tkrestonva

I told my garrison members (both full and prospective) last night that if you are already in the queue for a fan-made ABS kit (ATA, TM, RS, AM/NE, AP, etc.) but are also on the preorder list for one of the ANOVOS classic TK kits, don't give up your spot in the queue just yet. Hedge your bets and take a wait-and-see approach.

Looks like you won't have to worry about matching ABS to PVC - the entire suit will now be made of PVC. http://www.anovos.com/products/star-wars-classic-trilogy-imperial-stormtrooper-pre-order

Does anyone know how much these run for if they were purchased at SWW? I want one, but I also want an idea of how much the pirates at eBay are marking them up.

Bill really nailed it. I've trooped in a light rain before, and I didn't even feel it. Follow Bill's guidance, and the most you will have to worry about is (1) decreased visibility due to lens fogging, and (2) loss of traction with your boots.

Interesting bit of background from the guy who designed the TFA stormtrooper armor. http://www.starwars7news.com/2015/05/costume-designer-michael-kaplan-reveals-how-apple-inspired-the-force-awakens-stormtroopers.html

I'm doing my first full test fitting this weekend. I'll post some pics from that.

I haven't seen any so far. Seems that between the shoulder bells and the biceps, the branding stays pretty well hidden.

Haha, nice photos! As for the leg tightness, I agree - now I know what women go through in trying to get a set of pantyhose on that are just a bit too small. I'm actually considering greasing up my legs with baby oil before putting these on next time. Still, the good news in that is that (1) I have plenty of coverage at the knees with these longer gaskets (I'm 6'1"), (2) I don't require Velcro (or any other means) to keep the leg gaskets in place, and (3) even with the knee plates attached (I use Chicago screws that attach to the inside of the knee armor via nylon snap plates) I can still slip in and out of the thigh armor - which makes getting dressed MUCH simpler than having to put on the thigh armor first, then the knee gaskets with the knee plates attached. I'm also going to try wearing bike shorts as opposed to full-on tights and see if that helps, since you really only need the undersuit coverage at the hips. But I couldn't agree more - it was money well spent. Hopefully all of the TFA troopers can get their hands on a set of these.

I assembled mine yesterday, and I agree - MUCH better. They are lighter, less bulky, and I can actually move in them. Further, the way they fit is like a wetsuit - I don't need any sort of strapping to hold the shoulders together or Velcro to keep them from coming out of the hard armor. I also like the fact that the adhesive you use is commonly available - no special glue required. Aside from the general suck of having to troop with gaskets to begin with, I could hardly be more satisfied.

Nice work.

Yes, that's it.

Nice work. Will you be offering these as kits, finished helmets, or both?

The set is available from McMaster-Carr. Here is the list - each one has a part number associated with it. I'll have to find and post a pic of exactly how they are mounted later, unless someone else beats me to it. 1 - 3/4" bottom mounting screw 1 - 1" top mounting screw 1 - 3/4" button head screw 6 - 1/2" flat head screws 1 - 1/8" stainless spacer, no.6 (to go around the button head screw)

http://www.originalprop.com/blog/2015/04/18/star-wars-celebration-anaheim-2015-photos-of-movie-props-costumes-and-models-from-star-wars-the-force-awakens/

I'm sure everyone is aware of this by now, but Stony Props over at the RPF has already sculpted the helmet. Aside from the chroming of the armor itself, it seems like the hardest part of doing this costume has now been done.

If it helps, we now know that there is actual metal screw hardware that is part of the larger resin holster. Some of us were able to acquire a set at or prior to SWCA and install it in our thigh holsters (I did - it took some effort to do). Time will tell whether or not it will be enough to make the thigh holster function as intended.

I haven't officially trooped in my TFA yet, so far I've just done some test fittings. Even without the shoulder gaskets, I have hairline cracking in the bondo where the yoke meets the backplate. I have broad shoulders, so I really have to contort myself to get into the back assembly - and it still requires a good bit of flexing on the back assembly to get in/out of. On my to-do list for repairs - fill the crack with something more flexible (thinking some sort of flexible glue or ABS slurry) and touch-up paint.

Either rubber or resin works for Centurion. The biggest difference between rubber vs resin is lightness and durability (rubber) vs sharpness of detail and feeling like you are holding the weight of an actual weapon (resin). Because THG is made domestically (assuming you are in the U.S.) whereas DoopyDoos is a U.K. import, a THG kit might be easier to get.

Excellent. I'm very much looking forward to getting a set.

I'm planning on doing the same thing and also making it a semi-permanent connection. I was going to try and use E6000 but I like your way better. I plan on permanently connecting the knee gaskets to the thighs, the elbow gaskets to both the forearms and biceps, and - if I can figure out how to get in and out of it - the shoulder gaskets to the biceps. Just seems easier that way.

Wow. Nice job.

I found a belt sander to be an invaluable tool, so much so that when the owner of the belt sander we were using needed his back for work purposes, we immediately ordered another one. The TFA kit requires a MASSIVE amount of trimming and sanding. Something like 68 pieces of plastic of varying shapes and sizes. Get yourself a belt sander, one that is also equipped such that you can sand curves as well. You won't regret it.

Someone take a look at her inner right shin/boot. Notice anything unusual yet oh-so-familiar? ** Hint: It rhymes with "duct tape".

The auto painter who painted my TFA trooper said he could pretty easily do a chromed TFA. No idea how much it would cost, though.

Nice job.