LadyInWhite

Just curious - how many of us have a backstory for our TKs? My GML (love him) said he has been asked for signatures (this is common at, say, Disneyland, same idea) and he signs his TK info and "Jaz" or something like that. I was "friends with" a costumed character at D-land once and they all have backstories. In theatre your character has a backstory, even if you don't say a word on stage. It goes along with the kid questions: Is that blaster real? Is it on? Do you shoot people? What planet are you from? Why is that one dirty? -- Are you stationed on the Death Star? Where were you when it blew up? What ship are you on? Where do you get stationed? Who's the officer in charge? Are you a clone? Where did you "grow up?" If you have a backstory, what is is, and if not, why not - or would you?

Yes, if you haven't heard the news, WE LIKE PICTURES!!!

Trim out the eye flashing a little more. Actually a lot more. I made that mistake at first... afraid to cut too much... but not all the way, you need some "socket" depth showing. Maybe 3/8-1/2 inch? (Guys feel free to slap me if I'm way off.) First of all, you want as much visibility as possible. Second, if you can make it all curve nicely on an even (curved) plane, not too bumpy, your lenses will lie flatter.

Haven't read it but sounds interesting. I thought some 50% or so were still clones, and some 50% or so were human recruits, or some proportions thereof... of the clones, none would be female of course. People assume automatically that's you're male, unless you're pretty obviously female. So as long as I fit that assumption, I prefer it. Then there are those days when I'm happy not to be. "TK-MOM!"

Yeah I kinda liked it Mr Nostripes. That video is living proof that no matter how good you feel in your armor, no matter how awesome you look in character, stairs are a pain the tuckus.

I love my "build buddy" most of all! *hugs* <-- okay too girlie for ya? Also, the humor and sense of community really shines through, it's beyond just helping or fixing. It's like that place at the mall where the cool kids can hang out, check out each other's kicks, and find out where to get 'em. And the fact that I have lasted this long without anyone telling me to shut up.

Obviously my SL/TK personality disorder has got the best of me. (There's a reason my SL costume isn't finished.)

This is a walk down memory lane!

What? I have a minion? That's for Sith Lords... how about wingman?

I come because I like helping out, and getting to know fellow troopers around the world a little better. When i got to Hawaii, I'm going to crash at Eric's - wait, okay, maybe not getting to know them that well. We can start with a beer. (This can so go the wrong way. ) Anyway, there's always something new and interesting going on with people's builds, people joining, questions for the never-ending tweaking process, etc. For a lot of folks, though, I suspect that once the build is done, unless they like helping out too, what's in it for them? I built my TK, going off to hang with my garrison buddies now. What could keep them coming back even when it's not about the build?

My local Home Depot people had never heard of the Stanley's, so I got this exact one as Dan on Amazon and had it shipped to my house. (Free shipping with Amazon Prime!) Was about $60. Pretty much all the guys with armor of any type, even TBs and DVs, use them. If you figure out how to stack everything in there just right, you can fit the bucket, boots, e-11 and all with room to spare. Of course the Rebels just drive to locations already suited up...

It's too bad there isn't a way to chase these losers off ebay, or at least chase down their posts so they remove them promptly before people waste their money.

I have been looking for a cost-effective 2-piece as well, because it'll be easier to get on-off for bathroom breaks. Currently I have and use two of these cheapies: http://amzn.to/IdktoW <-- prosport or whatever dive skin suits, zip up front, thumb locks, foot loops. Run small, pick a size bigger than you think. Feels nice, long arms, keeps me cool and dry (so far). I had to wear a patagonia long-john on top at Legoland. Meanwhile I'm looking into the eastbay set...

If you don't have to be canon, try silk or cotton gloves, something with a little more air flow.

