Doggydoc

Awesome job. Fun thread to follow.

Thanks for all of the tips, I did try paint stripper, but it didn’t take it off, I am restarting the prints now at about 60% speed and dropped the layer height from 1.2 to 0.8 mm. here’s to E-11 2.0

Well, had my first big set back. I messed up the ratio on the XTC 3D coating when I tried to go by weight and my scale was not precise enough. After 4 days it was still very sticky, so I tried to sand it down but no luck. The blaster is a write off. Not too upset, just a learning experience. I have syringes to measure more accurately next time by volume instead of weight. Reprinting the barrel now, should be able to catch back up in a few days. one piece of advice, if anyone can help. How do you get rid of the print lines on areas where there is fine detail like the writing on the mag holder?

@justjoseph63 yes. I did read you post and referenced it several times. Thanks for the tip.

So while I am waiting for my BBB to arrive, I decided to jump into the 3D printing world and take my new printer for a spin and start the E-11 blaster project. After about a week of printing, I have 3/4 of the parts printed. Yesterday I spent most of the day sanding and started the basic assembly. The photos are post Bondo and pre Bondo sanding. Tonight I will be smoothing with the XTC 3d print coating. This is such a satisfying hobby. I must admit there were a few pew pew moments last night chasing the pets around the house.

Happy Holidays to everyone. Please stay safe and hoping everyone has a great 2022

The boots arrived from Crowprops today. So it took about a month to get them from when I ordered them. They fit amazing and look great.

My boots arrived today from Crowprops. Very impressed with them. I struggle having big wide feet and these are very comfortable. I now have everything ready just waiting for my BBB from AP to get the build started. I am planning on starting to 3D print the blaster over the holidays. Just need to figure out the printer a bit.

This looks amazing. You have inspired me to my second TK build. (Once I get my first one done. LOL)

I have a wide size 13 foot and just ordered from Crowprops. They actually have you send a tracing of your foot and measurements to custom size the boots.

Hi everyone, I though I would post the process I used to make my neck seal for others to use if they want to try and make their own. Materials: Stretch fabric - I used a tshirt type elastic material for the bib and the inside of the neck piece and a elastic stretch fabric with a shiny rubber like surface for the outside of the neck piece. Batting Paper for making a pattern. Right angle ruler. Sewing supplies. My neck size is 17”, so you may need to adjust some of the sizes accordingly. Based on your neck size. Step 1 - Make the pattern: Using a corner angle ruler, make a rectangle that is 26 inches wide by 14 1/2 inches tall. Mark the middle of the pattern along the long side of the rectangle with a dotted line. mark one side front and back Make a mark 10 1/2” from the edge of the front side. Make a second mark on the midline 12 inches from the edge back edge. Make a mark 13 3/4 inches from the back edge and 3 1/2 inches in from the side on each side of the pattern. Now using a pencil, make an oval on one half of the pattern from the 12 inch mark to the side marks at 13 3/4 inches and around to the 10 inch mark. Fold the pattern in hale and cut out the oval. Now we make the neck piece pattern: First make a fitted template for the neck part. This is essentially a rectagle measuring 4 inches tall and 17 inches wide (width is the same as your neck size). Mark the midline of the long side of the rectangle and make a mark 3 1/4 inches from the bottom of the neck piece. Freehand draw the curve from the marked spot up to the top of the neck piece as shown. Fold the paper on the midline and cut out the curve. Next, use the sized neck piece to create a pattern by adding an inch or two on either side and a half inch on the top and bottom to allow for seams. Seep 2: cutting the fabric: Pin the pattern to the favric and cut the fabric following the pattern, including the hole in the bib. For the neck piece, cut one piece of the outer fabric using the pattern and cut the inner fabric using the same pattern but leave extra length on the bottom to allow for the seam on the neck. use the fitted pattern to cut the batting. I used 3 layers of batting. Next, pin and hem the edge of the bib. Step 3: making the neck piece. On the non showing side of the outer piece of fabric, use the fitted template to mark the fabric along the seam line using a white fabric pencil or chalk. Pin the outer and inner pieces together along the top border of the neck with the inside and outside surfaces facing each other. Next , lift up the upper piece and fold the lower piece up to sit in between the two pieces. When the upper piece is dropped back down, then pin the upper and lower pieces along the bottom side of the neck piece. Now sew along the top and bottom sides of the neck piece. Do not sew the sides. Once sewn, this will create a tube. Turn the piece inside out so that the proper sides are now on the outside. Slide the batting into place by putting your hand in the tube and gently pulling it through. Take some time to position the batting inside the neck piece properly. Starting at the bottom of the neck piece, use a sewing machine with a walking foot to sew straight lines along the length of the neck piece. Use the previous line as a guide for the next one. Continue up the neck piece to the top. Step 4: attach the neck piece to the bib. Mark the centre of the front and back of the neck opening as well as the outermost points of neck opening at the shoulders. Next, mark the mid point , the back points ( I sewed lines from the top to the bottom where the neck piece will meet at the back), and the side points at the shoulders. Now, using the marked point to line up the pieces, pin the neck piece to the bib start at the middle front and then do the shoulders, pin the areas in between next and work your way all the way around the seam. This takes some time and several readjustments to get it right. Trimming off the excess length at the back of the neck piece helps a bit. You will have a gap of about an inch or so in the back but this is ok, the zipper will close it up. Make sure that the correct sides (inside and outside) of the neck and bib are in correct position. Now sew around the neck from the edge of one back point to the other back point. You likely will have a fair sized gap between the 2 back points, simply cut down the back of the bib in the middle of the space and sew a zipper in place that runs up the back and onto the neck section. you now have a completed neck seal. Happy trooping.

