MoSc0ut

I got the best results tweaking the //Feed from mixer 2. By boosting these values it made the effects volume from the SD card WAV files better match the volume of my voice. I am having a blast tweaking all these settings. You have to take into account the sounds the fans make inside the helmet too!

<face palm> Now that you point me in the right direction it's glaringly obvious!! Thank you!

The new sketch is amazing. What is driving me nuts is that I am trying to figure out how to turn up the sound effects without turning up the volume. I've been playing with the mic gain and the EQ.... I know it's something simple that I'm missing. An output volume for the WAV files??? Any help would be great!

Totally doing this when I get home from work today, thanks! Jim - TK50899

Got my Teensy and sound board programmed yesterday. It seems to work......now if only my microphone and amp would show up so I can be sure! Thanks for the awesome tutorial and resources. This really put an audio system in reach for me plus I love leaning new things and expanding my knowledge. Jim - TK50899

It was time for a fan revision. I installed a push button on/off switch and placed it in a spot I can reach it even with gloves on while wearing the helmet. I moved the fans to the rear and angled them so they blow around the helmet across the lenses. I now stow the battery in the chin. It keeps my helmet from tilting back and is now a little more balanced overall. I've been so busy I haven't had time to put on my armor to get my submission photos for Centurion but I will get it done in the next week or so. Jim - TK50899

I know that several make really good $, not quite sure what they do exactly but when one guy says, "Man I like that TK, I think I'll get one", then a few troops later shows up with a full RS commission because he "Doesn't have the time" to build one (no offense to those that do the same) you know he's got a good paying job. I saved for 6-7 months and sold a whole bunch of stuff online just to scrape together enough to get mine!" To each their own! Everyone in my Garrison and RL that I troop with are the most amazing people!! Jim - TK50899

I know that several make really good $, not quite sure what they do exactly but when one guy says, "Man I like that TK, I think I'll get one", then a few troops later shows up with a full RS commission because he "Doesn't have the time" to build one (no offense to those that do the same) you know he's got a good paying job. I saved for 6-7 months and sold a whole bunch of stuff online just to scrape together enough to get mine!" To each their own! Everyone in my Garrison and RL that I troop with are the most amazing people!! Jim - TK50899

Reminds me of a "push together coupling" too. Or these: Push on retainer rings/caps Jim - TK50899

I thought it looked overpriced. The last several auctions closed around $180. It's a neat sight but for $350 you could buy several replicas and not worry about it getting dropped! Jim - TK50899

Found one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Normark-Singlepoint-Sight-Scope-Red-Dot-Single-Point-Star-Wars-Blaster-Cone/322222957598?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131230161411%26meid%3D974edd98d52849e3832c56ed29d53a17%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D120839959689 $350 :/ Jim M.

Jimmi's armor isn't pulled. It's fiber glassed into a negative form, if I'm not mistaken, so should retain most of the detail. Jim M.

Can't wait! Good luck on the move, ugg...I hate moving. We've had the same home for almost 16 years and I love it! Hopefully all goes smoothly. Jim - TK50899

I understand that it may be tough to obtain a kit in Hungary. These kits are expensive but it's not worth the time and energy that it takes to do that for 1 helmet. If you're wanting just another helmet try pepakura. There are a lot of great unfolds out there and it's much cheaper in the long run. Here's the one I've been working on, well, was working on, until my ABS kit showed up from Walt. It's not perfect but 99.9% of people that look at it wouldn't know the difference, if you're just looking for a display piece or non-501st costuming. Also it will give you an excellent idea of the lines and forms of how this helmet was designed. From there, if you are still motivated to push forward, you could then develop your own "fan sculpt" and pull your own helmets all day long! Instead of hate and discontent, people will appreciate your hard work and dedication to the hobby. If you and your friend are talented enough to pull off a vac table, I'm sure you could make a decent sculpt! Please keep in mind, for you, the cost is not only in money for you. You have also painted a target on yourself. If, for some reason, you still go forward with this plan and are successful, people will be watching and scrutinizing you as a potential recaster. Be careful friend. Recasting is highly frowned upon here and will quickly earn you a bad reputation that you may not deserve. I'd hate to see that happen. There are a ton of resources here and on other sites too! TONS of people will help you get your sculpts right if you post a WIP (work in progress thread) here. You'll also have people lining up to purchase them from you if you get it right and put out a quality product. Best of luck and make good choices! Jim - TK50899

