Jaltrooper

Great News today! Armor is SHIPPED - tracking number landed in my inbox just a short while ago. Having bored everyone to tears with my "prep" stuff (hopefully helped someone)...the next post in my thread will be the BBB day! Funny how timing works. I have been working on a Kylo Ren Black series helmet and just did the first coat of primer...so I should be finished with that project right when my armor lands. Really excited about finally getting the armor and getting this build under way. I am confident I have done the right research and asked the right questions, so this is going to be fun. Looks like I have a couple of fellow AM builders on board...so it should be neat to get the builds underway together. See you all on BBB day!!

I got my tracking number a few moments ago...I am stoked!

They will get back with you...he is about a day or 2 out checking e-mails. My order is right on time / shipping this week. And welcome Cwalker! Glad to have you! I am expecting my first set of AM 2.0 armor also...looks like we'll be building together! Ask a lot of questions...a lot of really experienced troopers here, all willing to help you! Good Luck! Jon

They will get back with you...he is about a day or 2 out checking e-mails. My order is right on time / shipping this week. And welcome Cwalker! Glad to have you! I am expecting my first set of AM 2.0 armor also...looks like we'll be building together! Ask a lot of questions...a lot of really experienced troopers here, all willing to help you! Good Luck! Jon

Thank you for the warning...glad I got my hyperfirm!

Does anyone know where one could acquire an accurate set of Hengstler Counter numbers? I have looked everywhere and cannot seem to find the white lettering on black background. Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks, Jon

I must say...the wait is killing me... Happy New Year's all!!!!

Here is a pic...funny story...who goes out and gets a new Phone for accurate pictures on his build threads? I do...hahaha.

I have decided to do an accurate "power cylinder" build on my blaster as well. I have seen some of the great tutorials on the forums and think I can pull that off relatively easily. If anyone has done a power cylinder exchange on a Hyperfirm...some insight into the removal and re-attachment would be greatly appreciated. I think I have to find the balance between keeping the "troopability" of the Hyperfirm vs. detail...I am just a detail guy...and I feel pretty sure I can keep it while attaining a more detailed blaster. May be helping someone else in the process. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I found this at Hobby Lobby - $3.99 for a 12" x 12" x 2" thick piece. Hypoallegenic, washable and breathable... -----------

Hi all,<br><br> I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a quality set of approveable (centurion) TD clips. My armor doesn't have the clips included and I need a good pair.<br><br> Any help would be greatly appreciated.<br><br> Thanks,<br><br> Jon

Anytime Kat! My being a frugal cheapskate has it's moments!

Like losing an Aunt, a sister, a first love and an idol all in one swoop. This one hurts...rest in peace, Carrie...May the Force be with You...Always!!!

Was really bummed to hear of the passing of Carrie Fisher yesterday. It is almost like an Aunt passing considering...tragic and depressing. However, I received an e-mail that my armor is packed, and it is shipping within the next day or 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Getting close to getting this build thread going with ACTUAL armor building! May keep my rambling on down to a minimum! My Plan of attack is to start on the Bucket, then go from the shins, up the armor. I am fabricating a "fitting dummy" to my exact height measurements, as I figured that can help me make certain I am covering my "gaps" correctly. I plan on doing most of my research on the "self-fitting" of my armor over the next few days.

Was really bummed to hear of the passing of Carrie Fisher yesterday. It is almost like an Aunt passing considering...tragic and depressing. However, I received an e-mail that my armor is packed, and it is shipping within the next day or 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Getting close to getting this build thread going with ACTUAL armor building! May keep my rambling on down to a minimum! My Plan of attack is to start on the Bucket, then go from the shins, up the armor. I am fabricating a "fitting dummy" to my exact height measurements, as I figured that can help me make certain I am covering my "gaps" correctly. I plan on doing most of my research on the "self-fitting" of my armor ove the next few days.

Wishing Everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Well, after a long day of handling a Sales Team, you get tired. Came home, wait, box on porch? Too small to be THE BBB...but.......... BAM!!!! New TK Boots! As you can see, included are 2 shoe horns (1 regular, 1 long), 2 shoe bags, and some "swag" a patch and a sticker. Nice job on the "care and handling of" instructions too! For my fellow newbies, I have read enough to be aware that you need your boots to properly fit the shins, etc...so here they are. Since I am going for a Centurion build, I did get the "less than perfect" as I am going to do some light weathering anyway. Saved $5...but $5 is $5, right? Really like the boots, good quality leather, they fit great...and now, back nicely packed in the box they go, wrap them up...to Daddy for Christmas (from the 9 year old)...haha. Enjoy!!

Thanks for the well-wishes, it's fine, just a tad aggravated. I just ran across the detailed sheet and thought it may be useful if anyone wanted to read it. I don;t suppose they have one for my lack of common sense and not paying attention! Haha. Usually pretty good about my safety stuff.

