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sharkbait

Imperial Attaché[TK]
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Everything posted by sharkbait

  1. Your cracking is very nice. I like that you didn't go crazy overboard with the exposed bits- I like more left to the imagination, personally. And your weathering is superb!
  2. As a counterpoint, depending on how tight and how deep your shoulder bell snap connections are, you might need/want elastic straps. Just get heavy-duty elastic. My connections are tight and fairly deep in the shoulder bell, so I went heavy-duty elastic, and am almost three full years out with no issues. I assume someday I will replace the connections.
  3. I can give you recommendations on various parts- can't go wrong with PhiloProps for dosimeters, for example. (He's also a 501st Member of Italica Garrison). Also if you're not a "standard" size, a custom flight suit is an option. I got mine from Claudio (IOC boards) and love it. Also, don't forget the "gimme" costumes- a TI Reserve is the basis of a TIE Pilot, and take out the dosimeters and it's a ROTJ Crewman (IOC). You get three for the price of just over one. And then your hat and dosimeters can be applied to various Officers. The jack boots cover around 50 different costumes between the Legions (I exaggerate on purpose but they cover a whole lot of different costumes).
  4. You're looking great! I'm always amazed at how it all comes together so fast at the end. Once you get the inner and outer strips on, then it's just strapping, and all of a sudden you have a full torso and it feels real. Keep on chugging away- you're nearly there!
  5. I think you'd be okay with ATA, I don't know much personally, but I've heard good things. I do know for sure RT Mod and AM are good for taller and bigger troopers, so they are also options. Generally if you're within a few inches either way (more important when taller, rather than shorter, because you can shorten pieces, but lengthening is another story) of the original guys, then you're generally good.
  6. Pretty sure I got mine at OSH, but since they're officially dead (boo), I'd say Home Depot or Lowes. It'd be in the area with paint/paint thinner/paint stripper, etc. I think, if not, then the glue section.
  7. Welcome and good luck! Phasma is terrifying... I'm doing one myself! I'm also doing a KB, but I have a Thorrson helmet. Best advise: one step at a time. Easier said than done, I fall into this trap all the time- but just keep taking it one step at a time, and before you know it, you've made huge progress! Can't wait to see progress pics!
  8. That's why my first question for every self-proclaimed "biggest Star Wars Fan EVAR" is "Alright, so then which version of the Stormtrooper am I?" Jokingly- I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I like to have fun with the super-nerds. I laugh it off when they get it wrong, and usually there's jokes about having a Silver Nerd Card v. a Platinum one. I've had only one guy get it right thus far. I then promptly told him he needed to join the ranks because clearly he was just as nerdy as we all are. For EIB and Centurion, I don't mind the strict requirements, because they are for us, they are not required in any way, and it's really just a matter of personal choice. Sure, we get bragging rights, but I've never run into anyone who considered themselves above anyone who wasn't EIB/Centurion. I do see your point in that high accuracy is good for the higher ranks, but we also don't want to raise the bar so high that it excludes people for factors they can't control (ie you have to be a certain height, or else nothing will fit right, regardless of what you do). So I agree generally with your point and do thank you for making it, because it is something to consider when updating CRLs.
  9. I definitely agree with this- I don't see a need to mod the basic approval, as the basic look is much the same, but Centurion for sure, since that's the point, and I could see either way for EIB, no real personal preference there.
  10. Great job! Basic should be a given! I'd pull the thighs up just slightly, so there's a little less gap between the cod and the top of the thighs- this will also help with the back of your knee. I also spy some EIB and Centurion details! I'm sure there's some tiny little thing to mod there, but you're definitely close!
  11. eBay in itself is always a giant, flaming, red flag. So there's that. But, upon review, I see very soft details, I can't quite tell the thickness but it doesn't look great, I'm inclined to say it at least hints at recast because of those. I'm not a fan of styrene, I would not recommend it. It's way too cheap, another huge red flag. And if @starsaber25 says its Makerofthings, then I'm going to go with him). So, in short- no. There are so many better options available. Check out the Vetted Sellers list, which will help you determine what kit would work best for you. Good luck on your continued journey to the white armor ranks!
  12. There's only a couple makers of Rogue One Death Troopers at the moment- I'd head over to the Spec Ops Detachment, which is what they're under: https://specops501st.com/ They'll know best and be able to help you out. Now, if you mean the zombie Stormtroopers, from the book Death Troopers (which came first, incidentally), then you're in the right place: check out the vetted vendors list for a TK kit, and then you'll assemble mostly normally, but add weathering, broken bits, gore, etc. Check out the build thread section for both normal and zombie troopers. Just, whatever you do, STAY AWAY FROM EBAY, and other commercially available sources. For a full list of reasons, see the vetted maker list and this thread.
  13. BBB Day is an amazing day! A holiday, even! I'd say you're doing pretty good- that's an impressive amount of soft parts you've already accumulated, which will make building a bit easier- you get to measure and fit over your actual undersuit, etc. Start a build thread, too! Great way for feedback, encouragement, questions and answers... and honestly we all like seeing others build. Plus, it helps future TKs down the road, just like previous build threads will help you through your build. It's a great cycle.
