post the photos. Don G. TK-5372 ------

I used the flexible bath molding for my shins/calves in the back. ABS glued in the front and then put industrial strength loop velcro on BOTH sides of the armor (facing in) and put industrial strength hook velcro on the white molding (cut the length of the armor and about 1-1/2 to 2" in width). I cut both velcros about 1" wide and ran the length of the armor. Depending on if I'm running a lot or not, when I put the shin armor on there is either a gap or sometimes not (when my calves are smaller) and at those times, both sides of the armor almost touch and you hardly see the molding behind it. However, the molding is normally not the same color as the bright white ABS armor so there is a color difference, but then then most people see you from the front. Nobody's ever said how it looks from the back (or they're too polite). The molding is inexpensive and if you don't like how it works, it's not permanent and you can remove all the velcro and try something else. I can send/post some photos this weekend if you'd like. Don G. TK-5372

I found that SOME of my message notifications were being put into my "bulk" folder (essentially junk mail folder). However, I don't know why and have not taken the time to figure out how to change it. Hope that helps. Don G. TK-5372

CAboots. Love them! Price, availability, look, and size is fairly good. I do find them a little on the sloppy side (large) size wise, but I've trooped for half a year wearing all kinds of socks with no blisters or problems. AND, the smell grows on you too! Don G. TK-5372

Butah: I really like all your observations and report from the Rose Parade. Having missed it, I really liked your review of the predominant TK armor and what you saw. This thread has really pushed me off the fence on whether to upgrade my bucket from FX. I definitely will and probably in the 1st or 2nd quarter of this year. Thanks, Don G. TK-5372 PS: I like the "Death March" reference too!

I remember playing a lot of X-Wing (before I learned that the Empire has all the fun, of course). I also played a lot of arcade version of ROTJ which let you play all levels of AT-ST walker (it's hard to avoid the falling logs and keep walking), biker scout (piloting your biker scout through a maze of trees and logs), and fly the Millenium Falcon into the 2nd Death Star (pipes and metal support beams EVERYWHERE). Oh, the quarters I used at the arcade...those were the days. Don G. TK-5372

I look at it as an "accessory" option which you choose, "Do I go out today with the thermal detonator, or the grappling hook?" "Honey, what do you think?" The same could be said for which weapon you choose too. Of course, it depends on the make-up of your squad and the equipment list. I look forward to having a grappling hook that I can use depending on my mood or event. Don G. TK-5372

As my screen name implies, I am a father of 4 sons, ages 20, 18, 15, 10. I grew up in the heart of Silicon Valley and went to the same high school my parents went to and now my children will graduate from. I live in the house I grew up in and love this area. I have many interests outside of Star Wars (which I saw when I was 17), I am a scoutmaster in my sons' troop and 2 are Eagle scouts, I love to camp and do outdoor activities, I speak fluent Japanese from a 2 year mission I served in Japan (Nagoya area). Other hobbies are, model trains, RC warship combat (yes they really fire at each other and SINK), woodworking (I have my contractor's license and ran my own business for a couple years), computer and video games (which I hardly have time for but I can get at least a few kills against my kids on Halo II), WWII history, aviation (I took flying lessons before I learned to drive but never got my license), scuba and snorkeling, airsoft combat indoors and outdoors, automotive repair and cars, cooking and grilling. I don't know if I left anything out. Most of all I am committed to my loving wife for 23 years, my church, and my family. To support myself and my family I have worked in the electronics industry for 18 years in sales selling materials and chemicals. I currently work for a company that is an electronics contract manufacturer in China as a sales manager. I have travelled across North America and to Japan and Asia many times. I don't remember exactly how I got into the Star Wars costuming but I think it was through an internet search and I was intrigued and did more research into it. I later found a set of unfinished TK armor and once I put it on, I was hooked! My kids get a big rush off it too; the teenagers have put on "the suit" and trooped on their own including Halloween at high school. The 10 year old is a Jawa which I made him a movie-quality costume including leather bandoliers and ion blaster--he loves to put it on. I'm working on an imperial gunner costume now and am waiting for a few more items to complete it. The main thing I like about doing this is that the whole family gets involved (except my wife but then she likes it when she can have some time alone with peace and quiet), and the instant joy and excitement our appearances cause. That's trooperdad! Don G.

