DarkTrooper

Haha. Thanks Chris . . .back to my build thread. Anyways, these things are great. These cloths helped me get the great shine on the armor. I'm gonna have some real work to do on the chest piece. It has some areas affected with 'orange peel'.

Armor maker: ATA Height: 5'7" Weight: 130LBS Chest: 38" Abs: 34" did you use shims? NO Waist: 30" Thighs: 21" did you use shims?NO Biceps: 13" did you use shims?NO Forearm: 11" did you use shims?NO Any other mod? My torso is shorter than most other stormtroopers, I heated and shaped the chest armor to curve more over my shoulders so that the details in the ab section won't be hidden by my chest piece.

I like it. That info is VERY helpful for those new to armor building and those looking to buy armor.

Also some people glue the snap to a spare piece of plastic first then attach that piece to the armor piece. Extra piece of plastic between the snap and armor.

No but I can move like this

I've trimmed off whatever extra flashing was on the parts. I've already started painting the shoulder bells. I started out wet sanding the finish with 600 grit and worked up to 6000 grit. Here you can see the armor after I finished it with a 6000 grit micro polishing cloth. I polished up the paint with some Meguiar's Scratch X 2.0 fine scratch remover. Does it look like an ABS finish? Its getting there. Here's the shoulder piece next to the current FX ab piece. Looks like a good match. I can't wait till this is all done and I can take a picture with the full armor and helmet.

Yeah, we'll help you find what info you're looking for BUT please do introduce yourself

These are great kits Mark, regardless if they're "2nds". thumbs up for ABS armor & helmets.

The build has gone by smoothly. I was surprised how useful the "premade" holes for the face and cap/back actually lined up the pieces pretty well (almost). I did pick up some 'accurate' HOVI MICs that still need to be painted and fitted with screen.

Yes. On the 501st forum there was a run of 2010 calendars. That was back in October. I'll expect a 2011 run to pop up around the same time this year.

Looks like you maybe up to par for EIB approval on this forum along with getting approved for 501st. Well done with the armor.

Well, last week I finally let go of the FX TX helmet. It been sitting in my room collecting dust ever since I upgraded my lid to a CAP TX helmet. Along with the FX helmet I sold my chest, back, shoulder straps and shoulders. Sort of a whole bust deal. The new upgraded parts arrived today. I've already started to do some trimming.

I have the same problem with one of my shins but I've learned to live with it. The opening scene of A New Hope had Stormtroopers invading the rebel starship and the backs of their calve pieces were opening up.

I will be there for the first time with my ESB TK I'll also be seen around the Con in my upgraded Blackhole Trooper armor also (most likely on Saturday). I'll be there the whole convention this year!

Well, they maybe more popular in cities that have major sports teams. People have them all over L.A. representing the Lakers. Its NBA finals time so there are people at street corners selling them. I've seen them sold at flea markets/swap meets. Plus, they are sure to be at sports memorabilia stores.

what a great find! We have those over here in the U.S. too & they are all over the place.

wow, so 'cryptic' . What 'upgrade' parts are you talking about?

Good luck with your build. I've built an ATA also. It's a fun build. I bought that same bag of clamps from Lowes too, they'll be very useful when you join the various armor halves together.

AP next to C6 clonetrooper. Whoops! I said I was gonna make the AP into a Hero lid but got too carried away with cutting out teeth. Ah well, I wasn't sure how bubbled lenses would have worked with that infamous AP bump in the right eye.

(rrrrrhhh-I misspelled ANH in my topic title. Good thing I'm not in this year's spelling bee) Its been a good week. Two new helmets arrived this week. First was my Clone Six Episode II Clonetrooper helmet and yesterday my AP 'seconds' helmet arrived. The mic tip area is a little thin and discolored but I'm not even worried about that since it will hopefully be hidden behind the mic tips. Mic tips will be upgraded along with the neck trim. I'm gonna follow TK4510's AP helmet build that he has posted here. Since I'm a 'shorter' trooper I'll be going for the Luke AHN look with his helmet, making a Hero lid. I'm gonna test out the ABS paste method of 'melting' ABS shards with acetone. I'll be sure to test this on a scrap piece of plastic before applying it to my new helmet.

cute dog & nice boots. I'm thinking I'll have to pick some up to replace my CA boots.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Good thing you got your money back. The same thing happened to me awhile ago. We all need to be a little more cautious when looking on ebay for armor. I'll admit, I bought my first Stormtrooper kit off of ebay but it wasn't until I followed that particular seller for a couple months and read the feedback from others who bought armor kits from them. I know ebay can have deals that look too good to pass up, but be careful. If in doubt, be sure to let us know about something you have questions on.

Your armor looks great! Wonderful finish. Its great to see another ATA looking to achieve EIB status.

Awesome costumes. yours and your daughter's. I love how Star Wars can be something that families can enjoy together.

There's also the 501st Special Ops Detachment 501st Special Ops