  14. Bottom line: No eBay, no Amazon, no Etsy for armor. Many Reasoner include: bad quality, not 501st quality, overpriced, far too cheap yet still a rip off, recasters, Rubies, Rubies in disguise. I love all those places, but not for armor. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/11538-the-various-types-of-armor-and-where-to-find-them/ And then feel free to ask about any of those listed there, too- like what would best fit your body type if you're not sure!
  15. Do you mean paint for the armor itself (it is polished white plastic, as said above), or paint for the ab buttons, or helmet (also painted, but sometimes needs to be re-done). If you have scuffs or markings on your armor, I'd recommend Plexus, Can Do, or Novus polish to buff them out- found at auto supply stores, motorcycle shops, Amazon, and online.
  16. This is freaking great... I love that Wampa rug! I've always wanted one. Happy Holidays!
  17. I'm incredibly envious! My Phasma is... stalled, shall we say? Welcome to the ranks! I look forward to seeing a troop log of all your shiny (and swampy) adventures!
  18. The only part I need assistance with is my shoulder bell/bridge connection snaps. I can kinda get one side, but then because I have the full arm on, the other one is really tough. It's just easier to have a handler or someone who hasn't yet put their gloves on help out. I put mine together with the intention of being able to put most of it on myself, not because I don't want help but because I wanted to reserve the available help for those who had really tough costumes. And I just like to be as self-sufficient as I reasonably can. I'll be a handler-hog when I do my Phasma. Thighs go on first, but not snapped to the garter, boots, shins, thigh snaps, clamshell into the entire torso, then my arms are snap-connected into one piece each, and help with the shoulder bell to shoulder strap. Once that torso is on I don't bend well. It's hilarious to see TKs try and bend over to pick something up. I have a checklist in the appropriate order on the inside of my bin. Very helpful when I've been doing other costumes and then come back to the TK.
  19. It's not impossible- it's just hard, and depends entirely on you and your kit. I can sit, for example, in my AM. Carefully, on higher surfaces (my 50 gal Stanley bin, or the virtually identical 50 gal Husky is the perfect height), and not when the suit is fitting a little snug. As a general rule I tell people don't attempt to sit unless you have a flexible butt plate- because if the butt plate is rigid, it's more likely than not gonna crack, and no one wants a cracked butt plate. Also, the thickness of our suit- too thin it might crack, too thick it will just be uncomfortable, and also might not have the flex needed. Not that sitting in armor is particularly comfortable to begin with (but it does beat standing for hours). There's also the matter of how tight your snap connections are, how much stress is going to be put on them (just popping loose isn't a huge deal, but breaking is another). Finally, how much pinch do you get when attempting to lower yourself, and is it worth it?
  20. I second this- my original choice was RT, but I ended up with AM, and I have no regrets. I've trooped it pretty hard for going on three years and it's held up very well- good thickness, good quality. The shins are tricky to assemble but otherwise no known defects.
  21. Yes, it s should fit you. You might trim a bit more width off, but it will definitely suit your height. I wouldn't recommend RS Props for you- you're just too tall for it. They may say it would fit, but I've seen it first hand on several troopers and I don't recommend it for anyone over 6'1'', maybe 6' 2''. Also in my experience it's really made for slender/smaller people, and medium/average build might work, but it depends on "medium" v. "medium/large". I also do not personally recommend Anovos (we've taken to calling it aNOvos). Litany of reasons, but honestly I don't think it's work with your height, either, regardless. It's also made for smaller/slimmer people. AM, RT Mod are top, AM is usually easier to get a hold of so that's a plus. I hear good things about AP, I don't know much about TM personally or sizing but I also hear good things. Anyone know how ATA runs? I know of them and they're vetted (at least they were last time I checked), but I've never seen on in person. Since you're new (welcome!), be sure to check out the Getting Started areas- tons of great info there to get you started.
  22. A trick I picked up (I believe from Ingrid/LadyinWhite, but it's been a while, so I'm not positive) for the thighs: women's thighs are generally larger on the top and taper smaller towards the bottom/knee. Men's thighs are generally straight. To compensate, instead of trimming a straight line on your thighs to circumference, trim them at a slight "V" shape. Not exaggerated, just a little bit to taper the bottom of the thigh pieces slightly smaller than the tops. You'll take off a little bit more material at the bottom of the thigh than the top to create the effect. Once it's fully assembled and the cover strips are on, you can't tell the difference from the front or back. You can only see if when you look down through the thighs from the top, or the bottom, and then you can see that one end is smaller than the other. It helps especially when looking at the top of the shins, which on a woman are likely smaller- the proportions don't look "off." Obviously take your measurements and make sure you personally are this shape before you do the trimming- everyone is totally different, as we all know! That and I'd recommend wearing a sports bra because it flattens you out a bit, so the chest plate won't pop out awkwardly (not just for the larger busted TKs out there, though the larger the more difference it will make- the originals were made over a man's pretty much flat chest). Totally unflattering when wearing a t-shirt or the undersuit, but great for under a TK chest plate. The moisture-wicking ones are also a plus, especially in the summer.
  23. I have AM armor, and I love it. I'm only 5' 11'' but it should fit you. I've always heard RT is a bit slow on the responding, but pretty much always has. He does also have pretty substantial wait times and it can be tough to get in on a run list. I was on his list originally, but things fell through, and then got lucky and snagged an AM kit on short notice. I'd still love to do a RT Mod someday, but honestly my two personal favorites would be RT and AM, especially for taller and/or larger troopers.
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