naatsirhc

Thanks again for the comments. I am sticking a fork in this blaster and jumping back on my armor and bucket. I would like to thank John(stormtrooper) for his great cast of an ESB blaster and ask forgiveness for using his photos here. I am still new and not sure where or how to link from original thread. I would also like to thank all of those troopers who have done hasbro mod threads before me, I found their ideas and hard work very useful. I know most of the blasters used were ANH with out the counter, but I am shooting for EIB so I was stoked to find this reference. I hope that I did something new and different that will eventually lead to even better ideas. Here are the finished pics w/ related reference shot. Left side Right side Scope Thanks for following along!

I am currently unemployed due to the california economy. So, I can relate to being laid off. I did not enjoy my job either, but it still hurts to be let go. luckily, I get unemployment while I look for work. I had to e-bay some pop-art that I had to fund my armor( my wife didn't like that piece, so it was a no brainer to let it go for the sake of armor ). The upside is that I have some time to build my armor. I am sorry for your situation, just know you are not alone and that when one door closes another will open. Good luck to you and hang in there!

If you take a look at my ESB hasbro mod you can see a small rectangular opening on the left side near scope. I altered the hasbro counter to resemble the counter clip on the ESB blaster. If you look closely you will see that the grooves in this area are open. By adding these three holes( we will call them that for sake of ease) I was able to get the same volume as before mod. The speaker is directly behind these holes. If you look at the ANH mods with counters attached you will notice that the area below the counter has the openings for the sound to escape. I hope this helps!

After some wet sanding I was ready for another coat of paint. I originally started with the krylon fusion satin black, but I found this paint tempermental. I switched to the rustoleum brand of the same kind of paint and was pleased with the result. I still have a little more wet sanding to do in some areas, before adding final coat. Here is a pick of the folding stock being epoxied. I am almost done, I will post the final pics and my reference photos. I used John's (stormtrooper) molded ESB blaster as the basis for my mod. I hope this qualifies for EIB!

Got back to the bucket today. Cut out the eyes and teeth. I used an exacto to cut everything out, I then filed with small file. After that, I sanded everything down with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Here are some pics!

Thanks for the compliment! The answer is that I made the greeblies and sights with ovenbake craft clay from scratch. I am thinking about making an ESB kit, once I get my armor finished.

Well, I took a little brake to dip into my armor. Took the wife and daughter for the weekend to go jet skiing with some family friends. Now, I have decided to finish my blaster! I just had to replace those hasbro tracks, I did not like how they pointed in. I used the cut-off wheel and then used a drum sander attachment to sand down ridges. I then added my Smitty tracks Next, glued piece to back, bottom of blaster and d-ring Filled screw holes with vinyl spackle Bondo added to barrel tip and then sanded smooth with mouse 220 grit then hand fine grit Glued front site pieces I am almost ready for final paint, here is ESB blaster sideview w/ sights

That is some nice, fast work there! I like that tape method, I might try that. Hope you feel better soon.

Not much for today, I was able to get the biceps trimmed. Still need some adjustment, but I have a good start. I was not able to get to the store and buy some weld epoxy to try. I have been using E-6000 on my blaster mod, it is great stuff. I just want something stronger to hold the armor together. I plan on running strips on the inside too. So here are my biceps, using the same method as I did on forearms. Going to be away this weekend, but I hope to start on the legs Sunday Evening. Thanks for the comments and questions

Time is money! As an artist myself and art preparator for 13 years I know this much. Just be appreciative that there are guys out there making this stuff for us, times are tough for most right now. My 2 credits

This is absolutely awsome! Thanks for getting this back online. Great work

I finally got back to my armor. Trimming the ends where the armor goes together was causing some delay. To be honest, I was stressing about it. Talked to TK-4261 about it and checked his build thread, which was very helpful. After getting off the phone I grabbed my forearms and went to work. I started off trimming the ends on left arm 1inch from the seam on the inside. I then did a test fit I then marked a 1/2 inch from the inside and then scored and snapped taped and test fit, A little snug, but I will fine tune after gluing left side, started with marking and trimming ends. I found that just using pencil line on armor and then scoring was easier than when I used tape. 1/2 inch tape would have provided a line for me to follow but I am out. The right side is a little bigger, so fine tuning is required later today I will test diff epoxies on scrap to see what won't warp and start biceps

Welcome! I'm in the process of building my ATA armor and bucket. There is a lot more work, but if your on a budget and have some skill you can do it. I suggest you go through the armor threads and comments and choose what fits your price range and how much work you have to put into it. I spent a lot of time reading( days ) before picking my armor. I think ATA is the cheapiest screen accurate kit you can get, and it is good quality. You will find lots of build threads right now showing the extent of work involved. Don't rush into it, make an informed decision. There are a lot of great people here who are willing to help, take advantage of their experience ( do's and do'nts ). Well, I have rambled enough, good luck and happy reading! Christaan

Hey, I cannot access or save info! Did you pull it? I looking forward seeing what you compiled. Hope it is working soon.

That is some fine craftmanship! Do you work in a metal shop? I am very impressed, can't wait to see the finished result

All these ATA builds going on, I feel like we are in a race. I feel like I am in good company, though! At least you guys don't have to shim your sides like I will, i'm 6 feet and 220( small gut ). Happy building!

On my ears I am planning to draw a line where you have and then add a 1/4 inch. Trim that and test fit, mark again and trim some more until I get a close fit. I have done this technique with my armor trimming. It may be more work, but the best way to avoid a disaster. My 2 credits!

Curved lexan scissors work well to trim sides and neck area. If you don't use a dremmel you will need small hobby files to smooth the teeth and eye socket. There are a lot of ATA buckets being built right now, we are all in this together! Good luck

Make sure you check out Mike's ( tk-4510 ) bucket build thread. A lot of help there. I know how you feel I am working on my bucket and armor. Good luck on your build!

Thank you, everyone for the scoop on this issue Now, I just need to decide which way to go. Much appreciated Christaan

I was wondering if blacking out the inside of helmet is ok for EIB. I am trying to be really ambitious and start at the top. I know it is not screen accurate, but I am interested if there is a concensus regarding this procedure. Thanks, Christaan

Tim, That's a nice looking bucket! I'll be looking out for your finished pics

Looking good! I just started my armor and bucket, I would like to suggest using curved lexan scissors for trimming. They have been working great for me, I think your hands get sore either way. I have marked my trim lines and cut outside of that to allow me to fine tune the trimming, so that i don't overdo it. The body armor pieces I trimmed at or near the line and then used dremmel sanding wheel and hand sanding. Hope this helps, keep up the good work Christaan

So, now a little bit on the helmet. Penciled in trim line for eyes on the inside of face plate Marked teeth Neck trim Then the sides Cut right and left sides Trimmed neck area and dryfit seal Next, is to jump back on trimming the armor

With my blaster mod almost completed, I just had to start on my armor. It just kept calling to me! I would like to thank everyone one who has contributed to the various build threads which I have found most helpful. If I am doing something wrong or if you have any pointers, please let me know. The first thing I needed to do was go to the hobby store and get some lexan scissors, while I was there I decided to try the modeling putty( for whatever ). I then layed the armor out pairing up the pieces Next, penciling score lines and cutting I finished first round of trimming, I still need to trim where parts meet and cut strips. I could not help but work a little on the bucket