aliens8us

I haven't posted in a while, so I'll have to update this. I had my first 'Armor Party' last weekend. We made measurements for the calf and thigh pieces, cut and glued (E6000) and used clamps to hold in place. Had to do some hunting at several places to get items to build the harness to be worn. Had to go to Walmart for the suspenders because Lowe's was out. Went to Hobby Lobby for strapping and snaps. Still a lot of work to do. Later, I replaced the mic tips from AP to the ones from Trooperbay. I touched up on frown and ears, painted the third bump for the rank of Corporal ( my favorite rank in the Marines); according to the rank structure that is found in the forum

My Package arrived from AP! So the first thing I did (ws act like that kid on Youtube who got his N64) was take out everything and inventory! The quality of AP TK Armor is exceptional! So what was the first thing to do? Put the Helmet together first, of course! It was pretty easy to figure out and took me maybe 20 minutes to figure it out. The bottom neck liner was tricky to put on at first, but no issue. I'll have to purchase some E-6000 later this weekend. The helmet harness that I purchased from Trooperbay fit in snuggly but had issues with making marks where I could glue the clips for the harness, so I opted for velcro instead and that works fine. The Mike tips that I ordered from Trooperbay came in on the same day. Now I'm slightly confused which Mic Tips to use; I heard that 501st would not accept AP (which comes with the TK). But I'm wodering if AP upgraded their Mic tips because they look like what I have seen on other troopers and pictures. Trooperbay's is solid black, AP has the silver ring. I took the chance of painting the frown, ears, and vocoder. I think I did better than I thought. But with the ears, I wasn't sure how much of the ear base has to be painted, so I stopped. The same for the vocoder. Any suggestions, Troopers? (On a side note, I have an Armor Party this weekend! So any touch-ups will be done then.)

After research and saving, I went with AP (Authentic Props) for my TK. I paid a little extra, so it will come with Gloves, Leather Holster, and fully trimmed. I have very little artistic ability and don't want to screw anything up. I have already built my Blaster (Hasbro) (replaced LED, front barrel screws with real ones) with the doopy doos pieces and prepping it to be painted. I thought about posting a separate build but the Blaster is already put together. I'm planning on sawing off the back scope cap and placing the target reticle inside the scope, cutting out the 'peephole' and placing a lens (which will be magnifying glass lens I found at Dollar Tree). Paint will be the next step. My 'package' arrives on Monday and I'll be attending a Armor Party next weekend!

No, sorry I'm near Cleveland OH. Local Garrison is the group of other people who are relatively close to each other that have their own website that you can contact and possibly meet up. They also set up events that you can attend in costume once you are officially accepted by the 501st

Don't worry Christian you'll be fine. We were all where you are now. I'm only two steps ahead of you; receiving 'the package' this Monday. What you should do is contact your local garrison and see if anyone can help you with proper fitting and construction. I'm having a 'Armor Party' next weekend.

I'm in the same boat, prepping my Blaster before painting. I plan on cutting the scope end off and placing a lens (magnifying toy lens)on the end instead of the 'peephole'.

Oh man, this is awesome! Congratulations! Mine is on its way as well. The Empire is growing in numbers!

From these pictures, you would want the 2nd one and the last one, then paint white. The painting can be done really well. In the movies, the boots were painted white; if you were to go for 'accuracy'.

Maybe JB Weld? That stuff works good on plastic, rubber, or metal

So in a sense, the Separatists were the first Rebellion from the Republic. This is before the Republic became the Galactic Empire. Now mind you it was the Republic that had the plans and funding to construct the Death Star. After Emperor Palpatine 'took office'; took control.

Stormtrooper costume update: purchased some supplies to work on the Blaster. Silver, gold, and black for painting and weathering (Walmart). Brushes to use to paint the abdomen plate buttons and magnifying glasses to replace the scope peephole and use as scope lens (Dollar tree).

Who says you have no artistic ability?! It's looking great!

This or the hyperfirm is my ultimate goal for the E-11. Looks awesome

Just to wear and get accepted, I went with Trooperbay helmet liner. You can fit it to your size and there's space above your head for airflow

What is inside your helmet? The helmet liner/cushion is awesome and would love to get mine set up like that.

Very true. But remember our Empire was very Autocratic Dictatorship. No thanks to Emperor Palpatine and Grand Moff Tarkin. Very much in the same sense of our own Civil War. The Confederates succeeded from the Union, the US Federal government.

I second Echo 's fans. He also provides fasteners for the TK that I will be purchasing this week

I will share this amongst my Marine Veteran friends. I have a Veteran friend that went through the same ordeal several years ago, but nowhere near as bad.

My understanding is that it depends on the event. I have seen both as well. Now, admittedy I'm not an official member yet. But from what I've seen and read it depends on the event. Some events will call for Blasters holstered or off premises altogether. Otherwise they may require tape at times.

Awesome thanks. This does help. I'm not so much worried about doing a shoddy paint job, but worried about having too much paint on. Because stripping just doesn't sound fun. But the gold on the scope makes sense. What type of sponge or fabric did you use to make the weathered marks?

I'm currently waiting on my TK Package which is being shipped next week. I have already put my Blaster together. I did something similar with the scope lens; using craftsmen lens to replace both lens. I also had the LED replaced and better batteries exchanged; makes a difference! About the painting: I don't think I will weather mine as much. I was going to ask why you painted the scope gold first then black? For the weathered screws it looks amazing. But I haven't painted my Blaster yet. Should I paint my blaster gray or silver before the initial black? Or is that only for weathering purposes? I may stick with gray for the ejection port. If I wasn't going to weather (new-issued blaster), what type of paint and black should I use? Flat or matte or semi gloss. Any suggestions would be helpful

What branch of service are you Dark CMF? I was in Marines from 1998 to 2007

Received my helmet harness, dark green visor, and mesh for the frown from Trooperbay! Now I'm just waiting on AP for my TK package!

OH Garrison member ObiWanJay will be assisting me with my build. I also purchased dark green lens, frown mesh, and helmet harness from Trooperbay.