Mopar McNeer

Cotton Gloves eh? I wonder how they fit and how well they function compared to silks?

Along the same lines, are the ones available in the ATA kit EIB & Centurion approved? I was looking at the ones found on www.trooperbay.com, but figured if the ATA ones I got with my helmet would pass - I would just paint those and save the $35. If anyone could chime in on that, I would appreciate it.

lol.... Someone has hung on to that for over 30+ yrs!!!!

Definately - if I was going to paint them, I would use the masking templetes for sure!

Canvas FTW!! But it may depend on your budget and the level you are trying to achieve with your costume too.

I would have put this in a different forum, but since it was costume specific, I felt this might be best here... I'm still researching my ANH Hero build (using an ATA Helmet) and am asking for your assistance and guidance once again. I've been looking at the "Dave M" decals on www.trooperbay.com (link to product: http://trooperbay.co...-helmet-decals/) The product description reads: So using decals is obviously much easier than painting the details, but honestly I could do either (I'm not afraid of a little paint). But using decals would really make that part a breeze too and let me move on to other parts of the build . But my main concern has to do with using the decals and the EIB & Centurion Approval. My goal is both EIB and Centurion approval, so..... _______________________________________________ Basic 501 standards: Traps (trapezoids on dome of helmet) and tears (area beneath the corners of eye lenses) are gray. Rear traps and tears have vertical black lines. Tears, traps, and tube stripes may be hand painted, decals, or decals that replicate hand painted. EIB standards: * Traps/tears and tube stripes shall have the correct ANH TK details. Centurion standards: * Tears/traps shall be hand painted or use decals that emulate hand painted (with correct ANH TK details) (all from 501st Hero CRL: http://www.501st.com...ing:TK_anh_hero) _______________________________________________ The way I read it, the "Dave M" decals should meet EIB & Centurion standards (assuming they have the correct ANH TK details), but I thought I would seek some second opinions and reassurances from the FISD knowledge base (you!). Am I correct? Can I use the decals and still meet EIB & Centurion requirements? Do these decals have the necessary ANH TK details? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Yeah, I use rubber gloves and medical gloves often when working on my drag car and my vintage rides (to keep clean) and when I remove the gloves, my hands and the insides of the gloves are soaked.... Pics? Is there any particular brand that people here use often?

Ordered a set today of Bright White ones from Trooperbay.com along with the rubber gloves. It has been recommended to wear a silk glove under these to keep the perspiration down, anyone have a recommendation on that or even a photo of what people use most?

Yes sir. I do this with most of my projects anyway (be it home repair/construction, electronics builds, or working on my cars). I like to know how much I spent and where the funds went to. Plus I thought others might like to see just how much it costs in the real world to build a kit like mine. Yeah, I found that out after having purchased the blaster, but no biggie. I did end up purchasing a better one (more on that later when it arrives), but lets just say this "E-11 Hyperflex". I hope that will do the trick. Yeah, I probably won't show my fiance this list either (she already thinks I'm nuts having a basement full of Star Wars stuff). But it's not just her, my friends think I'm crazy too (see pic of my basement, am I crazy? you tell me). lol I'm financing this endeavor completely by selling some of my car part stash and doing side jobs for people. Thanks! I appreciate having this great forum and all the wonderful and helpful folks here to give me a hand when I need it and for all the information that is already out here to find.

Thanks for the chime-in on this!!! I'll be placing a decent order with you very soon. Thanks for having the great products available to us!

