Dday

Elu, go check out mynocksden.com he is a member here who poses a lot about what he is doing. He did a full build out on how to create a vacuum table that might give you some ideas. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I am not sure what you mean about people not wanting you to make armor to sell, maybe I missed something. If you make your own sculpts and molds in the same way you did the helmet, you selling armor is a welcome addition to the community. The community only gets better because of new people adding new talent. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Let's look at it like this, there is no legality given here on the fisd. We are just a bunch of fans who have come together in a hobby. Nothing anyone says here will stop you from casting, recasting, making, breaking or getting married to equipment. If you use someone's helmet to copy, then are using it to modify and create some sort of art, I'm sure no one will care. It's just that if you want to be a part of the community here and sell storm trooper armor parts, you have to show your work, that it is yours originally. Nothing is stopping anyone from buying a suit of armor 1st or even second hand, recasting it then selling it all day on eBay, other forums and so on. The prop community is pretty small, and if you get a name as a recaster selling stuff, most places will not allow you to sell there. But, that doesn't stop you from selling on eBay and locally and your own website and so on. Really, it's down to if you want to make and sell armor and want to be a part of the various prop communities, the make it your self, show the work you've done to make the molds and you'll be welcomed. Recast and sell on eBay, like the 100 other people doing the same. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

As everyone above has said, it's the general consensus. Most helmet kits you can get shipped out within a few weeks, it's the full armor kits that take forever. If you put it into the perspective of you as an artist, it's like someone copying your music, then someone copying them and rebranding it as their own. It's still yours, but now someone down the line is taking credit for it. No matter how many people down the line copied it, it was still yours to start with. If you plan on offering helmets for sale, best to do what you have done so far. You are pretty close to a finished product from what I have seen.

I think the 0.80 thickness is the thicker stuff, with 0.60 being the more flexible stuff. If you're making an art project vs looking to build/sell helmets, I'd go with the .80 as it's thin enough to get good details but thick enough to be pretty robust... But keep in mind, thick isn't always tough. I like the thinner ABS as it's more flexible and less prone to crack when different stresses and pressure are put on it.

You may run into issues with a hinge based system because the plastic will hit the buck on the one side before the rest and can cause some issues. Most times I have seen people have the plate come straight down by hand or some sort of system and then locking into the bottom plate to get an air tight seal. The best tables I have seen blow some air into the ABS a split second before it hits the mold to bubble out the ABS some before sucking it down which helps to get an even pull all over the buck.

Keep in mind, you don't need to troop in rubber gloves You can certify Centurion and troop in any level of approved costume. Rubber gloves aren't so super in high heat! It's all up to you though.

Awesome job, I can't wait for this to be finished!

Yeah, I thought they might have a stockpile or something.

I thought about that, but I don't need the full strapping package. I can find the elastics pretty easily, Mr. nostripes has a pretty good bracket setup, the eyes and hooks for the shins are pretty easy to find... so all thats remaining is the snaps. Once I have the size, which I feel comfortable with I'm good. And besides, is the RS strapping kit using the original stuff? Newey snaps and so on, or just the same style but current manufactured gear?

Awesome! As far as the helmet goes. I have heard of some people buying a baseball helmet and stripping the padding from that to place in the helmet. Also there is the military spec stick in padding. I know some people on the legion forums sell it, and maybe someone here as well. Cheaper way, just get some sofa foam and cut a few blocks and glue them in to get it to sit snug. I put on the undergear before I leave the house as well. Much easier once you hit the troop to change and it's good stuff so doesn't add any heat under all the clothes.

I thought I went through the RS suit pictures in the gallery and all I saw was comparison shows of snaps but didn't see any shows with the micrometer on them. Ok, so I found the shots with the sizing of the regular snaps. Head being 13.4mm, female end 13.8mm, then the other side being the tail, 12.1 and male end 10.2mm. I'm not sure how to properly name them, hahah. Based on the photos of the shoulder straps, I do agree with you Steffen, it seems to be about 18-20mm. Since we know the elastic is 25mm... http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/gallery/image/2962-dsc03217-zpsd2e23a22jpg/

When searching for current snaps and such, as newey stuff is basically impossible to find (at least what I have discovered) Does anyone have some sizing of the snaps? Shoulder sew in press fasteners, size 10.... is that a 10mm head? For the rest of the snaps, a 5/4 setup, ok but how many mm is a size 5?

OH, and if you hold your gun so close to your eye, the kickback might bust your helmet...

The suits were borrowed from people to show their general direction. Their finals.. we shall see. Looking forward to seeing what they put out.

The Bell with the big flare at the bottom should go on your left shoulder.

Some people do it, the UKG does it mostly but I've seen it done elsewhere. While it is not 'canon' it depends on the event organizers and the local garrison I believe.

CA glue works pretty good and really any epoxy based glue. Gorilla glue probably as well Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Most people start fitness threads... How to cut the pounds to fit in their armor! I can suggest eating about 5000 calories a day for a few weeks. You will bulk up fast. Just a joke, please don't do this! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You can use foam inside the armor to keep it placed right even though you're smaller inside. Just use it sparingly as a bumper, not a full padding as it can get very hot because of it.

But please, correct me if I am wrong and it actually is the thinner. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I want to say that's the thicker stuff. If this is the case I would stay away from brackets and go with snaps to prevent any cracking. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You also need to take into account the armor you will get. The bracket based system works best with the 1.5mm and thinner armors like those produced by TrooperMaster, and some other vendors. If you want to use the bracket system in the thicker 2mm armors, you will run into problems after a little while with the ABS cracking at the screw points due to the rigidity. The bracket system is great because it makes sure that all of the armor pieces sit exactly where they are supposed relative to the next piece, without any guesswork on how long the elastics need to be and where the snap plates go. However, one thing that makes the bracket system harder is it's lack of flexibility to break down the armor for transit. With snaps you simple unsnap and you can make it fit into a smaller box. Brackets mean you would have to unscrew one side, slip the elastic off and so on. Don't fear this though. People who have the bracket system generally don't need to separate the pieces. You get a box long enough to fit the torso (widely available) then when packing, the arms fit inside the shins, which then fit inside the thighs, then both thighs fit inside the torso. Think of those russian nesting dolls! It is a pretty compact package, just a little longer. So, like Ron said... "Depends!" Both are functional, both work. Factor in your armor, how much room you have and if you want to be screen accurate inside and out. What armor will you be getting and how thick is the plastic?

Hey Walt, looks like you're moving up in the world! Glad to see that some will be taking up the mantle of these helmets... maybe we will see a gino based mini tk helmet