hon143

Isn't sizing the main issue when deciding between AM or MTK? Because, I think AM is for bigger troopers. MTK is for the typical original sized troopers who were under 6' tall and had about 32" waists. Also, MTK's prices is very comparable to ATA which is very "affordable". Has MTK raised the prices on the kits?

I find it more surprising and shocking that you won't even try to attempt it yourself. I can TOTALLY understand someone's fear to cut and build an entire TK unassembled/untrimmed kit. But in your case, it's only strapping it all together. Honestly, I work in health care with absolutely ZERO experience with hands-on manual labor and power tools. Yet, even I was able to do this myself! Believe me, I'm not doggin' on you.....I'm just trying to help you and give you the courage to try it yourself. Even if someone builds the straps and fits you, you're going to have to learn how to do it somewhat yourself because they can't fit you every time something gets loose and you need adjustment. From the way it looks, you're looking for something that you can buy "off the rack" and be wearable immediately. Sorry, but there's no way that's possible with most costumes....especially a storm trooper kit with so many parts. Even with a suit off the rack, you'll likely have to have it altered.

The only way to ruin the armor is by cutting too much (is repairable though with some spare ABS) or melting it if you're trying to hear it up to remold the shape. I had zero experience too. With all the help here, the build wasnt hard at all. Just takes a lot of time and patience.

The only way to ruin the armor is by cutting too much (is repairable though with some spare ABS) or melting it if you're trying to hear it up to remold the shape. I had zero experience too. With all the help here, the build wasnt hard at all. Just takes a lot of time and patience.

I recommend that you give it a try. But, it's really up to you. Honestly, it's not hard at all. This may be your only option if there isn't anyone near you who can build the strap set-up for you. You can probably buy pre-made snap plates from someone here. Buy E-6000 glue from Home Depot or Michael's. Use the diagram here to know where to glue them on the armor. Allow it to dry 24 hrs. Buy some nylon straps from a fabric store and make the straps for the snap plates. You'll just have to buy snaps and snaps installation tool at the fabric store.

Are you sure you can't do it yourself? Believe me, strapping wasn't all that hard...rather easy actually. I also had zero experience building my TK. I just used all the info here and did it all myself. I made a bunch of snap plates, used the guide here to know where to glue them, and just played around with the strap construction to fit my body. I initially thought it would be difficult...it wasn't at all!

I used a heat gun and just slowly bent in the front edge on both halves before i glued them together. I had anticipated that it would be an issue once I glued the cover strip on. I think you can still use a heat gun after the pieces have been glued together. Just warm up the entire front with the heat gun for about 20 seconds and just push the halves closer. Repeat until you get it to where you want it.

Check the commissary every so often. You'll often find other members here trying to unload some of their gear. You'll often find pretty good deals there.

Regarding the bucket electronics, I HIGHLY recommend that you guys wait until you actually get the bucket to see how much extra room you have inside the bucket while wearing it. Before I got my bucket, I bought helmet padding and the fans. Once I got the bucket and assembled it, I realized that there wasn't all that much room inside. Out of the seven pieces of helmet padding I purchased in a set, I could only use 2! I ended up having to use spare thin foam pad from my wife's new boots packaging for the crown of the bucket. Because, the crown piece from the helmet padding set I purchased was too thick. With it inside the bucket, I could barely see out of the bucket. Then, I added the fans. And, there was just enough room. I'm glad I didn't order the comm, speakers, and mic! No way it's fitting inside! As I've said above, getting the boots and blaster now isn't a bad idea. All else, definitely wait to see what you can actually use and need.

Shouldn't you guys wait until the Anovos kit actually arrives for you to see what you need? Ordinarily with any other vendor, it's a GREAT idea to start collecting everything you need while you're waiting for it to ship out. However, in this case, the TK itself is in question. But, it's up to you guys. Definitely, will need a blaster and boots.

Yeah....the AP bucket is very nice. No bumpy lid, right? The ATA bucket is a little bumpy. I forgot about that.

By the way, the MTK and ATA build was pretty easy. Time-consuming but not all that hard. I had no prior experience with anything close to this. But, for me, it wasnt very difficult.....except for the bucket ears though (probably the hardest part of the entire build according to most ppl here). As far as sturdiness, finish, and quality, I think all three (ATA, AP, and MTK) are very similar since they're the same gauge and material. I believe sizes are somewhat the same too since they originate from similar casts.