So I decided to make my neck seal today while I wait for my BBB from Authentic Props. I figured, that since I enjoy costuming, I would give it a go. I think it turned out pretty good. I am going to post a guide on how I made it in case someone else wants to try and make their own.

If I paint my armor like that can I still get centurion approval? LOL

I just ordered them yesterday, so I am not certain. Just couldn’t find any other options.

I just ordered my boots from Crowprops. They custom build and can do wide boots. I have a size 13 US sized foot with an E width. here is the email they sent me; ”Yes, we make tailored products in every size, wide sizes too. Just make the order through our website and in the PayPal notes write “US 13 E Wide size” and we will ask you for additional information when we write for the measurements.” They also ship worldwide through DHL.

Thank you

@trooper96 no need to worry about the shameless plug. It was your post that made me want to print it. I have already bookmarked those pages on thingverse. LOL. one question, how long is the longest piece that needs to print ( I assume it is the barrel parts). Just considering different options for print bed size.

Yes. I am quickly learning this. Thanks for the info again.

@gmrhodes13 Thanks for the awesome 3D printer information. I think I really would like to try to print one. Just have to do a gut check and see if I am brave enough. LOL

I did some pre BBB prep shopping today. got a few things from trooper bay, ordered the helmet voice system from Ukswrath , got the innards for my bucket, compression suit, going to the hardware store and fabric store tomorrow. I have decided that I am going to try and make my own neck covering to keep me busy until BBB day. LOL. Now I just need to figure out the boots for my oversized feet and the blaster. Any advice on sourcing larger boots would be appreciated. With respect to the blaster, I have been looking for an excuse to buy a 3D printer. How hard are the to print and build yourself? Am I being foolish and should just buy a pre made resin one?

Thanks for the information on the speakers. I have started ordering all of my soft parts but am having some trouble with the boots. My issue is that I am a size 13 E width foot. The imperial boots only go up to size 13, so I can’t order up a size as recommended. I am checking if they can custom order a size 14 but if they can’t, has anyone else with a foot like mine had success with boots? If so, where can I find them? Thanks.

Well, I ordered my kit from Mark at Authentic Props on the weekend and have started my list of other items and tools that I need to have for the build. Hoping to have everything ready to go when the Big Brown Box arrives. Thank you to everyone for the great posts and tips on armor building. @kamikaze your helmet interior build is beyond amazing and I am going to try and do mine in a similar way. Just one question at this point about amplifiers. I have looked at the Tramp, Aker and icomm systems. With the Tramp and Aker, I assume volume would be great for any trooping location. With the icomm system using the Hovi - mix tip speakers with everything in the helmet, how does the volume come across? Is it loud enough for areas that are a bit noisy?

Thank you for all of the advice. I think I am leaning more to the AP armour. I have gone through many of the build forums and will for sure start my own when the time comes. This bunch of people is amazing

Thank you.

Thanks. Looking forward to joining.