justjoseph63

I have Tony's audio system, and I LOVE it! I built it into my pack, but had to make a few modifications. If you need any advice on how I did this, just PM me.

Like Caleb mentioned, most armorers only sell complete sets. This is the best way to go, as the color/shade of ABS can vary from maker to maker. If you should need them, some makers produce replacement parts quite readily, but there are some who do not.

Webbing all the way. The only thing you have to be careful of is if you are using the double (side by side) snap method. In areas where the curve of the ABS is sharper, (like the top of the forearms and bottom of the biceps) the angle can push the snaps connected to it toward each other if they are too close together. Also, strangely enough, I have used my "el cheapo" soldering iron to make literally hundreds of holes in nylon, and it actually burns off the residue. I can wipe the tip with a paper towel and it comes up perfect! Plus, I like the fact that burning holes in the nylon seals the edges of the hole itself, and prevents fraying. The smell is just AWFUL, though.

I would steer clear of that for a few reasons, Josh. First, the price! You can get a GREAT one for $12.95 + shipping here, ---------- which is the one I used, thanks to my buddy Charles (Templar726). Plus, the one in your link has a drain tube in the top center, which could cause a problem in your build. When you go to the site, type oil changing pan in the search bar, and it will ask you for a year and model below that. Just pick any model, and it will bring you right to it. The only downside to ordering it from them is that you will receive a catalog once a month. Well worth it, though.

Welcome, Vard! Some great advice, especially from David. Research, measuring and taking your time are VERY important! It also helps to be prepared, and have all the tools and supplies you will need ahead of time. I have a thread here that can help with that: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/31404-supply-list-for-your-tk-build/. I realize that (as all of us did) that you want to get trooping as soon as you can, but consider your build as a marathon, not a sprint. Rushing will only cause you grief, trust me. After researching some of the MANY build threads here, I suggest starting your own. This makes it easier to ask questions, keep everyone up to date, and show off your progress. And don't forget lots of photos. We LOVE photos! Also, don't forget to take a close look at the "Advanced Tactics" section, where you can study the EIB and Centurion submission photos. These will show you how far you can take your armor toward "screen accuracy". It's much easier to aim for these levels during your build than after. Most of all, have FUN! Another thing you can do is get in touch with your local Garrison or Squad. They can provide lots of information, and many have "armor parties", which are designed to help new recruits assemble their kits.

Way to go, Randy!!! Nice job on "dirtying up" that armor. Squeaky clean HWTs just don't look right, LOL. You have some easy fixes there, sir, so get those done and I hope to see your Centurion submission soon!

It's my pleasure, Aaron! BUT.... I only did it so that I can get a free beer out of each of you when I visit your city or country, LOL!

ANOTHER Update! I spoke with PayPal a few weeks ago, and was told that the way to release the funds earlier than 21 days was to mark them as "Processed", and use USPS as the "carrier". I called again this morning, and was told I was given wrong information. NOW, I have to go back through each and every one and mark it as "Shipped". This will take some time, and you will be notified by PayPal when this happens. My apologies for this, folks. I will keep everyone apprised of the situation, I promise, so please bear with me. Thanks...

Coming soon! 95% finished, but the shirt run is taking up most of my time.

FISD RACING SHIRT RUN 2016 UPDATE My fellow Troopers, Here are a few updates for those of you who have ordered or are thinking about ordering the FISD racing shirts on this run. 1. Please know that when you order a shirt, I need all of the information requested in the thread, i.e. your name, TK ID #, address, shirt size, forum name, number of shirts you would like, what name (if any) you would like on the shirt in addition to your TK#, and your phone number, (required on orders outside the U.S.). 2. Many of you have not provided all the necessary information, which results in me having to contact you individually to find this out. This takes a lot of time, and is slowing down the process. 3. Please be aware that most of the time (for some strange reason) PayPal does not include any information on orders placed outside the U.S., so PLEASE PM me all of your information after you send payment. Please. Please. 4. For orders of more than 3 shirts placed outside the U.S., please PM me to find out what the shipping cost will be, but please allow a few days for me to get in touch with the manufacturer to find this out. 5. If you do not specify what name you would like on your shirt, it will be left blank, and include only your TK #. 6. Here is the big one, folks....PayPal is holding all funds received for 7 days after payment since this is a new account (set up just for this shirt run). I was going to cut the run short, (May 25th) in order to make sure that the entire order could be processed by June 2nd. BUT, that would not be fair for those waiting for 501st approval.... (Remember that, Troopers)? Therefore, the run will continue as planned, but unfortunately it will add an additional week of wait-time while I wait for the funds to become available to send to the manufacturer. For this I apologize, but I appreciate your patience. 7. If you have a large order from a Garrison not in the U.S., please PM me with all of the information requested in the thread for each shirt ordered. Here is an example: GERMAN GARRISON ORDER SHIP TO: Klaus Schmidt, Herderstrasse 67, Bad Rappenau, Germany, 74906, 491-867-111477 1. Klaus Schmidt- TK 11111- Medium- 1 shirt, "Klaus" 2. Marc Bray- TK 2222, XL, 1 shirt, "Marc" 3. etc 4. etc (Names were changed to protect the innocent) Thank you for bearing with me, Troopers. My goal is to make everyone happy, and get your shirts out in an expedited manner, but I need your help. Joseph

Welcome to the FISD, Simon! Randy gave some great advice there... You should definitely take a few minutes to check out the "Getting Started" section, http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/38-getting-started-read-this-first/ Lots of fantastic info. to be found in those threads, including where to (and where not to) purchase armor. Just know that becoming a Stormtrooper is more of a marathon than a sprint. Take your time, do LOTS of research, and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's what we are here for!

