jefoid

Hi All. Well, the title says it. I've been lurking for a while and posted a few times here and on the Dune Sea Garrison Forums. (I'm in the US, in Arizona) I have pulled the trigger on an RS kit, including the hero helmet and strapping package. It now sits before me. I was reliably informed it would take months to get a kit! It took less than one! (OK, that's on me) Anyway, I've wanted to be a Stormtrooper since about 5 minutes into the movie in 1977, so I am pretty determined to make this happen. I am somewhat deliriously happy right now. Everyone on the forums has encouraged me to go for Guardian, so here I am in all my spectacular ignorance. I wrote that title, so I'm committed. I'll take a second to introduce myself, as my intent here is to post the entire process, regardless of how foolish it makes me look. I consider myself a fairly handy person in general. I have some experience with 3D modeling, 3D printing and woodworking. I have a pretty good assortment of tools and probably not enough clamps. That's about all my assets except determination and all of you. I have never done anything remotely like this. However, in the short time I have spent meeting the folks in the Dune Sea Garrison I have become determined to join the 501st, and do it with Guardian armor. It seems like a great group and a great cause. So, I received the box earlier today, but was working. I just peaked in it, made sure it wasn't smashed or anything, panicked, put it back and took this picture. And here we are. No one needs to tell me to go slow. I'm pretty much paralyzed right now. If it's not too early, may I begin peppering the stupid questions? I have read through many build threads, but they're all so skilled. How prone are the pieces to scuffing? This project is going to take months to complete. I know the armor is going to get scuffed when worn, so how careful do I need to be during construction? How prone are they to cracking? The set I have is ABS. I think it is 90 mil? How worried do I need to be as I shape the parts? It seems like they need to be handled pretty roughly. I really don't want to have to buy replacement parts. I have been assured several times along the way that the RS kit is a good size for me. I weigh 175 pounds and I am 5'-9 1/2" or so. (79kg and 175cm) Any reason this shouldn't be the case, now that it's too late? Speaking of the above, I intend to use metric in this build, as most of the tutorials do. Unless that's a bad idea for some reason. Well, that's it for now. My next step is to open and categorize everything. I should be able to handle that without destroying anything. I'll post photos of "everything," whatever that is, as soon as I can. Looking forward to the experience ahead. Uh, Tentatively Toward Glory! or something like that. Jefoid

Thank you all! I am not jumping in to the purchase, but it is oh so very tempting. I will definitely start a build post. Given the waiting period here, my first project is likely to be an E-11. It seems as if the AP version of the armor is quite available, but only in a pre-trimmed (and drilled) version. As a general question, does a pre-trimmed version help or hinder my efforts? Is it just the money, or do I have to worry about them doing it wrong? I believe this is currently considered a good supplier, so I have been looking around for the pros and cons of this maker. Do I start a build thread before I've even ordered anything? Not that sexy in terms of photo content.

Greetings Troopers, I have wanted to be a stormtrooper since I was 10, and I am starting my journey. I met some troopers from the Dune Sea Garrison, including the commander last weekend in Phoenix and I think now is the time to do it. I have a million questions, but I also want to set my expectations. For example, this is my first costume and my first armor, but I really want to shoot for Centurion Armor. There's nothing obvious in the requirements to steer me to the lower levels, but it does seem like you need to make that decision on day 1. Would I be crazy to try? Pros: I am a fairly handy person in general, and I am a lifelong maker of things. I am pretty good with 3D modeling, and I have a Prusa MK4. So I do have the ability to make my own small parts. I have made a Han Solo Blaster and Marvin the Martian's blaster. Both are fully finished props. I am working on Hellboy's gun, the Good Samaritan. My intent is to make that one fully realistic gun metal colored, so it's a good test for an E-11. I am an avid woodworker. I'm pretty good with a Dremel. (clamps people, the secret is clamps) I have built many small things, such as a set of steampunk goggles. That project included leatherwork, which I enjoyed. Cons: Uh, none of those things seem to have anything to do with the skills I need here. Also, I can't sew. (yet?) That would seem like a pretty huge liability. I understand that I will be purchasing the molded parts from someone, so I guess I don't need to build a vacuum form machine just yet; so that's good. Yeah, the con is that I don't know what I am doing. The Dune Sea Garrison does seem to have regular build parties, so I should be able to get some in-person help. Anyway, based on the resume above, should I shoot for centurion, or am I kidding myself?