The5thHorseman[TK] Posted June 13, 2013 Report Share Posted June 13, 2013 (edited) Hi everyone, Ok so now i’m really starting my build thread! I’ve been pushing it back later for too long now . I was always telling me “I do that and I begin my threadâ€, “again this and I start it, for realâ€, “oh, and this too…â€, etc…! I’ve begun working on my kit at mid-March and I can’t believe it’s been 3 months since and the armor isn’t finished yet! But the build is coming to his end right now, and almost all the boxes “done†are check on my “to-do list†J I didn't take pics of the whole build but let's try to make a little retrospective of it. The journey began with that Brown Box full of AP-ness (I’m proud, I’ve just made a pun in another language than my mother tongue ^^): But trust me, AP doesn’t line with happiness at all as almost all the halves seem to don't match with their opposite… All the untrimmed pieces lay down on my little student’s bed: D’ya want a sweet? ^^ Trimming time: I did all the trimming with the Score&Snap technique. Just the best technique there is once your hand becomes sure enough. The first cut… …And the first bleed But it worth it, here is my first trimmed piece: The first cuts are really pretty intimidating, especially when you begin trimming the big parts, but I do admit that after a little time you become really confident in you and you just cut it without any fear of screwing it all! First rounded cut… And… …Second Bleed ^^!! Yes sir! This one was pretty nasty and I remember having to stop trimming for the day (the night besides ). It's funny because my first though was to avoid putting blood on the armor Splitting the butt from the kydney: Even if I trimmed the lid in last, this step was still a bit scary :s Blindness is over Above all, DO NOT sneeze now ! The easy work’s over: In fact, you quickly realized that the trimming is the easier step compared to what’s next, you can almost do it in “brain-off†mode. Fitting & gluing: The magnet-crown : I dunno why but it reminds J.Christ with the crown of thorns ? There’s no turning back now, rivets are set: Ears… hum… what can I say about them… DAMN PAIN IN THE A**!! Took me a whole day to fit both of them! Because the worse in that step is to realize that when you’ve done the first one, after having sweat all the water of your body, curse the entire world because it didn’t want to fit, you still have the second one to do!! AP forearms… Trust me, they really don’t want to go together! The forearms, especially the first one I mounted, gave me some good headaches. You have to deal with a lot of shape issues and I gained a lot of confidence in myself after having assembled these. First cover-strip drying. Yes I hadn’t received my magnets yet ^^: So, who’s « Clamps » now ^^! Much easier with some magnets: Very first test fitting! Only the left arm was glued together and nothing was strapped but i couldn't resist ! And after that I almost stopped taking pics . The following is one of the only one I took: First torso fitting test. Behold the underwear and the wookie style I cut off A LOT on the back of the thighs ! Thrilling time: My last cover strip drying. I don’t know for you but trust me, at this time I felt really good, even relieved!! It definitely deserved a pic! My thighs-gather, you can even notice the theory of it near the strap for the left thigh: Thighs on!!! And finally… The first whole (almost) fitting test! I dressed up all by myself, my bro was here but he told me “démerde-toi tout seul!†which in polite English would be translated by “Help yourself†First feedbacks: Strap up all in place is hard, really hard but once all is attached together you do feel good in the armor… unless you put the lid on ! When you put the lid, the nightmare just suddenly begins! You can’t see your feet, you can’t see your arms, and you can’t even see your hands, man!! I was holding my e-11 but I wasn’t seeing it at all. You can’t see what’s in front of you if it’s too low and my lenses aren’t even already installed! So not only you can’t see a damn thing with this helmet but the little you can see, you’re seeing it in green… The truth is: You must suffer to be a Stormtrooper! So now what I still have to do: - Glue the ab buttons (done since) - Glue the hooks for the shins (question about it below) - Fit and glue the Sniper knee plate (I'm so scared about it, i've read some many "horrors" concerning the AP knee plate) - Finish the belt - Finish the TD - Finish the helmet... So now the question about the shins. If i go the accurate way with the hooks it creates a pretty big gap compared to the innacurate way: So, what should i do ? Go with the accurate way no matter the gap, the innacurate, or maybe just take off the loop i did to make the hooks more easy to set, to lose some thickness ? Pfffiou... fortunately i'm seeing the end of the tunnel. The following in the next post soon (i hope !) Edited April 11, 2014 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeMaxim[TK] Posted June 13, 2013 Report Share Posted June 13, 2013 Nice build and entertaining read. Look forward to follow your work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMUDGE Posted June 13, 2013 Report Share Posted June 13, 2013 Very informative and also very entertaining - good on you mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyInWhite[TK] Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 good stuff! practically a tutorial