bluebantha

Premium Anovos Helmet is arriving Monday!

Caught an Anovos premium line TFA helmet for $250 on Mercari. All things seem well, seller seems nice. They do offer buyer protection however, so if things go wrong, I can always get a refund

Yes! The last thing I want to do is make some irreparable mistakes to the armor lol

Thanks for all the links! super, super helpful. And thank you for also pointing out the thermal detonator

Hey all, I'm hoping to document my first order TK build here! This will be my first build, and I will inevitably have a million questions, so I'm hoping I can have some guidance! Here are my current plans: My dream is to make the TFA version of the trooper, as this design is what truly got me invested in stormtroopers years ago when I first saw them walking around Hollywood Studios. The DN kit is obviously intended to be used as a TLJ/TRoS suit, but from what I can tell, it can be made into a TFA kit. So that leads me to my next question, are the only differences between the two versions the helmet, forearms, and cod piece, or are there more? My plan is to order the individual TFA pieces from Imperial Surplus, and make both versions of the suit. Long term, id like to have an approved TFA kit, TLJ/TRoS kit, and Executioner kit. Lofty, but doable I think. As far as the helmets go, I would love to have both of the DN premium helmets, however, im not keen on dropping nearly $1,300 on the two of them. I will certainly get the premium TFA one, however, for TLJ, im going back and forth between the premium and standard line. The premium line helmet is very accurate. The standard line helmet is slightly inaccurate beneath the mouth, using the TFA chin. I thought about converting a black series helmet, as the chin is more accurate, however, I have quite a large head, and worry it won't fit. I have 3D printed 5th Horseman's F11-D, and SE44-C. Geeky Pink seems to be the go-to for gaskets, however, I am looking for rubber ones, as I hope to apply for centurion. I believe there are runs of accurate metal holsters, as well as well defined resin hand plates, both of which I hope to purchase. In addition, I may upgrade to Dino's spats. Any guidance and/or tips are greatly appreciated! I have completed a few ANH TK kits before this, and I'm excited to add this to the roster!

Little update, I’ve began to glue the snaps into the armor, and I’ve put the split rivers into the left side: Also, I’d love some input on my helmet. I know I need to paint the ears, and screws, as well as add the frown mesh, but I’d like to hear your opinions otherwise! I’m pretty happy with it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for this! I did use a lighter to seal the elastic, but haven’t thought about recesses. Nothing seems to be getting in the way at this point Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Spent a little bit making these quick snaps to attach to the inside of my armor today: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here’s some photos of my progress! Tips would be appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi everyone, I'm really sorry for my lack of posts over the past week or so, life has been so hectic, but I'm getting back into the swing of things! I have a few verbal updates for you all, and I will hopefully be able to provide some photos to support that this evening! - I received my 2 sets of replacement ears from Trooper Bay, which I will use to practice fitment on my helmet - I have fixed the paint on my vocoder and mic tips to hopefully increase the accuracy of the helmet - Both of my biceps have been completed - I cut out both thighs, and have glued one. It seems to fit nicely! I'm very happy and grateful that this armor kit seems to be bigger than Walt's, which helps me a lot. The abdomen and kidney meet without shims, the chest is wider, and the thighs are bigger. With all that said however, I do still need length in the shins and forearms, so I'm just waiting to hear back from Walt on when hes able to ship the extended ones! Thank you all for you help and support thus far, and I cant wait to continue this build!

Here’s some close ups Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here is the bicep and the helmet! Tips and advise are appreciated as always! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi everyone! Its been a few days since my last update, so I figured Id let you all know where everything currently stands. I received a package from Trooper Bay yesterday, which included all of the elastic and nylon Ill be using in my build, the holster, all necessary paints, and 2 extra pairs of ears so I can try to make some improvements on my helmet. I've been in touch with Walt from WTF, and am purchasing extended forearm armor. In addition, he is finishing up his extended shin armor molds this week, so I will be placing that order once he finishes those pieces up. I believe these will really help with minimizing the gaps on my limbs I have been painting the frown and vocoder on the helmet, and would love some input on that! Lastly, I have just finished one of my biceps, and am currently cutting out cover strips for the other. My magnets came in, and have been really helpful Photos will follow later on today!

Got my magnets today, and I started installing inner cover strips on the biceps and forearms: I have also just ordered extended forearms from Walt, as I believe I’ll need them. I’m gonna be using 18mm strips on the forearms and the front of the biceps, and 20mm strips on the back of the biceps. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome, thank you so so much! I have two new sets of ears coming from trooperbay, so I’ll be practicing on those Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you VERY much for all of this information, it’s incredibly helpful. I will try to make changes, as I am aiming for higher levels of approval. I should have posted another update however. The photos you are referencing are from last night, I did a lot more work on it this morning where I brought in the ears a bit, and attempted to fix the angles. Here it is, with decals as well: How do the ear angles look now? Personally, I think they look better than last night, but I don’t have the eye you do! I did add the steps at the top of the ears to minimize the gaps. Let me know what you think! (Are they still too thick?) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok, so, I’m feeling really good about this helmet! Later this afternoon I’ll go back to working on the arms and legs. I have $50 worth of magnets coming in today lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Both ears have been trimmed, teeth have been cut out, and mics installed: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did some more trimming, and I think this looks much better!: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I feel even better with the neck seal on Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey guys, ok, so, I’ve done some work on the ears, and attached the left one. Here are some photos: So, the angle of the ear doesn’t look as egregious as I initially thought. Although, I do think my ear is too thick. I’m struggling with figuring out where to remove material Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OH! one more thing. Does anyone know what size rivets are typically used on the helmet? I have my rivet gun and some rivets, but they all look too large or too small. Id like to order some correct ones.

I'm still worried about the lower curve on my helmet, although I couldn't leave any more room, as there were mold lines the ears wouldn't cover. Here is my helmet versus the one posted in the "Helmet Ear Tutorial" thread Any thoughts on this?

Thank you so much! I stumbled across him on eBay, but I generally hate eBay, and wasn't sure if he was trustworthy or not, so thank you for confirming!

So, I decided to right my wrongs, and start over on the helmet. I ordered 2 new pairs of wars from trooper bay last night, so they should arrive relatively soon. In addition, I also filled my rivet/screw holes with ABS paste, and will sand it once it’s dried: I know that I’m the only one who would really be able to tell, but could someone with a better eye let me know if my cuts look incorrect? Again I’m still concerned with the angle that I had to put the ears at, I feel like it’s too steep. Also, does the brow need to be taken up more? If you look near my traps, I still have cutting room. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk