JoblessPunk

Thank you!

Hey All, Sorry I haven’t posed much on my build, been busy, busy, busy. That said said, this is a HUGE progress update. PAINTING HELMET: I have to say, this was quite difficult. I applaud everyone that has painted their helmet, and even more so the “Founding Fathers†who did this without all the whitearmor.net information and painting templates created by TrooperBay! Enough talk, here’s some photos: FINAL* PAINTED HELMENT: *I still need to paint the black ranking stripe on the ears. ARMOR BUILDING: Each day I’ve been glueing one piece, day by day. Last night I glued the last part together! Yeah, I will probably go back and re glue some of these to make them fit better, and probably trim down the cover strips on some areas… but for now my main focus is to get it built then tweak later Here’s some photos of my progress: *Still need to cut the notches out of the kidney plate. This is for the inside of my helmet, it will cover the edges of the grill mesh. Painted to match. Using the rivet snap option to strap my armor together. This was just a test to figure out how it all works. Snap plates. More snap plates. And this is where I’m at now! Lastly, here’s a little candid shot my girlfriend took of me test fitting the parts I’ve glued. Note: In this photo I didn’t glue the sniper plate yet. And thats where I stand! I’m hoping to complete the hemet build really soon, and at the same time glue all the snap plates on and finish the strapping. Slowly but surely, its getting there, and I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel… or is it all the E6000 glue I’ve been sniffing?

Thanks for this link! I just contacted him seeing if I could just buy the screws from him, since I don't need the whole kit Thank you for the heads up! I plan on cutting down the screws once I get everything in place, and I might even put a rubber plug on the end just in case.

Thanks! I went to Home Depot today and I couldn't find flat head screws like the ones I have :/ I have an Orchard Supply Hardware near me too, so I'll have to check that place out next.

Hey All, I found some more time this week to work on my Stormtrooper armor! I believe all the cover strips are done! I also painted the inside of my helmet black with PlastiDip. My hope is this week I can knock the helmet out and glue each part day-by-day (I only have enough clamps/magnets to do one part at a time). Please have a look and let me know if anything looks out of place. I still have to do some minor trimming on all the parts, but I think I mostly got it all there. P.S. Does anyone have and/or sell longer helmet screws? The ones I got fit, but I plan on using the screws to keep the lenses in place and a chin strap… so I need them a bit longer to hold it all. Anyone know where I can find some?

Thanks!

Hey All Sorry its been a while, I've been quite busy. Today I found some time to work on some cover strips for the my left thigh and my left for forearm. I haven't glued anything yet, I think I'm going to make all the cover strips and final trims to the armor before applying the glue. More to come next time I find some time!

Thank you for pointing our the painting templates on Trooperbay! I was thinking of complicated ways to tape up the tube stripes, and then boom, its all ready done for me

I can submit an application with the 501st without a completed suit? And I've registered with the GGG, but I think ( I could be wrong ), I have only access to the general part of the GGG forum. Once I have my suit completed and submitted, then I can request membership and full access to the GGG forums?

Thank you for this information, very, very helpful! haha yep, that blue tape doesn't hold the suit together very long Thank you for this! I've been reviewing your submitted suit and taking notes And yep, this Saturday the 7th, my girlfriend and I should be there. Please keep me in the loop if the time or place changes, I don't have access to that part of the GGG forums yet.

Thank you for this information! Look out for a PM from me. Been super busy, but hopefully I'll have some extra time these next few weekends. Thanks for checking in though, a little kick in the butt to continue working is always good

Hey All, Sorry for so long without an update, life has been busy I haven’t made much progress, still here’s some photos: I haven't had time to actually build anything yet, but I test fit the armor to make sure I didn't need any shims. From the looks of it, I think the armor fits pretty well? considering its just all head together by blue tape Front: Left: Right: Back: * I know, I need to trim the kidney plate off the posterior armor. Taking Polar and ukswrath advice I went out this weekend and bought a card table and some wood: I do have some some questions: 1.) Reading the Centurion level on the 501st.com, is it ok to velcro the back side of the Lower Leg Armor and the Forearms? I'm not sure I could fit my feet into the lower leg armor if I seal both sides. 2.) For Centurion level, I only see that the Tears/traps need to be hand painted, would it be ok to use stickers for the blue tube stripes? 3.) I need to trim the kidney plate off the posterior armor, right? 4.) Chin Paint Template? Its kind of hard to see where I really need to paint, I was wondering if there was a stencil to print out and follow? Thanks again everyone for the help so far! Hopefully I'll find some more time to make some actual progress!

