SkulShurtugalTCG

Well, I practically finished trimming my armor to fit me within the same day. It helps that I'm basically the same build as John Boyega, who Jimm based this armor off of. So it was mostly a matter of getting the legs to fit correctly, then cutting out the appropriate chest pieces, and then wait for my paint to arrive. That happened today. I got the paint and primer that I've seen a lot of people recommend here on the forums (Rustoleum 2-in-1). I decided to experiment with how many layers of each were needed, using my handguards since they're small and mostly resin. Below, you can see the pictures I took during the process. First picture: Both with one layer of primer. Second image: Top handguard with a second primer coat, bottom with one primer and one coat of paint. Next up, both with a new coat of paint. Top: 2 primer 1 paint, bottom 1 primer 2 paint. Finally, I put another coat of paint on the top one. Anovos helmet for comparison. After comparing the two, I think the 1-primer-2-paint handguard is the winner! They're both really close, though. Found out that adding a third coat of paint to the handguard with 2 coats of primer yielded an identical result. I'd rather save myself the extra time and coats by just doing the 1-2 approach.

The Stormtroopers are paid actors, just like any other character you see at Disney. Disney splits their actors into two categories: those who can talk, and those who cannot. These fall under those who cannot. I met Kylo Ren at Disneyland last month and he was the same way; prerecorded sound bits that responded PERFECTLY, and right on time, to the situation. As I understand it, Disney had voice actors record about a thousand lines of dialogue for these characters (Adam Driver recorded about 2,500 lines for Kylo Ren). The sounds come out of the stormtroopers' actual helmets, like you would expect from watching the films. Most of the lines are generic, and can easily apply to just about any situation. From what I've gathered (and I could be wrong), they're triggered within the troopers' gloves. When it comes to SPECIFIC things that need to be said, the handlers around the troopers can subtly send the appropriate radio feed - but it happens very, very rarely.

Dangit, Jim, I JUST BOUGHT SOMETHING FROM YOU! And now you're going to tempt me with not one but TWO new things? My wallet is only so deep.

I've been slowly getting together my stuff for a First Order Stormtrooper, and today I received the piece de resistance: the BBB from Jimmiraquois! http://i.imgur.com/YbgKkOA.jpg I made a video showing myself unloading everything. It's mostly an information video for new members who don't really know what to expect from these kinds of kits. Afterwards, I sanded and washed down everything, then left it all out to dry in the Texas sun. http://i.imgur.com/G97XnNq.jpg And finally, the last thing for today - trying everything on! http://i.imgur.com/bC8gQCA.jpg Things worth mentioning: I am specifically building FN-2199, otherwise known as TR-8R. The Stormtrooper in The Force Awakens who fights Finn at Maz Kanata's castle. Luckily this will be easy enough to do, since there's nothing that sets him apart from the other Stormtroopers except using a riot baton instead of a blaster. I am still missing the riot baton, belt kit, and pouch. I may or may not be missing the holster; I am having a hard time figuring out if it was included with this kit. (Odds are, it's not, and what I think might be the holster is just another part of the belt.) I will also eventually get accurate boots, but for now, my TK Boots work just fine for approval. The parts I have: this kit (courtesy of Jimm), the helmet (Anovos standard), neck seal (re-using my ANH neck seal made by Darmen here on the forums), gloves (Endor Finders) and gaskets (FN Armory). If I am still in need of something, please feel free to let me know. Anyway, this is it for now. I hope to document as much of this build as possible. Any and all feedback is appreciated! Thanks for your time! ~~Skul

I'm working on my FOTK. I'm specifically building FN-2199 (TR-8R) and, let's face it, it's gonna be incomplete without the Z-6 Riot Control Baton he uses to fight Finn. I've researched as much as I can but I'm having a hard time finding many options for this. I've found two kits (including one made by a company that doesn't exist anymore; the other by Peter White) and I'm wondering what other options are there? Ideally, I'd prefer to just buy one complete out of the box. But I'm open to anything, really, even a DIY thing using PVC. TL;DR: What options are there?

Now THIS is the Star Wars game we're looking for.

Considering this kit is fiberglass, not ABS, would "sludge" thus just be fiberglass scraps and acetone instead of ABS and acetone?

I hope people aren't getting tired of consistently seeing me in these newsletters. Nonetheless, thanks for featuring my Comicpalooza photos!

Figured I'd have to paint the armor anyway since that's what I've seen most other builds do. Is it NOT required to match the Anovos helmet?

Did a search, didn't find an answer, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. I just got a Jim FOTK kit. It's not here yet, so I'm taking the time to research everything I'll need to put it together. I've seen practically everyone say that you need bondo for the kit. The problem is they don't specify what kind; I looked it up and there are about a jillion bondo types. Does anyone have a specific recommendation? Does it even matter? Thanks for your help! ~~Tk-69004

Thanks for the approval! I was expecting lots of suggestions and things required before aiming for Centurion, so no problem there. I agree; the fact that so much of the armor overlaps is a big concern for me as well. I personally like the look but I do understand it's not movie-accurate. I'll fiddle around and see if I can make something work, but if I can't, I'm just happy to be EIB. Thanks so much!

