FIVE

Yeah, my TE2 bucket has a "natural" gap because it's a strip of green that's laid in across the eyes rather than shaped pieces that are glued up against the bucket... so that helps a lot to begin with. But the wipes are still my new personal arsenal against fog!

Nice. So, I presume, they don't come with TE2 sets. No problem... I could probably make something even... but I will keep Kev in mind too. Wow this has turned out to be an amazingly helpful thread so far! Thanks all-vryone!

Excellent!! Thank you! Wow... yeah, I didn't know that. I also never knew that the drop boxes on good kits had a front and back! I've only ever had them on my FX and they are just the fronts... very nice, thanks!

Good idea!

Oh, and I know that's all I NEED... but I'm using this as an excuse to get more armor and start new. The only armor I have for TK is FX, and now that I have TE2 sandtrooper I can't hardly stand to look at my FX.

You're welcome! Thanks for the info so far. (are you taking notes on your own info?) haha And thanks Mark, you answered a lot of my questions. The drop boxes are LOOPED over the belt too?! That's a new one to me. Got close up pictures of that by chance?

It's not AS detailed. It's just more detailed than FX. We're not talking about the difference between a mountain range and the great plains here... we're talking about a mountain range with every pebble showing or one with only pebbles bigger than your fist showing. (That analogy make sense?) FX is just a mountain model without any rocks at all. One thing you can do on the HIPS armor is strengthen it. I just figured this method out on my TD last week and am thinking of buying enough E-6000 to basically "coat" my next set of armor completely on the inside with a layer of canvas and E-6000 before final trimming, assembly and painting it. That would really make it strong. The thing is ABS is "tackle me and I'll bust a crack" strong. HIPS is "hit me with a bat and I'll bust a crack" strong. BOTH are "troop in me and pack me and use me and I'll last good strong."

Okay, you've convinced me... I'm going to get another set of armor and go all out elite ESB with it! I spent all last night going frame by frame through the movie (found some funny stuff I'd never seen before too btw... like reversed scenes, ammo plates on legs at crazy angles and such) and soaking in the glory that is ESB. I've also been reading and re-reading the EIB requirements so I know what I'll need to have. So... while it will probably be first of the year before I actually start on the build, I wanted to clarify some things first and ask some questions. The helmet I have down. No questions there. I will be getting another set of Mike's decals (I have a TD set) and basically I'm going for this bucket — without the flaws of paint chipping. The only real question I have about the bucket... and I think Mike can answer this too... is what sort of primer do you use? And, do you use it on the entire armor as well? (I'm guessing "yes.") I didn't prime my TD at all... partly because I thought as it "chipped" it would add to the effect of the TD, which it is, but I want my ESB TK to be primo... so priming is not an option. Here are the questions I have about assembly... 1) Are the drop boxes a bit "further back" towards the sides than on ANH? 2) Is the holster simply "looped" over the belt? 3) When you wear the blaster in the holster is the "grip" forward? (so as to draw the gun out with your left hand by reaching over) 4) Are the backs of the ribbed shoulder straps connected... or do they "float" like in ANH? And finally, if anyone wouldn't mind posting or PMing me about these things I'd appreciate it... 1) Where's the best place to get a belt? (are those non-canvas strap belts still available by anyone?) 2) Where's the best place to get a holster? 3) Where is the best place online for high-res ESB screen grabs? That's it for now! I can't wait to start my build thread... and to have as good of a TK as I do a TD! Woo hoo!!!

I've not seen that new armor (I don't think), but I've heard good things. And yeah, I doubt it will be called "FX". But, again, I don't know. Personally I still choose something different... but ask 100 guys on here and you'll get 101 answers.

This is pretty much what I did on my TD too... fudging in the back is a lot less noticeable.

This is a fun read... and you guys are (of course) doing a great job of answering Brandon's questions... but I did want to jump in and reiterate a few things... since it is a "forum" and all. First off man, you know ATA will need to be painted too... right? That being said, I've seen some pretty impressive sanding tutorials for HIPS armor that use zero paint. THAT being said, if you're gonna go with HIPS wait a few extra days / weeks / minutes and get TE2. I also agree with what doug said about his FX armor. I was really, really happy with mine (bucket and all) until I watched the movies again... and then started seeing pictures of other people's armor... and then... well... it doesn't hold its place on a pedestal long for anyone. I've said it on many threads so far and I'll say it again... if you're getting into this new I just can't, in good conscience, recommend starting with FX. Start "high" and go "higher." There's no reason (money, time, nothing) that should make you start with FX anymore. That's my most humble and gracious opinion.