Great idea, thank you, I'll pick up a sheet of wood from Home Depot. Thank you for this info. I don't think I have access to the whole GGG forum at this time. Do I have to contact someone to gain access to the whole GGG forum?

So I think the first parts I will be working on are the Calf or Forearm. But first I'll need to buy a table, and clear out a space in my apartment. Side note: This weekend is the Supernatural SF Convention, so I wont be starting this until next week. This should give me plenty of time to get all I need to start building If anyone has helpful links/videos/photos/guidance on assembling these parts it would be greatly appreciated. I've also gathered some information myself, but a helping hand is always welcome. Thank you again everyone!

Then theres hope! I'll try to designate a small work space in my apartment. Not a problem, but thank you for the offer lol, I have no kids, or pets, but my girlfriend that lives with me. Hopefully I can convince her to let me make a huge mess in one area of our apartment for a bit nice! I think I'm going to buy a small card table and work there. I think I know of an area in my apartment that I can occupy. 7th of February? I think that works in my schedule. I have a car and can drive (and pick you up if needed). Feel free to PM me more info

Just to put this out in the air: I'm in a bit of a pickle about building this armor. Currently I live in Burlingame in a small studio apartment with no work space or garage. This said, my Dad lives up in Rohnert Park and has a plethora of room and tools to build this armor. I would really prefer not to have to drive up to my Dad's house every time I want to work on a part, but I am willing to do so if needed. Although, I'm not sure if this is too forward, But if anyone near me or in the GGG has a workshop (garage) and is willing to help me out over the weekends it would be greatly appreciated. I can buy the tools, materials, pizza, beer and anything else needed to build some Stormtrooper Armor Thank you!

haha Iove that popcorn eating emoji, and I'll post pics as often as I can. Thank you so much for this info, every bit of information helps! Thank you! hahaha, I plan on it, but I haven't had time yet.

Thank you I have registered with the GGG forum, but I think I have to register for the GGG membership? but do I need a costume first? ... that part I'm a bit confused about. Yep! and from the looks of your signature, good luck on your build too! Thank you

Haha, tonight I'm going to sort through the whole box and see the white plastic in all its glory. And yep GGG! I'm going to post some info on the GGG threads to see if any there are any upcoming gatherings I'll post the progress here as often as I can

Look what came in the mail this weekend! Running List of Purchases: AP ArmorGrill Mesh Brow rubber seal Mic Tips Neckseal E11 Metal D-Ring TD Belt Clips HyperFirm E11 Blaster White Rubber Hand Guards and Gloves Blaster Holster BCG Academy Two Piece Black Suit TK Boots Inner Drop Boxes Dark Green Lens Material Paints: Humbrol Gloss Black Paint #21 Humbrol Admiral Gray Paint #5 Humbrol French Blue Paint #14 Plasti Dip Black (Paint for Inside Helmet) Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint (Tone Down Gold Blaster Scope) Helmet Masking Templates S Track MICH Helmet Pads Centurion Level Rivet Set Strapping / Snaps / Webbing: Dritz Heavy Duty Snaps Tandy Leather Line 24 Snaps Antique Nickel Dritz 9507B Non-Roll Woven Elastic, Black, 1-Inch Country Brook Design 2 Inch White Heavy Polypro Webbing White Canvas Belt Helmet Strap Trooping Case Foam for Inside Trooping Case Mannequin Helmet Bag Polish: NOVUS 7100 Plastic Polish Kit Meguiar's Hot Shine Tire Foam (Deoxidizing Gloves) I'm super excited and think I'm the right track, but I have no idea where to start! My goal is to have armor that is 501st, FISD Centurion, and Golden Gate Garrison approved. I'm also really interested in having my armor "troop ready", because I would love to go trooping with some local Stormtroopers! Hopefully sometime soon, I can meet up with a few people in my local garrison (Golden Gate Garrison) and get some help. I've heard of these armor parties that happen periodically, so if anyone has any news or has a weekend to help me out that would be greatly appreciated thank you!