Name: Jack Sauder Forum Name: SkulShurtugalTCG Star Garrison Height: 5'9" Weight: 185lbs 501st profile - http://www.501st.com/members/displaymember.php?userID=21082&costumeID=124 Armor: RS Prop Masters Helmet: ATA Boots: TK Boots Canvas Belt: RS Prop Masters Gloves: RS Prop Masters Neck Seal: Darmen Holster: Darmen Electronics: Aker Blaster: Hyperfirm Front: Back: Left: Right: Left detail: Right detail: Action shot: Abdomen detail: Cod & Butt attachment: Interior strapping: Helmet front: Helmet back: Helmet left: Helmet right: Hovi mic tip detail: Lens color: Blaster left: Blaster right: Blaster back: Neck seal: Thermal detonator front: Thermal detonator back: (CRL does not specify that screws are needed; held with velcro for now) Holster attachment:

Featured not once but TWICE? Wow, what an honor for a first-month Shiny. I loved reading this newsletter! It makes me even more excited for the next one! Keep up the great work, all!

This is the ABS plastic version of the Anovos helmet, and the start of my FOTK build. If you're on the fence about whether to get one of these, I hope this video helps you make the decision easier.

I know, but extra money...

Tickets bought! Still deciding whether to bring my armor or not. I probably won't decide until I figure out whether I'm driving or flying. That will be the decision maker.

And it arrived today! It's 100% Anovos (it even came in the original box, sealed and everything). The mold isn't 100% perfect, but the imperfections are so small that I didn't notice them until looking REALLY closely. The only thing that I actually didn't like was the mic tip wasn't glued on properly and fell off right after I took it out of the box. A quick dab of insta-glue and it was fixed, though, so I can't be mad. Plenty of room inside for fans and maybe some fun stuff like electronics. I'm hoping to make TR-8R with this, and from what I've seen, it fits the bill. Thanks everyone for your help!

This definitely looks like something I need.

Trust me, I've been looking at all the options. I skipped over Anovos for my ANH TK for the specific reason that it would have taken a while to get, so it's not like I'm loyal to their brand or anything. What they have going for them is their helmets are among the only ones available taken straight from the original molds. The other ones out there look really good, but when it comes down to it, I just like the Anovos one best. I ended up buying the one from Amazon. Came out to about $50 cheaper than buying straight from the dealer, and it arrives this Friday on top of that. If it turns out to NOT be legitimate, I'll get my money back, and if it is, then I get a high-quality helmet with no wait.

Luckily Amazon's service guarantees that the product is genuine or you get your money back. And it seems, especially recently, they've doubled down on their quality control to make sure you get what you pay for. Being a Prime member helps, too.

That definitely solves all the problems, doesn't it? lol Thanks for the heads-up!

I'm working on getting things together for my Force Awakens TK. I'm on the wait list for the armor from jimmiroquai, but I was really eyeing the helmet that Anovos is offering. The plastic one, not the high-priced fiberglass one. Considering it was just made available for preorder about a month ago (again, the plastic one), I was wondering what you guys think the wait time will be on it? I'd like to have my armor done by the end of the year, and right now that looks likely for everything else. I've heard some extraordinary wait times for the original FOTK run from last year, where people are just now getting shipping confirmations on some of their parts. Would a 9-month wait really be what's expected? Or something more reasonable like 3-6? This is all for research purposes. I just like the Anovos helmet's look best right now, but if it will take an insane amount of time for it to get here, I'd just as soon settle for something different/

I think they went after me because I was the only one with a blaster.

When you're supposed to execute Order 66, but Lord Vader isn't around to deal with the little kids. Yes, that is me.

Mine is my YouTube name. It makes it easy to remember what my login is on all these websites. The story behind it: In 2003, Eragon came out. I read it and fell in love with it immediately. (It's that book with a dragon in it. It was made into a horrible movie in 2006. If you saw it, I'm sorry.) The words Skulblaka and Shur'tugal have big meanings in the book. Basically, they translate into "Dragon Rider", which is a big theme of the story. I chose that as my internet nickname in 2005, and I've had it, and variants of it, ever since. When I started a YouTube channel in 2012, I wanted it to have the same name as SkulblakaShurtugal, but shortened so people would remember it a bit easier. (Just "Skul" helps.) I added the TCG part to help show people I was a Pokemon channel. If I had known I'd get to be so popular, I would have just chosen a different name. But alas, I'm stuck with this one. Good luck pronouncing it. Or remembering it.