That is AWESOME!!!! Thanks Joe!!! Pm inbound

P.S. if anyone knows how to extract and paste, that would be great! Thanks,

Hi All, While doing some work on a small greeblie for my blaster last evening, I grabbed my dremel, was just going to do a quick "knock off" on a mask part (grinding "Steel Stick" with drum sander) and since it wasn't a "major item", I simply didn't reach up and grab my safety glasses. within 4 seconds, a small piece shoots up and gets my left eye. Not too bad, right? Wrong. It took me over 2 1/2 hours, till 2 a.m. to get it out, and my eye is aggravated and red. So, me being me, I started my hobby today searching the internet for "Hobby Shop safety guidelines" so I could put it in my ANH Stunt build for newbies. What I found, I think, should be shared with the entire community. So, I decided to start a thread about "Hobby Shop Safety" as a way to help my fellow troopers...here is the link to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's "Art and Craft Safety Guide", intended to help everyone realize the dangers and risks involved with everything we do in this great hobby. I not only hope this helps, but I hope everyone reads this, follows the safety guidelines, and is able to keep on building and crafting without any issues or safety problems. If this helps anyone avoid any issues, then I'll be one happy trooper!!! Here it is: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5015.pdf Wear your Safety glasses, your respirators, and be safe!!! Enjoy!!! Jon

Go figure...10 minutes after I opened the thread...I noticed that on the E-11 Reference PDF front page, where I hadn't seen the detail in the text. No worries. Cut off, turned around properly, better? I cut a small piece of aluminum and started working on the "ejection port" and have a great idea for the "spring" (after scope, screw replacement, counter detail and re-paint / weather). Going to add the "stripe" and port greeblies as well. Think I can get the detail on up into the bolt chamber...we"ll see...here's the port with the aluminum in it: Thanks for the help everyone! Jon

Hi all, I just started my E-11 Blaster mod. I am trying to get a Hyperfirm ready for Centurion, and want to be sure I have everything right. So if it is ok, I would like to have a Hyperfirm Q&A for a few things, so I am sure to get everything right. I have printed off the PDF that was so well put together by the group (Thanks a BUNCH!)...but there are still a few small items as it specifically pertains to the Hyperfirm I needed to ask. 1st, I had someone on my ANH build thread question the alignment of the "bayonet holder". So here is a close up: So my question would be, Is this aligned properly? If not, how should I re-align it? Thanks for your time and help. I am pretty sure I'll be asking a few questions as I go through this. I really like the detail on my Hyperfirm. Slavefive did a great job on it and I am happy with it. Me being me, I just want to be sure I am fully approvable and ready when I am finished with my armor. So any help from the experts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks All! Jon

Wanted to add a tip I did withe the "bra hooks" to keep them in place. Dab the bottom of the hook (where you sew) in a small bit of this: set the hook in the middle of the 1/2" folded piece, with the "bend" at the edge, set it to the side. By the time you are done sewing another piece, it should be set for you to sew. The adhesive is both flexible and easy to sew through. This makes "getting it centered" easier and starting your sew easier as well. Hope this helps!

Ok all, Enjoyed meeting all of my Alabama Garrison folks last evening at the McWane IMAX troop. Nothing like meeting other great Star Wars fans and getting to see the movie with fans like myself! It was great fun and it was a HUGE benefit to see everyone's armor and how they did their builds. If you are a newbie like I am, I HIGHLY suggest getting with your local garrison and doing some "handling" to see the armor and meet some great, like-minded folks as well. I had a ball, and enjoyed the movie! On top of that, I received an e-mail from Troopergear...and it looks like I will have the armor shipped in the next 10 days...so BBB day is getting oh so close!!! Better get ready!!! On to my build. So this morning, I decided to keep my wife's sewing machine out, and get my Centurion shin Elastic / bra hook attachments done. I started with (6) 1" white knit elastic pieces cut into 4" strips. I took a lighter to each cut end to "braise" the fabric and eliminate any future fraying. I then used the Sewing machine and sewed 3 stiches at 1/2" folded: Not the prettiest stitches, but I am learning and learning fast! Once that was done on all 6, I took a #2 bra hook, and bent it out to about a 45 degree angle, then I hand-sewed the bra hook to where the hook was centered up in the middle of the folded-over end, with the rear bend of the hook right at the edge of the bend / end of the piece of elastic. I made sure that I was very liberal with the stitches and the thread. After last evening, I can see that the aesthetics and the durability are both extremely important. So I was sure to make these a strong sew. I'll dab a little Loctite vinyl, fabric and plastic "flexible" (need to keep the flexibility) adhesive on the sew (front and back) to lock it down. Anyway. I'll re-visit when it is shin assembly time, but I figured it was a good time to do my prep on the elastic items I have to fabricate anyway. With the exception of the items I have to "fit" real time with the armor. I can still get some of this stuff pre-done while waiting. It also keeps me watching and learning on the boards, and making sure I have everything in order for a good build! I am thrilled that I am not that far away from my armor landing on the front porch. should be a LOT of fun! Hope everyone enjoys the movie and the weekend! More to Come! Jon