rapstertee

Thanks, you two. I'll never be too far away, and a new costume will be on my mind at all times.

Unfortunately, it looks as though my short-lived trooping hobby is coming to an end. I've been into SW since my childhood - saw ANH in the summer of '77 and its made a lasting impression on me. Films, TV and design that I do all stem from that movie. I had a book launch in 2008, I thought of inviting the UKG down to make the event special, so I met up with Julian , Leigh and Andrina, and told them of my intention to become a TK. I finally got myself an AP kit that year, and thru this great site the FISD, I met a TK called Lizzeh who helped encourage me during the building of it. the few troops I've done (about 8 in total) have been great fun and I've made some friends like Leigh, Andrina, Chris C, Pinky and a couple more, all splendid people. My TK numder 2135 was chosen as it is my late mother's date of birth, and I hoped to have done some good in her memory. Wearing a movie accurate TK suit is a great experience and I've had some fond memories. Now the sad bit. Unfortunately, due to my lifestyle and circle of friends, it's become apparent that I'm no longer enjoying trooping as a TK. Mainly because my self-employed status makes it very difficult to afford the trips and none of my (non-ukg) friends are interested in being a TK, or joining up. Like I said, Pinky and co are totally awesome people, but I'm talkingabout closer, day-to day mates. So I'm in a bit of a vacuum. The lack of disposable income is not helping at all - If I could, I'd just keep my armour in storage and troop when I could afford to, but unfortunately, I'm having to sell it at a big loss (when you price it up plus labour) just to keep the rent and bills paid. This really hurts, as I love my TK number and the people I've met. There just isn't any money coming in. In the future I hope to have a less cumbersome costume, like an Reel Icons character or SW alien or possibly even a Biker, and then I can troop for fun when the funds allow, but for now I need to prioritise housing, bills and food, and as a few other TKs here know, something has to go. It's like cutting off an arm, but what can you do? Hopefully I'll return when things improve. As for now, my AP kit (minus lid and blaster) are in the For Sale thread, and will be sold on July 9th, after my final troop. I'd just like to thank Daetrin, Smitty, Lou, Stomper, Lizzeh and countless others for helping me become a trooper, and I hope it won't be too long before I return, whether as a TK or something else.

All I did was a short length of 1" elastic, glued to the cod, then a snap on the butt plate. no problems at all.

My AP kit took me 3 months to trim and build - and I'm an ex-prop and set builder! SO if you need something quickly, like the other poster said, try for a set that another TK is giving up. Otherwise, I'd suggest you don't rush and work on a set from new. It's a great experience and is so much more rewarding when you finally put it all on, and tell people, "I built this, pretty much from scratch."

Well done Mark. You're the man.

I don't think it matters. They're identical, ( i found then identical anyway) and don't have the 'swoops' on the raised parts, so go for it, you'll be fine.

If you don't want to use ebay, try play.com for an MRCE. They're reliable and a good price too. I bought one and was very happy with it. But for screen accuracy, you'll probably be much happier with perhaps an AP helmet or similar. Only TAKE YOUR TIME (and ask lots of advice) when building it - it can ruin your day if you mess it up!

I don't think reccommending ebay to a new recruit is a very good idea. We're hoping to gain another proud trooper, not someone who got ripped off by a recast or an overpriced kit. In fact, I reccommend every TK or wannabe TK stays clear of that site.

I'm another 'fossil!' - I saw my first TK in London, outside a cinema around 1978. It was on a mannequin, so me and my friends all had the oppurtunity to see it in detail. I remember seeing thin green gels in the eyes, and was surprised to see that the tube stripes were just a strip of white paper with blue curves on it, not cut vents as I thought they'd be. The trooper had black rubber gloves and from what I remember, the armour was beginning to yellow. It was only 2007 before I saw the next one - when I invited Leigh and Julian from the UKG to my book launch party. They thought I was pretty strange, asking, "er...do you mind if I touch your armour? It's been a while!!"

Don't rivet them! I think most troops here would agree you have two choices for glue: E6000 and Poly Weld. E6000 (I've never used it) I hear it takes a long time to cure, but is a very strong bond. Poly Weld, is great, but you have to rub a bit of sandpaper on the areas where yo uwant to glue, and be VERY careful that it doesn't drip. I used Poly Weld on my AP, not many mistakes, and firmed thigns up with Cyanoacrylate (crazy glue (USA) or Super-Glue (UK)

A guy I know actually curved his AP ab plate by donning welders gloves and holding the plate over a gas cooker ring! Worked fine!