MTK is almost the same as ATA, which is for troopers under 6'. I have an ATA bucket with the MTK armor. Quality is good for both armor kits from what I hear. MTK is just a tad more expensive but ATA has a VERY long wait list. From pictures, AP looks pretty good too. AP is more expensive than both ATA and MTK though. Note, the MTK bucket is slightly bigger than the ATA bucket which many consider on the small side. For me, because I'm only about 5' 8", the ATA bucket with MTK armor works well because the size of the bucket corresponds with my body size better with all the gear on.

If time is of the essence for you, then getting a TK from one of the approved vendors here would be necessary since the Anovos won't be available until the end of the year or maybe even early next year. If you don't mind waiting, then the Anovos is a great deal. But, as you already know, no one knows what the Anovos will look like. Some in the Anovos thread have mentioned the debacle of the Rubios TK release years ago. Members here were excited about the pending Rubios TK too. Once it was released, it was a disappointment for everyone. Have you considered MTK armor? It's about the price of the ATA TK but is available now. I know a lot of ppl are excited about the Anovos deal since it includes basically everything except for the boots and blaster. However, I have doubts about the quality of the accessory pieces because, in the end, they're in the business to make money. Hence, even with the complete Anovos kit, don't be surprised if you will have to get better gear/accessories to go with the armor kit.

Yeah...why would anyone pay that price when they can get approved tk buckets/armor for about the same price from vendors here?

Unless you have unusually large forearms and thighs, it shouldn't be hard to put on and remove the armor pieces even if they are glued on both sides. The only piece that this is necessary is for the calf/shin pieces. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it may also be an approval issue if you glue one side on the forearms and thigh pieces too.

I had the same issue. I just shortened the elastic straps by folding the elastic strip in half and using my sewing machine to create a seam. That way, I don't waste a strip of elastic and the snaps. Also, if I messed up, I can always remove the seam and put in a new one. But OP's idea sounds good too.

You can buy the armor, bucket, or even random parts seperately from vendors here. But, just keep note that the color may not match.

Before I did my TK, I was very nervous about building it myself. I had absolutely zero experience with anything close to this. I felt the same way as you too.....that is, I was trying to find a way to get a pre-assembled quality bucket/TK with as little building as possible. However, once I got started, I found it wasn't difficult at all. With all the tutorials here, I was able to study step by step what to do. Plus, you can post up questions on FISD and there are plenty of friendly ppl here who are happy to answer your questions. So, in the end, it was time-consuming but not hard to do yourself. And, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing you did it all yourself!

I don't think it's cheapening the TK because the $350 price is a promotional pre-sale price. After the promo, the price of the untrimmed kit will be $700, which is in line with ATA and MTk kits.

No way...cheapest bucket is by Rubies! Looks hella nice too!

I mentioned this in another thread about a month ago regarding eyeglasses and the TK bucket. But, if you have an old pair of glasses with a fairly current Rx in it, you can remove the temples off the eyeglasses and just attached to the inside of the bucket with velcro right in front of the lenses. Obviously, tape up any sharp parts on the eyeglasses that may be exposed when you took off the temples. I think you can probably attach it where the bridge of the eyeglass frames are.....between the two lenses in the middle. Or, just remove the lenses from the glasses. Keep note of the orientation of the lenses since the orientation of the lenses will affect the Rx if you have astigmatism. Then, just tape the lenses inside the bucket right behind the green lenses.

Disneyland in S. CA has them. I was there a few weeks ago and noticed the new blasters. They were inside the store next to Star Tours and in the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. Ppl here can try calling them to see if they'll ship them out for ppl.

For those who have already ordered, was tax added on too at checkout?

If it's true that ANOVOS is charging ppl's credit cards at time of the pre-order and not when it ships out, it would appear that they're doing this "special" in order to maybe get working capital/liquid assets to start this venture. And, to perhaps get a gauge on demand. Seems like a great deal. But, it would worry me a bit since they can technically file bankruptcy and keep everyone's money! Since it would be months (perhaps next year even) later, ppl couldn't even file a grievance with the credit card company for a charge back since they only allow 3-6 months.