svache

I figured I may as well start a build thread here as well... well, it's more like a continuation thread of my old one at the TFA forums since I'm building again.. or still... lol... and I don't think it's really a build thread either, just some pictures here and there. Far too often I didn't think of making pictures lol, but I guess I share what I have anyways I was almost finished and could have finished in time for Celebration Anaheim, but my paint turned out very ugly (webbing) and some of the bondo cracked on the last Monday before Celebration started, which left me with too little time to get the paint cured if I would fix it right there and then. Add to this that the rubber knee gaskets were too short for my longer limbs (I'm only 6'0-6'1, but my torso is in comparison shorter than most people), and you can see it was better for me to hold off for a bit. Anyways, my journey started on March 24/25: 67 parts, the bag of greeblies not included... one big puzzle lol That's one part I wont be seeing back for a while....

I was recently advised to use this rather than bondo: http://www.devcon.com/products/products.cfm?family=Plastic%20Welder%E2%84%A2still have to go to the store to get it, but it isn't exactly in my neighborhood so been putting it off for now. And yeah, I too had issues with bondo cracking on some of the seams. Another thing Clint advised, and I agree, is to add ABS strips on the back of the seams. It makes it a lot more sturdy.

Nice to hear! And yeah, to be honest, some of the decisions how things were pulled were a bit surprising to us when we were building the armor, we saw room to things a bit different and making it slightly easier on us. But oh well, it was what it was

These pictures are super awesome! Many thanks to everyone who helped getting this picture of the ground! It was an absolute highlight of my stay at SWCA. I loved it from begin to end!

There's a seamline in the forearm where there shouldn't be one (well, in reality, there is one, but it is filled with a filler like bondo or something similar)

That looks awesome Shana! And yeah, I had Tasha talking me into starting to use plastic weld as well yesterday.. I was not able to go and get it just yet, but I'm hopeful about using it

lol inflatable sections.. I guess it's possible. I wonder if it is at all possible (dreaming away here) to have them filled with water and create some kind of water cooling system (or, make it like a space suit, have us pee in it and use some reversed osmosis system to... well... nah, never mind on that idea lol Is this what you're looking for in rib size?

Updated

I took the liberty to insert a few pictures of the armor when just wearing an undersuit without the gaskets into two other pictures where there are gaskets visible, maybe this shows why I'm a bit opposed to the idea of having them added to an undersuit.. I'm afraid that, when someone is a bit on the skinny side with their arms/legs, it will be visible when you have ribs on an undersuit, removing the entire idea of having a uniform size among troopers (which was the entire idea behind the gaskets to begin with).

I think it does, the costume is quite ugly without those gaskets, and it's worse if someone is a bit boney.

There's two different sizes. The ones on the forearms are slightly smaller than the ones on the suit.

lol that part I do agree with. I was actually relieved at CVII not to have my TFA with me but only my old TK. I throw that thing around without too much worries, I wouldn't have been able to do that with the TFA. Add in the heat the gaskets create... hmm yeah lol But still..lol! I was hoping to, if I wouldn't be ready for Anaheim, I would at least be able to troop it on May 3rd (for May the fourth be with you).. doesn't really look to be happening either... I switched my hopes to having it done before Episode 7 lol

At least yours is wearable lol

Man.. your armor is a very nice piece of work, great job! *goes back to sanding* lol

Actually I meant all the gaskets, as they all have tabs to attach them to the armor on the inside. I think the screen used may give a different appearance as the screen used gaskets are thinner, but the principle is likely the same.

It doesn't really matter if you're the only one or if there are more vendors, there's something to gain from and that may be seen as, or result in, a conflict of interest But, in all honesty, it doesn't really matter imho. Point in case, to me, is that we shouldn't become an exclusive group and should make it easier for people to join, rather than more restrictive.

I believe several things in there like the zippers, "jodhpur" etc should be level 2. The idea of the level 1 is to have a minimum in requirements, something people can easily get done and become a member. Without a good source for boots, I would love to see people to be able to be approved with regular TK boots. For example, a reason for me never to have gotten a clone was exactly the boots problem. We should avoid sending people away by making the suits too hard to get done. If anything, I'd say that the 75 people out there now with TFA armor, should be able to be approved the way they are now. We should use that for minimum requirements, and anything higher should become a level 2 imho. Please don't try to make the basic requirements higher than necessary simply because you are looking to supply the boots (seems like a conflict of interest to me).

Gio, the actual rib size, or the length of the gaskets? Also, when you do an undersuit, make sure that the gaskets will look like they are attached to the armor. They are made like this on purpose, so even boney people will look buff in the armor

That can't be done though, it would have to remain optional due to restrictions in some countries..

Unless you're really skinny, you could simply put it on like a shirt xD

Thanks for posting that Germain. While it answered some of my questions, it also raised a few new ones, and added some of concern. Like with the bucket... they said they went with a bigger version... does this mean it will be the FX among the TFA buckets down the road? Or what about the metal parts they spoke of in the premium version? From what i have seen in my bucket, and what I read here, it is almost like we have a combination of the cheap ABS and the premium fiberglass bucket...

I'm not entirely sure that would be a great idea. Right now, the gaskets are attached to the armor, giving the impression there's someone muscular underneath. When it is on the under armor instead, it may not give the same impression, especially when someone is a bit more bone-y

Thanks for the explanation, Giovanni. I appreciate it And you're right, if the boots are the same specs, it will not matter for approval. But my biggest issue was the things that transpired in the past and I would hate for people to have to wait a long time after ordering. If you're saying those issues were addressed, then that's great news

The rubber gaskets were the biggest issue imho... they're super hot, don't breathe and limit your mobility by a lot. In my own case, the knee gaskets are several inch too short. I am not that tall (between 6 and 6'1) but have long legs compared to my torso. Most, if not all, people will need a dedicated handler to get dressed, most are also unable to put on their buckets or take it off again. I think once the gaskets issue is addressed, the costume will become a lot better. But for now, I think it's the least comfortable I've worn so far... ok with the exception of the bucket, which is nice and roomy compared to my AP bucket lol

Hmm yeah... knowing a bit of the armor, I don't think that is exactly the case hehe