I had the EXACT same problem withthe ab plate, so this is that I did: I used a heat gun on the inside, making viertical strokes to soften the plastic - about 5 or 6 inches from the side edge, then once it was pliable, bend it gently in and i dipped it into a basin of cold water to cool it down. It might take a few attempts - and don't get too close with the heat, ok? The finished result is you're looking for a smooth, even curve, where the very sides of the ab plate are parallel with each other. Imagine a U shape - where the bottom of the U is the front of your abs. Looking at your backplate, you could then probably afford to trim an inch off each side, before you hinge the front to the back. But don't cut anything until the ab plate is perfect. I'd suggest getting a roll of masking tape and having someone tape the pieces together with you in it, so you can see how it'll go tgether.

Looking good - I love my AP but - I have a confession: I'm the only AP wearer for miles around. I know of only one other guy in AP and I just feel inferior compared to all the FX / RT / SDS /TM guys around. It feels like I'm less shiny, off-white, and the AP's screen-style 'innaccuracies' make me stand out at troops, so it looks lik eI'm in the cheaper-looking suit.

I did my entire AP armour using a scalpel. NO sandpaper, no dremel. All you have to remember is: 1. DRAW a pencil line to guide you first, then SCORE very lightly and slowly. This will make a groove that the next few scores will follow. SLOWLY is the key. If you slip, use something like the back of a spoonto rub the scratch down, adn it'll be hardly noticeable. If you have trouble following a pencil line, stick insulation tape on the ABS and follow the edge of that. (If you slip with a Dremel, it'll be harder to hide) 2. Bend gently along the line, until it goes easily. It should snap cleanly. 3. Use the blade at 90 degrees to the sharp edge of the plastic, and run it across two or 3 times. That should smooth the edges. You can of course use a little sandpaper, but try not to rub the glossy face of the armour too much. If the plastic is too thick in places (and it will be often), bend it a tiny bit and runght blade dwon the bent groove, it'll soon become easier to bend and snap. USE GREAT CAUTION witha scalpel. I slipped a number of times, the worst one nearly involved a 999 call, as when it cuts, it cuts deep! so be very careful, ok? also, when you bend and snap, ensure the snap happens slowly and under control, don't let it thwack you in the face!

HAAAHAAAAHAAAHAAAHAAA! that's brill!

I'd disagree with you there...all white would be much trickier than layered weathered effects. I've built a lot of sets n props over the years.....a Boba Fett would be great fun to paint, but a C3PO or TK -terrifying!

As you can see, TE2 has a LOT of fans. I can't comment specifically on it as I've never seen it up close, but I imagine the sharper detail that comes from the HIPS plastic is a good thing, while the arduous task of painting and priming (make a mistake and you're in for a world of pain) is not so good. The main TWO reasons I picked AP (it was gonna be FX ) is that its more accurate than FX and it fits smaller people - I'm 5'8" - there are some guys here who are 6' wearing AP too , though. Of course I have AP. Yes, it was a little tricky to assemble - thighs more so than any other part. Helmet easy. Shins easy. And this is just a personal preference, but I don't like the sound of a bumpy cap. Whether its a genuine screen-used look, the man in the street will think you've messed up your paint job. My AP doesn't seem to polish up as shiny as some TM or FX suits that I've seen - but then again, I've never used Novus on it, just good ole Mr. Sheen spray polish. Heres a pic - I'm on the right, while the other two are wearing FX armour with (i'm pretty sure) SDS lids. You decide. -------------- I've just noticed my kit has that faint blueish tint to it. Which is fine, I feel it looks more 1977! Oh - and look how SPACIOUS my codpiece is hahaha!

All I have is a small square of velcro hooks on the inside front of the belt, the furry loop velcro on my ab buttons - (in the righ tposition of course) - it's never failed me.

Sounds good! might get one to replace my Triktoys feedback generator!

I concur. I have a problem with Directors popping back to mess about with their original edits. YOU TOO GEORGE!!! I loved Harrison Ford's 'forced' laconic narration, even if he hated doing it.

I simply sprayed my TD canister with grey primer - after all it wasn't painted in 1977, they used standard british pvc pipe, which comes in a mid-grey very close to that of the humbrol grey. looks fine.

During the summer of ..er...when ROTS came out, George Lucas had STAR WARS logos all over one of the Formula 1 team cars. When it went in for a pit-stop, the pit team all had white jumpsiots on, and their F1 helmets all had TK style faceplates on which made them look like Stormtroopers, or at least the Clone pilots. Some pics.... -------------

All the best, Paul. Remarkable achievement. Heres to the next 5000!!!

PM sent.

Hey Zach, Hellooooo and welcome.