This is kind of off topic (I love catching up on old threads), but it has to do with voice. Some guys at a division of my work (where the genius nerds who got picked on in school are now the geniuses who bring us all the best stuff in the world...) showed me something I'd only heard about for the past few years and it's made me OBSESSED. So obsessed that I have to go ask those guys if I can work with them now. Without pay. I can't say what it was. But let's just say that when a person is in costume, there is a way for that person to have thousands of canned, pre-recorded lines at their fingertips, so that every experience with every "fan" is unique and there is a response for everything, including active listening. They have not quite got it into the costume yet, and their "fan" experience is far more complex than ours, but I am now determined to try this out with the handful of movie lines from the SW movies somehow, so that while in my TK I can say "move along" when people are taking too many photos, or "there's one, set for stun" during a droid hunt... can you see where this is going? I simply imagine several PTT-type buttons in my glove, or a few under the ammo boxes on my belt, which activate pre-recorded lines. You could even record more lines and do all the voice changing in software and then export the clips to your little gadget. This could be done via hardware or software, depending on the genius who builds it. (Which is obviously not me.) This way, it really DOESN'T matter if you're a girl or guy! or if you have an iComm or ROM/FX! because you're always going to sound like you're still on screen! Hope I don't get fired for this - if you know who/what I'm talking about, please don't post it and don't tell them.

snap kits! See Eric's ANH Stunt build thread (pinned in that section).

I do career consulting for college kids a lot, as well as people later in their careers, and taught career development at a college. I admire you for considering the military. Most kids I encounter seem to have a chip on their shoulder that they deserve something more than reality allows right out of high school. "I got good grades, I did everything you said was good, so I am entitled to start with higher pay and more X and higher title and whatever." More than who, the 100 other applicants for this job who did the same, or the 10 people who work for me now who have paid their dues and already proven to me that they deserve more pay and better title? By exploring like you are doing, you are on the right path and it shows you have the right attitude to succeed at something. It might take you some time to figure out what it is you want to do, so keep that exploratory open mind. Perhaps consider a job/MOS that isn't going to be the one thing you do for your entire service, or that branches out into different areas of something you have an interest in - something to grow from. Keep learning - learn everything you can. It doesn't have to be formal in-class academic/training either. You'll find a niche where you're stimulated and comfortable and THAT is actually where your career starts. Sometimes that takes years, and sometimes it's just dumb luck. Your future is made up of what you do with your opportunities when they are presented to you.

Slightly worse than a solo trooper WITH a blaster. A target AND no defense!

This thread is amazing. Either you are exceedingly meticulous (I mean that in a good way) or that armor is exquisit, or both... because you make everything look so precise and clean. Nothing like the mess I was standing knee-deep in or the crap edges from my poor cutting skills!!! It's the cat. If not yours, the neighbor's or a stray.

You didn't put it in the box with your CT & blaster, did you?

Oh look, I might get some real work done for a change. Can't wait to see the results. Break an IT leg!

Seriously, if i had kept tabs on what I spent, my husband would have me committed. I keep reminding him, "At least I don't have a shoe habit." Can't forget to include supplies (tools, glue, snaps, scissors, polish, sandpaper, exacto blades, band-aids) and all that stuff that adds up in micro payments.

I don't know the difference in wearing or durability, but I do know you can make the regular ABS super duper shiny.

Impressive. Very impressive.

HAHA My husband won't STOP going on about making a Sandy and a HWT. I've decided he's going to be the Sandy and I'll build it for him!!! And he can wear that obnoxious backpack! But as for this, I want to conclude the thread by saying that "Matt Black" Rob walked me through the entire process of repairing this terrible damage, and I am happy to say that my shin is not only like new, it's better and shiner than new!!! Here's what I did: Wet-sand with 600 grit and soapy water until all the scratches were out. I would have given up on a few deeper ones that persisted but Rob kept me going and they did actually come out. This part was the most work, of course. Up and down, not circular, long even strokes, let the paper do the work, etc. [*]Wet-sand with 800 grit, then 1000, then 2000. (Next time I might use 1500 in between.) This was actually pretty quick. I got the sandpaper at an automotive store (Pep Boys). [*]Polish (by hand) with Maguiar's Ultimate Compound. This worked 3x faster than Novus 2 and boy is my arm/shoulder grateful. I have now touched up almost all my pieces of the suit with the Maguiar's and it is fantastic, and smells much nicer than the Novus too. Even the dome of my bucket, which I couldn't seem to get to a full shine to save my life, is super shiny! I can't wait to apply this to my car... but for that I need a tool, no way I'm doing my car by hand. (Wax on, wax off...) Thanks, everyone! Signing off, LadyInShinyWhite the Shiniest TK in the galaxy