I'll be heading down there, once the scopes arrive, with your measurements and my calipers in hand! You'll be the first one to know. [emoji4] Jim - TK50899

Just waiting on my "donor" scopes to finally arrive then I'll be doing a complete work up from unboxing to completed scope! Hopefully soon. <fingers crossed> Also as luck would have it the hardware store two blocks away sells an assortment of slotted fillister and cheese head screws! I just saw them there two days ago, when I asked them they said they just started stocking them a few weeks ago! Jim - TK50899

Mine's actually a scrap that I picked up in the chain section of Home Depot! It was already cut open but it was perfect being cut a little off center. This allowed me to slide the longer end into the drilled out hole on my Hyperfirm, bend it back into shape then slide it back to center it, covering the cut, and paint it. Jim - TK50899

<DROOL!!> When I first saw the Shoretrooper in little clips and such, I wasn't that impressed. However, seeing it come to life here has made me want one so bad!! This is my favorite of the new armors! Part TB part TK but all new. I think the prop makers for R1 knocked it out of the park this time. I know it may be too early to ask but can you give us a ballpark $ for what you may want for a helmet and armor set so I can start hiding money from my wife!! [emoji14].....I mean start the negotiations with her??!! [emoji16] Jim - TK50899

It's super easy. Just remember with Humbrol paint, for some reason it has some elasticity to it and if you pull the tape up before it dries completely it can be all stringy. As those little strings let loose from the tape they muck up the paint job too! Jim M.

If you have the Testors paint thinner it is also safe for plastics as it is made by a company that specializes in plastic models. Jim - TK50899

Use mineral spirits, it is safe to use on plastics. I only used tape when making my tube stripes. Everything else was free handed, that's why a good liner brush is key. [emoji846] Jim - TK50899

Here's how I did my frown. I used a liner brush. Gets a nice point on the ends that way. Hope this helps get you started. Jim M.

Funny thing is now that I have it done she's been going to about half of the troops with me and helping out with spotting. She then commented, "We should have done this sooner, this is so fun! I thought that all the 'Star Wars people' we're just going to be a bunch of nerds, but they are just normal people who like Star Wars!" [emoji15] Well she was only a little wrong, we are "geeks"!! She does get sick of hearing about Star Wars ALL the time so I try to keep my Star Wars comments and stuff here and out of sight in my Garage/Workshop, but man if I don't want to build an R1 Shoretrooper so bad I can taste it!!!! Jim - TK50899

Thanks for the feedback Tony! They are painted white on the outside. I added the eyelets so I don't rip out the ABS over time. I understand the reason for screen accuracy but those suits got worn a whole lot less than mine will, heck, I've probably worn mine more in the two months I've had it finished! [emoji6] I am debating the center strap, that's why there are two tabs with a gap in the middle. As I haven't had any issues with it popping open in the center, the jury is still out for me on that. I have also been kicking around the idea of a little ABS "skim coat" over the outside of the eyelet to disguise it a little bit it may just flake off with trooping around. I think I'll use some scrap ABS and do a test of that. I'm trying to blend a little of practicality in with screen accuracy. As long as it won't affect my Centurion application I'm going to make some minor adjustments for comfort and reliability. If I'm being totally honest, it took 16 years to finally talk my wife into letting me build a suit and I want it to last as long as possible!! [emoji16] Cheers! Jim - TK50899

Don't know if this would work for you but I came up with this hybrid hook system. I did just two holes and hooks top and bottom then added a couple of approx. 2" tabs in the middle. The tabs go on the same side as the cover strip and kind of sandwich the other side and then the hooks hold it all together. Also the middle hook is the trickiest to get attached and this eliminates that issue. In your case it would probably help straighten out that seam too. I would instead add a whole strip between the two hooks so you don't get any warping. This photo is from my EIB application and this is all the worse they look after moving around bit and I've been trooping this about every weekend since early June. Just an idea that I thought might help. Jim - TK50899