Have you got any pictures? Wearing and not wearing the helmet would be great.

Hey guys... check this out! Whilst looking at screen grabs of ESB troopers (anyone know a good resource for those btw?) I noticed this shot of Lando and Lobot holding some confiscated E-11s. Look at the ends... some of them have the extra "level" on them! ------ Has anyone else caught this? Did I actually just score a "good eye"? hahaha

Nope... I didn't need anymore incentive... ESB is what I am planning for my next build (whenever that is). BUT... I still love the pictures! Great looking suit man!! Wouldn't you have to see a picture of what he was shooting at to know if he hit it before you assess if he's a "great shot" or not? hahaha... jk

I totally don't think you're crazy. In fact, I'm with you on the loving to say, "I MADE it." All 37 years of my costuming life (plenty of pictures on facebook if you want to friend me) I have prided myself on looking like someone "hired me to be there," and then getting to tell people, "No... I made it myself." To which such questions follow like; "Yeah, but I mean the mask... where'd you get that?" or... "No, but you mean you sewed it all?" or... "How?" That all being said, being a stormtrooper is different for me. Instead of saying, "I made it..." I like to say, "----- But no, I can totally understand wanting to have that satisfaction rather than the satisfaction of looking screen accurate... I'm just not "there" when it comes to TK armor. (Believe me when I tell you though that if you make a suit I doubt it will be long before you're wanting to buy a screen accurate suit... there's just nothing... and I mean nothing... like it.) First off, yes, please... for the sake of all our childhood memories... if you do make your own make it better than what is on that web site! haha That was cool about 12 years ago when they originally posted it... ain't cool no more. Secondly, there are tons of resources out there... plenty here on these very forums even. ----- And then, of course, there's TM (troopermaster). He sculpted his own armor and it is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! You see many guys on here who wear, and prefer, "TM" armor to anything that is made from original molds. Basically I would say here is going to be your best resource to ask questions, post pics, get input, and so on and so on... much more than Google. If you really take your time and make it good you'll have something to be proud of for sure! Good luck!

Tried this last troop... AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

Ooooooooooooooo LOTS of good tips! And yeah! Next year is ESB 30th... wow... yeah, that seals it. Gots to be ready!

Thanks for the input fellas. I def want to go ESB next... and get EIB status doing so... how I decide to do it only time will tell. Well... time, and then me on here... I'll tell too.

So, since I've gotten deployed in the MEPD now and have, if I may be so bold to say, one kickin' sandtrooper costume... I'm beginning to dream of doing an ESB again and am considering taking my white FX TK and my MR CE and retooling it to be an ESB. Basically this would mean a few things as I see it... 1) I would have to get some of Mike's awesome ESB decals, repaint my helmet (one more time) and apply them. 2) I would have to get a holster for my belt. 3) I would have to make a canvas belt 4) I'd have to fix my shoulder straps... they are currently riveted... 5) I'd have to rip the counter off my sci-fire E-11... (no biggie)... and add a couple of more T-tracks, etc. Or just get an ESB gun from somewhere. 6) Get the right kind of hand plates. I could also just start fresh with a new set of armor... but I can't afford that now... but I can wait. I mean I'm very, very happy with my TD right now. I just wanted to post this and see what the response was like. I may convert parts over one at a time... paint my bucket, get the hand plates, etc., etc. So... thoughts?

Yeah... use Krylon. It's really good if done right. I used it on my MR CE helmet because — at the time — I was too stupid to read the directions on the Rust-Oleum and thought it didn't work right. But yeah, Texas wouldn't be an ideal place to do it with Rust-Oleum... unless you can do it indoors somewhere.

Did you see this? Or, did you try "right" clicking and doing a "save link as"?

Very nice man, and yes, totally 501st acceptable I believe! The MR CE is a good bucket for sure... especially when you "upgrade" it like you've done. Good job!

THANK YOU! I had just asked about this on facebook!

This is a really nice bucket for sure!!

Hahaha... maybe I should just repaint my MR CE (again) and change my FX over to ESB. I did just trim down the chest plate today. I can't afford to get more armor yet... plus I think I want TM's flexi armor when it's done for my ESB. And, if the requirements are more strict then it will just "force me" to get another blaster... darn the luck.