gmrhodes13

I do get around LOL, looking forward to the fans

Would you be able to pm contact details ?

Thanks Nicky, well on my way of learning I have managed to provide some info to help others, think this happens to most on their build journey. I have had a great time with this armor build, from the start of being scarred of the first cut, to the end with the final fit up, it is amazing how much you can learn in such a short time, but there is allways more to learn

Helmet close ups

And a few more pics

Just emailed my local GML so I will be stalking my emails and eagerly waiting for approval, cross fingers it won't take too long. The years of wanting to become a stormtooper and it's hard to believe I was walking around as one today

Looking good, I made my own also. Keep up the good work

Just a few pic's kitted up

Thanks Bryan, made my own TD clips, was pretty easy, just used some 1 inch aluminum, very easy to bend, then attached with flat head screws

Just finished fitting ammo belt on shin and painted split rivet

Thanks Paul

Ah seems like a life time ago I started my pre build shop, then the long wait for the armor to arrive, only blaster builds kept me sane. Good luck will be awaiting for the start of your build

You can just use some clamps on the ends and then tape around your cover strips. I had 20 magnets and they weren't enough, tape worked well for me. I found my backs wouldn't close very well so I applied some heat on both sides of the backs of the shins while putting some pressure down, this was enough to flatten the cover strip, now they close perfectly. Keep up the good work

John is not doing any at the moment

Very cool, congrats on you're first time

Good luck Aidan, hope all works out for you in the future

Tried with the belt too but still flared out, it was either heat and bend or try the tabs, easy to remove the glue from the tabs if it doesn't work, I am a bit fussy with the way things look LOL

Even with tighter elastic my sides still wanted to spread open. What I have decided to do is glue some small abs tabs inside on the widest openings, once closed this will stop them spreading out as the pressure will be on the other sides.

Have tried 600 grit on test pieces and works fine for me. I also do automive painting, 1200 is more for polishing, the 600 will give the paint something to bond to. Up to you what ever works best

I have two different versions of the e-11 blaster made by Hasbro and I have found no difference. Have a look at some of the e-11 blaster builds to see what you are in for, also if you are really handy with tools you can have a go at making some of the conversion pieces, just a thought

I must admit I am a closet nerd, didn't really tell people about my hobby allthough they new I collected a lot of scifi merchandise. Trying to explain about making blasters when a few freinds had seem them haning up drying, they kinda looked at me and said "we would never have thought you where a nerd", what a compliment LOL

Good luck with approval trooper

Thanks Serge, think I'm just at the tweaking stage, trying to get everything to sit right, just need a little heat on my butt sides as they seem a little wide on the corners. Found a few ouchie bits so a bit more trimming to be done. Also ATA armor chest plates seem a bit different than other makers, the shoulder straps want to sit as 1 large ridge and 3 small ridges, to fit on the 5 small ridges I would have to heat and form so I will think about that today

You can also get an additive for painting plastic/rubber if you use automotive paint, just allows for a little flexing, most automotive paint stores can tell you more. I would use a 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper rub down with soapy water and in circular motions to avoid straight lines in the armor

A few photo's I had a freind take so I could see gaps and spacing