I just finished trooping twice this past week using a pair of these thigh straps and they worked great! I left my snaps in place on my thighs just in case it didn't work out, but I really like the way these fit and held my thigh armor on. Thanks for all the details and photos. Don G. TK-5372

Suggest you try the local garrison in the Bay Area www.goldengategarrison.com to ask around. See us at one of our up-coming events listed on the site too. There are some people either in the Bay Area or central Valley doing vacu-forming. They could give you some pointers. Don G. TK-5372

I kinda like the clanging! It adds to the whole "presence" of the armor and it's sound should be a harbinger of doom to all rebel scum. Of course you're going to have scratches, but that's what you're supposed to buff out on your time off. Since we don't have steel deck plates to walk on or have hob-nailed boots, we've got to make some kind of "noise". We're not "stealth" troopers like biker scouts are supposed to be. But maybe I'm in the minority. Don G. TK-5372 Golden Gate Garrison

I used a commercial heating gun I used to strip paint, but you need to be very careful. Mine has 2 settings, hot and very hot! I tried using it to better form some of my FX armor, but it usually heated up too fast and then got too droopy and it took some quick semi-burnt fingers to get it looking somewhat what I started out with. I'd rather not use a torch, but this is the first decent explanation, and based on the pictorial results, on the subject. Your work looks great--maybe you have more patience than me. Don G. TK-5372

Thanks! And the waist is 3" elastic, right?

So, are the straps elastic or nylon webbing?

I like your design. I use snaps and a nylon belt with an interlocking ring and can pull it snug, but I had the thighs come loose when I had 1 snap. So I added another snap to each thigh and I STILL had a thigh come off. GRRR!! Your design holds some promise I want to try. Have you ever had the velcro come apart while trooping? How many times have you worn your armor with this design and for how long doing what kind of movement (marching, stairs, running, standing)? Thanks, Don G. TK-5372

I don't know how great my holster is. (thanx for the kind comments Ed) I made it from scratch having never seen a holster in person and just going off general dimensions. It's made from black buffalo hide (cheaper than cow), hand stitched and riveted. I originally made it for my Kenner blaster, and when I modified it, I had to make a cut in the holster to accomodate the magazine receiver/magazine. The leather is not as stiff and putting reholstering can be a problem sometimes since I'm doing it blind and wish it would stay open so the blaster just drops in. After I made my holster, another 501st trooper sent me a pattern for his holster and mine was close enough. I have no idea how it would work with a HF model since I've never seen one or how heavy it is. If you're interested, I'll try to post some photos or PM me and I'll send you what I've got (pattern, photos, leather samples). I would make your own, and you could make a lefty or righty or both depending on your preference. NOTE: I never worked with leather before except when I was 13 as a boy scout. Stitching and riveting were really easy. I just added some photos. The blaster strap is kept in place by a metal post and I cut a slit with a hole punched in it on the strap. When I do another one, I might use a regular snap on it. ---------

You might also want to try insulating the fan from the dome of the bucket by glueing in some kind of rubber foam (like pieces from an old computer mouse pad). This will dampen any vibration that is transferred to the helmet when the fan is operating. My 2 Imperial cents! Don G. TK-5372

Pin striping for outlining gray colored communicator ear covers works great. I picked up a black pin stripe kit from a hobby shop. They sell it for RC car decorating. It has various widths and is self-adhesive. I think I liked the 1/8" wide stripe the best. Just hand apply it AFTER the gray cover is attached to your bucket. When applying it, if it doesn't look right or straight, but pull it off and re-position. It's very easy to work with. Only need 3-4 inches to go completely around each ear piece. The black outline makes it look more finished. Will provide pics on later post. Don G. TK-5372