I always believe a project isn't yours until you bleed on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted June 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 (edited) Some updates since the last time: I painted and glued the ab buttons, being very attentive to not put them upside down ! And also almost finished the belt, the hoslter isn't affixed yet because it's to my brother's house right now I also bent some metal with my bare hands ^^ (in fact it's almost true because i have no vise ) to make these shiny TD clips ! I've painted the screwheads in black after i took the pics. I haven't glued any TD parts yet because i plan to mod the endcaps as gmrhodes13 did, to be able to remove them in case i want to detach the clips: Going to make the caps on the detonator able to be taken off, just glued some abs elbows onto the inside of the caps. Going to have elastic glued on one end with some velcro stiched to the end of it, then velcro glued to the other elbow on the cap. Will just need to pull off one cap, remove the velcro then the ends will come off. And i've begun handpainting the helmet. Let's give life to that baby ! But now in France it's time to go to bed ! Edited April 11, 2014 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 Nice TD mod lol, lid lines are looking awesome well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clamps[TK] Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 So, who’s « Clamps » now ^^! your use of clamps is impressive, keep up the great work and soon you'll be a full on clamps Addict. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Oh man ! You haven't stolen your nickname for sure !! I'll try my best to clamp the hell of that sniper knee plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Clamps the 2nd LOL, awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 (edited) Ok, i've been working on the sniper knee plate and here's where i am right now. What do you think about it ? Is that good enough ? I must say this is very hard for me to fit this thing as i don't have any heatgun so i'm heating it with my toaster and this is not simple ! Also the left wing gives me some troubles as i cannot bring the top in contact with the shin without exercising major pressure upon it and i fear it would be inconvenient when i'll have to glue it. is that serious or am i just too anxious ? Edited March 5, 2014 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) Major step finished today ! The lid is finally fully handpainted And it was muuuuch more difficult and longer than i expected. Now I really respect the guys who painted the movie's helmets, these guys are the real heroes ^^ ! (I've just realized i still need to varnish the screws ) BTW what do you use to glue thing inside the lid ? E6000? Hot-glue? or something else? Edited March 5, 2014 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 (edited) Little update to say that lenses are set, mic tips & chin strap too, and lid is now padded. And first heavy test successfully passed out ^^ For those who say you should see the life through rose-coloured glasses i answer, green's better Also, pic of the sniper knee plate Ammo knee belt rivets: And the completed "To-do list" Edited March 5, 2014 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clamps[TK] Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 nice checklist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted September 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 (edited) Hi back everyone, I’ve been away from the worldwide web for two months during my vacation, but it gave me the opportunity to finish my armor (and also my blaster btw). Most of the work was already done but a lot of final adjustments were required and it was the perfect time to do them. 07.9.2013: After so many days working on this armor, the time for the first full suited set of pictures had come: In the beginning I was really over satisfied about the result! I found the armor looking really great! However… once the excitation of the first days faded out, i started to notice the issues and after a little time I couldn’t see something else. - The first and most obvious one was both the biceps waaaay too wide for me! I spent a lot of time fitting the thighs, forearms & torso to me but the fact I didn’t put as much efforts when i assembled my biceps rapidly became something i can't stand. In that case there aren’t many solutions: So i ripped them apart & trimmed them again. Taking that decision was harder than I expected because when you think all is finished it’s really difficult to start a piece all over again, but not once I’ve regretted it. Comparison pics, former on the left against new one on the right: - The second issue was both the Shoulder bells waaay too opened. For this I tried gluing new male poppers inside the shoulder bells backward of the previous one. It has worked for the right one but the left hadn’t told his final word as we’ll see later. - My third issue was that the Right shin kept twisting outward. The solution to this problem has already been posted here so I just applied it: In addition to the popper I’ve also added padding on both shins as it makes them quite comfortable. - 4th: Where the hell is the holster? At the time I hadn’t it yet but it’s now affixed. I used poppers to affix it making it easily removable. As recommended I’ve used pop rivets to secure the male half so the outside