FEB 21st, 2012 Well, I've been on FISD for a few weeks now, literally reading and researching and asking questions like crazy. I thought I had better start my build log. I plan on doing things a bit different maybe than most. I'm going to do the usual pictures and progress, but I thought I might add in some info about the costs I'm incurring along the way in the following categories: Helmet/Armor (helmet & armor kit, boots, undersuit, etc), Weapons (blaster, etc), Enhancements (upgraded bits and stuff not in the basic kits), Tools (hobby iron, exacto, etc) and Materials (paint, glue, etc). On top of the costs, I'm going to add additional info such as vendor, part #'s, links, etc too - and I'll keep a running dollar total. I've decide to build an ANH Hero costume. My goal is to get EIB approved and then Centurion approved. At this point, I've been buying stuff for a few days now, but have not yet picked up an armor kit. But I have spent a lot of time researching kits, fitment, and screen accuracy so that I'll (hopefully) make the best decision (with all of your assistance of course). I'm 6' 0" and currently weigh about 215 (but have ranged from 200-220 within the last year). I initially looked into the AM kits because I had heard that they were good for larger framed guys. But in short order I found that the AM kit really wasn't that great and would need a ton of work to meet my goals. The second kit I looked at was the ATA kit, but after researching found that it might be a bit too small for me and would need shimming. I'm currently strongly considering the RT-Mod kit, but haven't yet made the plunge. My first purchase was an ABS Helmet Kit from ATA. I had read that this helmet was fairly screen accurate and had a much better fit (appropriate size) than the AM one and would be cheaper than the RT-Mod version. I ordered the kit on Thursday 2-17-12 and received it in the mail today, 2-21-12. See requisite "helmet box" pics below: I went to my local Hobby Lobby and picked up a few things to help get me started including a stainless steel ruler, X-acto Replacement Blades (as I did have the knife), some Testors Gloss Black #1147 paint, and a couple tubes of E-6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive tubes. I also saw a Hasbro E-11 Blaster at target and a Stormtrooper figure (I won't count that in my tally) that I figured I had better pick up too. I then researched the Droopy Doo's conversion kits...but ended up going a different route (more details to come). I ordered a few other things, but I won't be posting those until I receive them. I can't wait to dig into building my helmet. I've been reading several threads, compiling many reference pics, and have watched all of the video segments on www.trooperbay.com. I hope you enjoy my build log and look forward to your feedback and observations. NEW PURCHASES: * ABS ATA Helmet Kit from ATA - $133.00 (include shipping) - HELMET/ARMOR * STAINLESS STEEL RULER from Hobby Lobby, maker Pacific Ave # M-15 - $3.99 - TOOLS * X-Acto Replacement Blades #11 (5 pk) from Hobby Lobby, maker Xacto #X211 - $2.79 - TOOLS * Testors Gloss Black Paint from Hobby Lobby, maker Testors # 1147 - $1.59 - MATERIALS * E-6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive (x2) from Hobby Lobby, maker Amazing - $3.99 ea - MATERIALS * Stormtrooper E-11 Blaster from Target, maker Hasbro - $19.99 - WEAPONS CATEGORY TOTALS TO DATE: Helmet/Armor: $133.00 Weapons: $19.99 Enhancements: $0.00 Tools: $6.78 Materials: $9.57 GRAND TOTAL TO DATE: $169.34

I'm not sure what that stuff is, but I'll do some research and try to figure it out. Any particular brand or type that you recommend (beyond latex to latex)? Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah, the cost difference was the thing that was holding me back actually (several hundred dollars) from going RT-Mod over ATA. I was thinking, "for that much $$, could I make the ATA work for me?" and things of that nature. I'm hoping to get back down to 185-200, but you know how that goes....lol I'm thinking I better play it safer than sorry, even if it does cost me a bit more. I haven't yet plunked down the cash for an armor kit...but am getting closer every day. I did however receive my ATA Helmet today (I wish I could leave work now and good work on it.... hehehe). I can't wait to get started on it. I'm going to keep research, asking opinions, and looking at pictures before taking the leap on the armor kit though...

So how difficult was the decision to go this route after having an already kick-an impolite person TK costume? Were you nervous to paint that red? Looks really good.

I'm certainly no expert, but I agree with your take - back looks great but the front gap is pretty noticible. Time to trim a new ear.

While I have no idea what the TK truly stands for, if you think about it, the designations are alot like license plates. There are so many troops, like plates, that you must have some combination of letters and numbers to distinguish one trooper from another. Much like a social security # for Americans (except thats all numbers). So depending on how many digits you go out (TK-XXXXXXXX), at some point it just easier to change the alpha part of the designation to keep the overall lenght short. But this is a galaxy far, far away...so who knows if those bits of logic apply.

Ah, good to know. Thanks DF. As a newb, I'm learning something (well, lots of things) every day!!! I figured Trooperbay was selling approved stuff, but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask.

I'm still researching for components that I'll need to complete my costume. My overall goal is to aim for both EIB and Cent. Approval when finished. I was looking at the Gloves & Hand Guards Combo on trooperbay.com (link: http://trooperbay.com/gloves-hand-guards-combo/ ). My question is on the black gloves and white guards. The description says : My questions are: A) Are the gloves going to cause me any issues with EIB or Cent Approval? Are the Hand Guards going to cause me any issues with EIB or Cent Approval? C) Is attaching the guards using the industrial adhesive the best method (or most accurate method)? If not, can some one lend some advice. D) I'm not as worried about cost as I am about accuracy for my EIB/Cent approval. That being said, is this the best solution to my need for gloves and guards? Or is there something better I should be considering? Thank in advance for helping a Newb.

Got it. I had heard that the ATA would be a bit small-ish too for my frame and was advised that the RT-Mod might fit better for me with less work.

I think you are on the right track contacting RT-Mod about a complete suit. I was going to suggest just that as it should fall within your budget and RT-Mod offers the service to finish the kit.

yep... Sorry RT-M I've been leaning more toward getting the RT-Mod armor over the ATA or AM. I've hear that it should fit my body type better and be more screen accurate out of the box. I know it is more costly, but I am really trying to get the right kit for me the first time.

Are you saying the RM armor is a bit small for us? Just wanted to clarify. And yeah, all of the threads about the plates on the AM kit is what steered me away from the kit.

Be sure to consider your size and weight when looking at full kits. Also research on the fitment and accuracy of the kits too before making your decision on what works best for you. I've been doing that for the last couple weeks.

I was thinking about getting the Droopy kit to convert the Hasbro as well as a complete resin kit too.

Congrats!