TKZombie

Progress was slow this past week, holiday parties, attending the Rogue One premier, and a few troops. Almost finished all the sewing on the duster, here are the completed knees with straps sewn on and foam backing added for comfort.

Welcome to my build tread for my Troopmaster Snowtrooper build. This will be my 5th costume build this year and technically my 4th costume (As my first build was converted to another costume). I started the year off with a AM Stunt Stormtrooper rebuild. It was a 501st members costume I bought used and had to extensively modify and replace half the pieces and redo all the strapping to fit me. In that rebuild process I wished I had bought a new kit and built it for myself from the start, modding someone else's build is a lot more work that building a kit from scratch. So before I finished my rebuild I did a lot of research on makers. I really wanted a screen accurate TK so I finally decided on what I wanted and ordered a TM Hero Stormtrooper from Paul. My first Stunt TK was built from Jan to Mar and then approved. My second Hero TK I received in April and had it finished and approved for June. The plan was always to convert my first TK to a Sandtrooper so I started gathering all the extras for a TD build and decided to replace several parts of the AM armour with more accurate pieces so I ordered extra parts from Paul for the TD conversion. It was around this time that I did a troop with a Tusken Raider and was really enthralled with the costume. It was always a favorite of mine as a child so I leaped over the edge and ordered everything in late June to build a Tusken Raider. Late July rolled around and there I was working on both my Tusken and Sandtrooper to get them ready for the Fanexpo show in September. It was a lot of working every evening and weekends into the wee hours of the night but I got both completed and approved in time for the show. It was a few weeks before the show when I saw a Snowtrooper build up close and was captivated so much with it that I decided I wanted to order a TS kit. I reached out to Paul as I knew he had a finished TS helmet on the forum still for sale so I order it and a kit. The BBB...Sam my dog is not happy about another build, less play time for him. The unboxing and layout along with my other extras I ordered for the build...Boots, pants, holster, gloves, helmet fan... My Duster has arrived, I ended up ordering the Rob "Ice Axe" Kittell Duster. I have his amazing belts for my TK and TD and from seeing his photos knew this was the Duster for me. Here it is layed out: Side view The pouches, I did order his belt but am going to use the TM belt that came with the strapping set as its more screen accurate. Mukluks are ready. Straps added weathering is next. I wear a size 10 1/2 shoe in Canada and ordered size 9 and these fit great with the wool liner inside. I had orginally got a size 8 but with the liner they were too small. I'll be posting them for sale soon. Progress continues... Weathered gloves with hand plates sewn on. Knees prepped for sewing the elastic straps on. Shoulder bridges trimmed. Shoulder plates ready for sewing. Belt and pouches assembled to the abdomen plate. Cod plate strapped more to come soon...

Painting them ahead of installing is easier. But you're a pro so you should have no issue painting them in place...

I've messed with the military pads and they never worked out well. When i got my TM Hero helmet it came with the star shape of 1" foam for padding and a chinstrap. Honestly its the most comfortable padding I've tried. I have it in my Sandtropper helmet and in my Tusken Raider.

I'm 6'2" with the TM armour with XL shins, the extra length made a huge difference! I bought a extra set of shins and swapped them out in my AM Sandtrooper. TM all the way...

I understand. I do a large Halloween set up as well. Here's my FB page for it... https://www.facebook.com/Ravenwoodcemetery/?fref=ts

Hope all is okay, your build thread has gone quiet!

Here's a tip Home depot sells the industrial Velcro at almost half the price of Michael's.

What is the price of the armor going to be?

Why not just use the bra hook closure method for the calves? I ahve them on my TK and TD and never had a issue, they flex if you move and hold tight. My thoughts...

The brackets are certainly the way to go! I have strapping/snaps on my TD, but the brackets on my TM TK its a way better connection system. <br><br> Good job on the progress!

Order a Hyperfirm E11-Blaster, have it shipped to Tom he will bring it with him. He's been doing this forever for our garrison members. It's how I got my Hyperfirm DLT-19 and SE14R Blaster. Buy him a drink for his troubles.

Glad to see your approval TKGiraffe. Get readyfor Centurion. <br><br> Christina

I have the TM 1.5mm abs armour and have seen Anvos armour up close to compare. The TM is more off white. If you go TM get the 2mm white capped acrylic version it will match. Its thickness is bullet proof too!

Incredible what you are doing to modify that armour to your size. I could never do that. Keep going can't wait to see it finished!

I have to wear a block of foam in my lower back as my waist is too thin and causes the kidney and ab to overlap without it. So I'd try adding inner padding first to try fitting it.

From looking at your photos from FANEXPO I'd say your connection point where the shoulder bell attaches to the under side of the shoulder strap is in the wrong spot. I'd try moving the connection forward right in front of the chest plate. This closes the amount of black undersuit gap in the front and pushes in to the back and I think might help with your shoulder issue popping up to. I have no other attachment to the shoulders other than the single elastic strap and snap. This is where I have mine on my TK and TD. Right against the chest and on the inner side. Never had a issue you've described. That position keeps the shoulders tight to my chest and has very minimum gap in the front Even on the back the gaps are small.

Some photos for a photo shoot of my finished Tusken.

Well I finished my build with weathering this past weekend and submitted for approval and am happy to announce DZ 21421 is approved! I've built the costume to wear as a Tusken Raider or Bantha Rider. Here is my Tusken Raider: And here is the Bantha Rider version:

$17k for a TK and a Jawa? I don't understand why so much. I know how much the AP kit is. Why so much?<br><br> I built a AM Stunt TK, TM Hero TK (that's the most expensive TK out there), Tusken Raider and a Sandtrooper for less than that and still have a 5th costume incoming next month. All totalled up its much less than the $17k.

I have a TM TK from Troopmaster, I'm 6'2" and 175 lbs and it fits me perfectly. He makes extra long shins which are about 3" inches longer than regular kits. The big question is torso length, my height is more in my legs so the torso fit me perfectly. I have a Vader friend who tried it on and he's 6'5" but all length is in his torso. It was way to short for him. I'm the tall TK on the right...

Looks great can't wait to start my TM Snowtrooper build!

Looking forward to seeing this progress!

Here's a few photos of my Hero TK out in action...

yeah I thought it'd be cheaper too, well at least it was less expensive than my 2 TK's but not by a lot. You can do it cheaper but then the quality will suffer.