DarkTrooper

Yeah Thayne. After thinking about it, I decided to make this an ESB armor set. ESB is my favorite movie of the original trilogy PLUS its the 30th anniversary in 2010. I'll have opportunities to troop with this at Comic Con and Celebration V!

Rivets on the left side installed. I went ahead and used the silver ones I had and painted them. The shoulders and biceps were the first pieces that I actually finished. They've been done about two months ago. Right leg now has the "powerpack" riveted in place. I'll have more time to work on it as the holiday season passes. I ordered a set of ab buttons from vaderdave. One last thing. . . TM ESB hand plates. I sure would love to have a full set made of this stuff. ABS is so nice!

I'm working on my ATA right now. My issue is with my torso piece. I had length issues with my FX kit where (untrimmed) the bottom of the chest piece covers half the buttons and detail pieces on the ab piece. With the FX, I cut off about an inch and a half from the ab piece, the part that ends up being covered by the belt anyways. This time around I think I'll be trimming the bottom of the chest plate. My concern is having a return edge at the edge of the plastic. I've read the posts about using a hobby iron. I'm just worried about "messing" up. I guess I could could trim first and see how it looks. Overall, I'm taking my time with the armor and following the "10 foot rule". Don't get me wrong, I'm still making an accurate representation of a Stormtrooper but I'm not letting microscopic details bother me. Who the heck is gonna be looking at my armor from inches away anyways?!

Here's a picture of me wearing the helmet. I should be able to finish the rest of the armor after this week. I've been neglecting my Christmas shopping with armor building.

I just saw it! In IMAX. . . . Amazing. Well worth it. The CGI creates a new benchmark for realistic imagery. i respect the Navi people. James Cameron IS Ewya!!!

Here's an email I just got "Terrific news, thanks so much:) I'm away from the shop and on my laptop, so we would have your pre-order within the shop. The boots are almost finished, there are just a few more to go and they'll be shipped pretty quickly. Sorry for the delays:)" 2-3 more weeks. New year = new boots.

I haven't been out to the movies since Revenge of the Fallen so I'm looking forward to this one. I might even attend the midnight showing if they have one here in town. The lucky folks that got to see some of Avatar at Comic Con this past summer were "blown away" by what they previewed.

Its cold in NorCal too. Yesterday it even snowed in parts of Sacramento and the Bay Area.

TX 4559 is in the 501st

Here's some pictures of you with your armor and lights from earlier tonight. You did a great job representing our garrison by holding up our banner. I look forward to trooping with you in the future.

Seeking permission to "come aboard" sirs TX4559

I put together the helmet finally. Most of my armor has been painted. I've been letting it sit as the paint cures. I was so nervous about working on the helmet, that is after all the centerpiece of the whole armor. I still need to reinforce the mic tip area with some epoxy putty. Much thanks to Mike's video tutorial on the helmet build.

Talking about the NEW FX kit Was this info ever posted here on the FISD? I haven't come across any postings here. I stumbled across this over on our "sandy brothers" forum. My biggest concern over FX armor is the helmet. I guess aside from the dome being more rounded its still the same "big ol" bucket that we've all known to love. The creator of this armor says that the new helmet will resemble the MRCE. Interesting, very interesting.

There are certain rules to follow IF your objective is to be 501st acceptable. Everyone has the freedom to do what ever they want with their costume but there are guidelines and requirements to follow if you want approval from a certain group. Check out the 501st special ops detachment if you haven't done so already 501st Special Ops Detachment Forum

Cool yeah, how much would you make one up for?

Has anyone gotten word about when another shipment of 9s and 10s will be in with these guys? I've gotten a response from them that I'm on a waiting list for 10s but that was back in the beginning of October. The year's almost done with and my ATA TK armor is almost complete. I'm just missing boots. I've seen CA boots are available in a half size bigger than what I normally wear but the consensus has been that the TK boots are better in quality (in the long run) VS. CA Boots. I continue to patiently wait . . . . . .

shins trimmed, jointed together Shins painted and hanging to dry ATA Ceiling fan. Creative way to set aside and dry parts from paint. I need to clean my room there is no space on the floor or on my desk I have small ankles so on the right shin I was able to glue together the back of it and still be able to slide my foot in and out of. I can't do the same with the left though because the opening is not big enough.

FX can range folks as small as me 5'7", 130lbs to as big as 6 foot, 200lbs. I'm working on an ATA right now. It looks just right for my build also.

Great job Jon! I'm maybe half way done on the building part with my ATA. Shoulders, biceps & arms built/painted. Calves are built. I need to pick up more E6000 to finish the thighs. ATA

Bad paint job. Yikes. What did I do? I think I painted too thick. Whats the best way to remove the paint without messing up the plastic?

I'm painting my ATA right now. It kinda sucks though because the temperature is getting colder. i have a heater in the garage though & I'm taking my time. For paint, it seems that everyone seems to be using the Rustoleum stuff. I have the plastic primer and the high performance glossy white. What ever brand paint you decide to use, use the primer & the main coat from the same brand.

Dude! That's gross! Anyways, hope no permanent damage happened to your armor. Take care of that . . . . please

Nice cog tat Alex. I'm interested in getting one too. So what does everyone else have? Watch this thread turn into a "ink" thread

Wow! If you can wait till Black Friday, Lowes is offering their 1.15amp Dremel with attachments (reg price $54.97) for $24.97!

I 2nd that! Overpriced especially for an FX kit. My recently purchased ATA set was less than that. Keep doing your research. Depends on what you're looking for: price/quality/HIPS/ABS/challenge of build.