I too am looking for a ugly Star Wars sweater! I really want a knitted one, not one that is just printed on. If I find something I'll post it here

Personally, I would buy a Medium and a Large. The waist elastic is elastic-e, but I was unable to put on the size Small because the waist didn't fit past my knees. Plus, for me it was free* to ship back the ones that didn't fit me. *I was a bit confused about shipping the items back so I talked to them via the Live Chat. Per the shipping documentation, there are many factors that come into play so it could or could not cost money to return the items.

I was totally unsure about that too, so I ordered a small and a medium. The small was real small, probably a 28 size pant, and the medium fit me and I wear a size 32. As for the other sizes I have no idea. Oh nice! What Under Armour shirt did you buy? The Under Armour shirt I bought ( Men's UA ColdGear® Evo Compression Mock ) seemed quite a bit grayer than the Academy BCG Pants ( BCG™ Men's Compression Tight ).

Glad it helped! All the stores accept returns, so when its all said and done I'm only out $13 for return shipping charges

All the packages have arrived! First off, this is my own personal opinion, and by no means the end all be all. Second, I will be rating these in 3 categories: Color Fabric Fit PANTS BCG™ Men's Compression Tight I only ordered BCG Academy Pants. After doing research on the FISD, these seemed to be the most recommended pants after Eastbay changed the stitching to white. Color: Black, true black. What I mean by that is that the base color seemed to be a Blue tint, making the Black seem darker. Fabric: Thin fabric, but not too thin to feel cheap or rip easily. The fabric also has a bit of a shimmer, which I think is nice. Fit: Fit well, I wear a size 32 pant, this equaled to a Size Medium. SHIRTS I ordered 3 diffrent shirts: BCG Academy Eastbay Under Armour BCG Academy BCG™ Men's Compression Long Sleeve Crew Neck Shirt Color: The color matched the BCG Academy pants almost exactly. If I wasn’t told that they don’t match I wouldn’t even noticed. Fabric: Same Fabric as the pants, and same shimmer as the BCG Academy pants. Fit: Size Small fit me. Eastbay fit better, the Academy sleeves seemed a bit looser than they needed to be, but nothing bad at all… I also have really skinny arms. Eastbay EASTBAY EVAPOR LONG SLEEVE COMPRESSION CREW Color: The color is quite close to the BCG Academy, but I felt the Academy Shirt matched the pants better. Fabric: The Fabric was about the same thickness and quality as BCG Academy Pants. The only difference is that the shimmer was quite different than the BCG Academy Pants. Fit: I bought a Small Shirt. Eastbay was the best fitting shirt of the 3. Under Armour Men's UA ColdGear® Evo Compression Mock Color: The color seemed to be quite off from the BCG Academy Pants. The base color seemed to be more Gray than Blue. Fabric: The was the thickest shirt of the 3. The shirt seemed to have a shimmer layer on the outside, a soft blanket like layer on the inside. Fit: I bought a Small Shirt. This shirt seemed tighter than the rest. VERDICT For me, it all came down to the fabric in the end. The fabric used in the Eastbay and Under Armour had a different shimmer than the BCG Academy pants. Its really hard to get in a photo, but here’s the best I could do to show you the shimmer of the fabric: The shimmer was the most noticeable difference and in my opinion and it had to match. As for color, The BCG Academy Shirt was so close to the BCG Academy Pants that I wouldn’t notice if no one told me. I would also like to mention, when it comes to color, Eastbay was close enough that you could have BCG Academy Pants with an Eastbay shirt with no one noticing. Here is a photo of what I chose in the end: Cost breakdown: BCG Academy Shirt - $16.99 BCG Academy Pants - $16.99 * You can find the Neckseal I have here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/13511-for-sale-anh-hero-neckseal/ Hopefully this helps other Stormtroopers out there!