sskunky

To weather it I sand the whole armour down using a 1200/1500 grit wet and dry to take the sheen off. Then I use a coarser sandpaper like 400/320 grit and sand inside the recess areas and the raised parts/edges. The fun part of the whole process is when I kick it down the stone stairs of the flats I live in and then generally kick it about the floor on the concrete, grass and any other surface I can find. I'm sure at this point most of you would have a heart attack! Then I soak a piece of paper towel in wood stain and apply it all over the plastic and let it dry. Using turps/white spirit and another paper towel and remove as much of the wood stain that will come off. If you have any areas that are too scratched or not looking like natural weathering then you can sand it a bit more with a fine grade paper until it fades a bit. It's all a bit of trial and error until it looks right. Everyone has different ideas on weathering....too much, not enough... etc. The more you rub with the turps/ white spirit the less brown and more yellow the wood stain becomes and it starts to look old rather than just dirty. Once I have the look I want I then buff it with newspaper to give it a blackened dirty look over the top. On this occasion I am undecided to go full SE Sandtrooper or just go dirty Endor...... What is the general consensus? I hope that makes sense? Tools of the trade..... Helmet start point..... Lets go...... Then I start to remove the stain with Turps..... Any weathering I want to make a bit more subtle I use a scouring pad to soften the stain. It's buff with newspaper time...... I like to rough up the paint a little too....... Gives it that 30+ year look...... Finished helmet on moi!

I'm still undecided on that! I did think of doing a SE Sandtrooper but there is little love for them and I will probably sell it when done. I thought it would be interesting to do a SE but as I really need the cash I think I may go for the Endor again but maybe a little dirtier? What does everyone think?

I've just started another weathered version of my armour................

here are a few more measurements if you need them.

Thanks Vern. I have a MGC Sterling too..... I'm just waiting for it to come back from a guy that is refurbing it so it can fire caps on full auto with front venting and full cart ejection!!! How cool is that! Anyhoo, I will hopefully have it back on Tuesday so if you need measurements to make MGC ROTJ plans let me know. This is a great thread and if it weren't for Lucas we wouldn't have these plans all drawn up and thanks to Michael and everyone else's input......

Hi, I thought it was about time to finish or at least start my Mini SFS Trooper helmet. I got this from the first run Carsten did a while back. Anyhoo, I wasn't really happy that the helmet came filled with expanded foam as I wanted to make a mini replica with green flat lenses and a piece of star foam etc as per the original used helmets. I managed to hollow out the foam then spent the afternoon today sanding the inside as it was quite thick resin and as I am cutting the eyes out I wanted it to be more like it was vac formed than cast.I also cut the teeth out which was a bit scary and I used a very small drill bit and a file..... So without further ado here's where I'm at so far...... I still have a way to go yet and after priming I can see the bubbles that need to be filled better.....

yeah, could be ESB. hard to tell from that perspective.

Not sure but the Vader and Troopers are Jedi.....

One way is to paint them in poster paint and the buyer can just rinse it in water to get it off. Just message the buyer if he wins it and say that he is responsible for his local gun laws. That you do not take responsibility if it gets seized. And say you'll only send it recorded delivery so you have a record of sending it. Add this info to the auction.

Nice tip but not accurate........ Painting its easy if you do it the way I said. Just take your time and make sure the paint is dry in between the coats.....

Rich, I'll get those spare parts out to you this week. Sorry things have just been a bit mad here at home. Trying to sort the flat out for the new arrival due soon and also sorting out this huge pile of white plastic I have in my living room........

The grey is Humbrol #5 Gloss black for the thin black line. The easiest way is to paint the black line round the ear com let that dry over night then paint the middle grey bit let that dry then gloss black again for the black stripes.......

this seemed to have fizzled out?

@ Vern Yes this is the template we came up with a few years back. Before these there was nothing around to make the power cylinders with ease. yes Joe the lengths we go to......

I'm still at a loss as to what everyone is going on about? There are two sets of plans available here. One for an accurate 38mm build and one for a not quite as accurate 40mm build. So where is the problem?

Vern, did you get out of bed the wrong side or what? Every thread I read you have just posted some negative remark! Not really need here mate.

I really don't see any point to your posts Vern? Instead of criticising our efforts and being bitter that we have tried to offer slightly more accurate template than your efforts 2 years ago. How about helping and getting the exact measurement of the folding stock and coming up with a viable solution to make the the best template ever. This is a fun place and we are trying to better it in terms of accuracy for pipe builds. They are never going to be definitively accurate and people here I very much doubt will have access to metal folding tools and welding equipment. The term "Best Templates ever" isn't there to belittle anyone's previous efforts. We are not encouraging working guns. Just accurate E11s.

It's just that it's not possible to get 38mm pipe everywhere so a 40mm and a 38mm plan was drawn up.

Thanks Stephen, great finish!

Looks amazing. Is that acrylic capped ABS or something different?

Great work! Can you post a list of all the measurements you are missing. Or pm it to me just so I don't have to read through all the posts. I'm just being lazy!

Oops. Double post........

Ditto what these guys have ready beaten me to saying.

Hi guys. Sorry I havent stuck my head in for a few days. I've just been busy with other stuff. I'm back home on Tuesday. I'll get you all the measurements you need.

Paul, I understand. I'm not a priority! No seriously you guys do a great job. It's was the first time I hadn't been wished a happy birthday that's all. I can see there are changes going on. Keep up the good work.