TK4205

It doesn't get old quick either; I was just as elated with the delivery of my third set.

I got a call today from the old codger at the warehouse. He has been looking for 3" cargo strap to save me the work of stripping down and surging the 4" strap that we have available. There is no 3" cargo strap, nor has it ever been produced anywhere at any time for any thing. The 4" strap was first made for conveyor machine pulley belts, and later used as cargo strap. He was very confident in announcing that this is the last of it on the planet. Today's loom machines are not even capable of producing the tight rigid weave in heavy cotton; They now use semi elastic petroleum based fiber that is a lot easier on the looms. Otherwise I would try to have the right size manufactured. Which brings me to wonder about the four inch strap and Luke's belt; I think it was the four inch cargo strap that was used, cut down to three inches. If I leave the fringe, it looks spot on to Luke's belt. This is all speculation of course, but given the era and industrial application of this item, it stands to reason... ---

I've had the same issues. Had trouble both receiving and sending. <_<

I just picked up a 5 lb bucket of silicon RTV for $60 My advice is to peruse their site and make comparison. I do know they are cheaper than Smooth On products. A buddy of mine just loaned me the vintage tank scope for an E-11. Have to do it soon too cause he wants it back. It's like he was loaning me his kid

Hey Smitty, I get mine at TAP if you want to compare prices. tapplastics.com Good luck man:)

I'm 5-9 and 1/2 barefoot. I made some lifts out of thick leather from Tandy. I use regular insoles on top of my lifts. Gives me an extra 2 inches

I think the stormtrooper curse goes beyond us. There seems to be more drama and intrigue surrounding the stormtrooper, than that of the Hope diamond.

Ainsworth is a recaster!!!

Very interesting story: http://www.originalprop.com/blog/?p=3242 Star Wars “Prototype” Stormtrooper Helmets

That's because most troopers take pride in their costumes. And have a bigger budget.

When I install fans I use bearingless cpu fans.They're quiet fans. If you google the brand name I'm sure you'll find specs. Anything over 25db is too loud. 50mm is fine.

Someone with quite a bit of knowledge told me recently; The argument over belts and what they were made from will never come to an end. We can ponder over what they could have been made from and what they really were. We know they were canvas, but there could be leather or any other material used too, but without solid proof this can neither be proven for or against. I believe this may be closer to the truth than one single material or found item. I saw the touring suit a couple years ago when I did gig for the science museum. I was confused by what I saw.

I used 1/8" foamy to close my side gaps. I now use stiff vinyl. Both work. Styrene is somewhat stiff...

This strapping was regulated by the department of transportation 20+ years ago here in the states. Everyone went to stronger/safer synthetic polypropylene and polyester. The fellow was very happy to sell me what he had left.

Aside from what a stormtroopers belt should look like, I have been searching and pondering. I have a couple of contacts in the fabric industrty, and I have shared with them screen grabs of the belt material that was used. I was referred to someone old enough to know about the older industrial fabrics. He recognized the fabric in the photos and told me that it was two different things we are looking at We now know that the belts were no doubt fabric; I believe that the belt material was either 4" wide 1/8' thick cotton cargo strap or used fire hose that was sewn flat. I am very skeptical that the time and money was spent cutting and sewing fabric. Don't get me wrong; sewn canvas belts look great and I've sewn a lot of them. I have been using a piece of white cove molding for my belt. I think that close up, it looks more convincing than fabric. Here some pics of very old cargo strap that I'm building a belt out of. This stuff is no longer in production, and of limited source. Notice the cut edge looks like layered fabric----------

My first kit was an FX. I was ready to troop within the weekend. Custom mods came later. Last year a garrison mate and myself built two elite troopers in two days. FX pretty much builds itself. The most important part is to have fun even if you rush it.

They put them in the smuggling compartments. A week later when chewy opened the compartments back up, Han stated "what an incredible smell you've discovered".

I'm thinking about buying and recasting it. http://cgi.ebay.com/Star-Wars-Stormtrooper...%3A1%7C294%3A50

Thank you Mike, for pointing that out. I have since had more ears shipped to me. My mistake was cutting on the visible mold line. This particular set of ears were pulled with a lot thinner plastic, making that mold line stand out and naturally, I wanted to cut there. With my thicker gauge ears, I wont have that problem. Upon closer inspection of the high res shots, I can see that they actually cut below the mold line.

Have fun building. It was a joy for me too to get my first untrimmed kit. Lately I've been fixing a TE2 that someone ..........painted.

I always wet sand, with good results.

Wash it first with warm soapy water. Prime several or more coats. Sand with fine grit paper. Wet sand with superfine grit paper. Let dry well and paint.

Try Krylon Fusion if you can get it. It bonds to plastic well. Always test on a small spot.

Gee, Mike. What a way to kill a thread

I didn't expect my helmet build thread to turn into a debate; There was a discussion thread for that.