looks accurate. - 5th: I also trimmed the back of my thighs cover strips: - 6th: That blaster needs paint!! : Click me if you want to see more 08.14.2013: After all these adjustments, it was time for a new set of full-suited pictures! I improved the background too btw: Still, there were improvements possible. - The easy work first: I’ve brought the left poppers on the back plate up/forward so the back plate would sit a bit lower on the left (I’ve run out of poppers so I couldn’t make a new shoulder bridge). At that time I had already given my magnets to my bro for his build so I had to secure it while drying with what I found - Now the left shoulder bell… It gave me a lot of headaches. It doesn’t appear on the pictures but I was keeping replacing it all the time as the left bicep and the shoulder bell kept wanting to fit into each other notch. Yet if they fit like that, the left shoulder bell is brought backward and leaves too much black. I was about to give up on the problem, when after a brainstorming I came out with an idea and i ended up building this: Don’t worry, it doesn’t bite ^^ With a view from the top you might already understand the purpose of this piece: Set inside the shoulder bell: The idea behind this piece is to create a new notch for the bicep to fit in but shifted backward regarding the shoulder bell's one, and then preventing them to fit into each other natural notch. And this way I hoped it should keep the shoulder bell closed in the front. After some additional cuts and sanding: - You can see the bicep fitted into his new notch, backward of the shoulder bell’s natural one. Here you can see the shifting created by the piece I’ve added and which prevents the shoulder bell to twist backward: BTW on this pic you can clearly see that the fact AP has two identical shoulder bells is a problem as their shape is clearly designed to fit one precise shoulder, in this case the right shoulder. This following picture has been taken after 10min of moving around and without repositioning the shoulder bell before the pic: It’s really not bad at all and I don’t think I could obtain something better without changing for a proper left shoulder bell so I’m happy with it. The only problem with this mod is that you sometimes creak when you move the left arm (since i've glued some foam over it to prevent that issue). Right now the only thing left I have to do is waiting for my brother to build his ! (And also buy a proper undersuit & maybe raise my belt up one of these days! -done since-) Cheers !! P.S: Gosh I’ve been blister packaged , ready to be sold in shops as a deluxe action-figure!! Edited October 12, 2014 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clamps[TK] Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Great progress. Make sure your test fittings are wearing your undersuit and not street clothes. The fit WILL be different. In all your test fit photos above it appears that you have on either baggy pants or jeans. If you size based on that, everything will be very loose when you wear the under suit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clamps[TK] Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Ps, very creative shoulder solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted September 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Don't worry, i've fitted my thighs and shins in underwear , i was wearing this jeans only because it's the only black pants i found . In fact my legs were really tight during these fullsuited sessions because of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted December 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 Careful, pic HEAVY! Hi, I'm just making a little update to this thread as this pas WE i finally decided to weather my TK in a more Tantive IV look to give it some life . Hanguards, even though i won't be using them that much longer Even the hook is weathered! (just kidding, it broke during a troop ) No picture of the helmet as the weathering is to faint for pictures Good day everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rezablad3[TK] Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 WOW.....that looks stunning. Well done mate!!!! now lets see some suited up pictures... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCTrooper[TK] Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Awesome build! You are the perfect size for AP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Update: As i want to keep this thread the most possible up-to-date with my armor i'm making this post. So last time i wheatered my armor, however the weathering i did for my helmet was a bit to faint for me so i decided to re-do it. Pictures : I also modified the strapping of my left shoulder bell which finally fixed my issue with it. I just shortened the length of the strap to the shoulder bridge. You can see the previous and the new location on the pic below: And i also received and glued my flexible "Alternative" handguards from Karin. Big thank to her! And to finish a little pic of myself next to a rocking Slave Leia look alike You can also see that the belt has been raised on the abdominal plate That's all for now Cheers! Edited April 11, 2014 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DroidHunter Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I love the weathering job on the armor and the helmet! Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.