Spit works too, but not recommended if you use chewing tobacco.

You will have to defer to Tony or someone more knowledgeable than myself for that one, Kyle. My understanding of electronics (as Tony well knows) is limited to plugging in my cell phone.

Some great information from Tony there, Kyle. This man KNOWS his electronics! I actually have many of his products, including fan systems for both my TK helmets, Another thing I do (especially in the Florida humidity) is to take a dab of shaving cream, rub it on the inside of the lens, then wipe it off. I have been on a few 6 hour outside troops with no problems.

Doesn't look like that link is working, Josh. I actually ordered mine from this vendor on eBay ----------- Yes, they only come in green, but for that price (which included FAST shipping), I couldn't go wrong. I simply took a can of spray paint and hit them with a few coats and Viola... They look fantastic! The only thing (which I highly suggest) is that you use something (I used electrical tape covered pieces of styrofoam) to fill the ammo sleeves with. In my opinion, they look awful if empty. If you have any other HWT questions, just PM me and I will be happy to help you out.

Good call, Randy! You can pick up an inexpensive set of "needle files" at Lowe's (or Home Depot), Michael, which are perfect for this. They come in various shapes, (round, flat, triangle, etc.) and will make your life much easier. http://www.lowes.com/pd_159850-16878-63235___?Ntt=needle+file+set&UserSearch=needle+file+set&productId=4777067

One of the more popular options is Plasti-Dip, which is available at Lowe's' and Home Depot in the paint section, and comes in spray or brush on. I prefer the spray-on, but be sure to mask up the areas you don't want to get it on. I also suggest sanding down the area to be covered, and thoroughly cleaning it after for better adhesion.

Mine were a little tight at first as well, so I purchased some shoe stretchers. Mine are made of wood, but they make them out of several materials. You can also buy spray to use to help out, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-SELECT-Universal-Shoe-Stretch/dp/B0010TN0UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463241353&sr=8-1&keywords=shoe+stretcher+spray After a troop, I let them dry out, and keep these in there between events.

Thanks for the screen caps, Mark! (Looks like I have some work to do on Monday)....

Being a Heavy weapons Trooper, I always need help with a few things! Even after many, many troops, I still need assistance with those danged shoulder snaps, and I also have to have someone help me with my pack. The nice thing is that there is always a fellow Trooper around (or a handler) more than willing to help. Don't be afraid to ask!

I actually removed a LOT of the inside of the eye area, believe it or not, especially around the top. That area is completely flat, which would not allow the lens to fit without huge gaps. I do agree that the super wide frown was not the idea candidate for a Hero bucket, but since I already have a Stunt, I decided to try my skills. I will look into making the frown a bit thinner, lowering the brow, and I appreciate the input! Keep it coming, and thanks!!!

A rotary tool, (Dremel) can certainly be adapted to use some standard drill bits. Unfortunately, Zip-Kicker will not work with a Trooper's best friend, E-6000, Cody. A lot of new folks want to use CA (super) glue to put their armor together, as they are in a big hurry to get approved and get Trooping. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but if this is your first TK build, I implore you to stay away from super glue. I just finished building my 4th set of armor, and I still use E-6000. CA glue is OK in certain circumstances, but know that it can (and WILL) run. Getting it off of ABS is more of a pain than you would believe. E-6000 is used for a reason. Yes, it takes longer to set. Yes, it can run. Yes, it smells terrible. BUT... Building a set of armor is a marathon, not a sprint. E-6000 is easy to remove. The fumes are a bonus. (Just kidding, wear a respirator if you need to). Those who build a LOT of armor know how to use CA glue, and are used to it's properties, but my advice to you is to get those rare earth magnets and clamps together, take your time, and when your BBB day arrives, you will be ready to make a set set of armor that will stand the test of time!

Thank you, Vern! I know that you have assembled a crazy amount of armor kits, so that honestly means a lot to me!!! I hope all my work pays off!

Arigatogo Gozaimasta, Brian-san! I spent nearly 12 hours on the teeth alone. 4 coats of ABS paste, endless grinding, polishing, and painting. The ears were especially a, uh, (what's that French phrase..) a "pain in the posterior armor", LOL. I also replaced the crappy canvas belt. Depending on how my GML likes it, I am hopefully shooting for Centurion, depending on the "powers that be", (Andrew and Tony).

Well, I decided to jump on the Anovos bandwagon, but I wanted to go Hero on this one. SO.... This is what I did. I replaced the helmet lenses, (green bubble), filled in the extra 2 teeth, (ABS paste), cleaned off all of the tooth paint, then re-painted them, removed the Anovos "S" trim and replaced it with Trooperbay's, used even more ABS paste to fill in the hole below the ear, replaced the pan head screws with a correct ones, filled in the 4 ear bumps from the back with ABS paste, and sanded one of them down to make them "3" bump ear bumps, (not too bad, I think). Plus, new Hovi Mic screen tips. The brow trim still needs a little adjustment, but I wanted to get some feedback. Any opinions would be really appreciated. Don't be afraid to be totally honest!