illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 This thread is just going to be for my bucket. I will create a separate thread later for the armor once I complete the helmet. Anyway, after waiting almost 10 months, i finally received my "BIG BROWN BOX" and crap it did not disappoint! Naturally I opened the box and layed it out somewhat accordingly so that i can make sure all the pieces were in there. I definitely got some TK Wood from holding the kit in my hand lol... It's going to be a process building this but I'm going to take my time and do it right. Cant wait!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 First i had to just hold the bucket in my hand and just marvel at the beauty lmfao... strategically think of what im doing next lol. I definitely used the trooperbay videos and other online threads here at inspiration/tutorials to help me. So thanks to all Troops helping troops! First I scored basic shape in the eyes and drilled some small wholes to get a basic shape open. Once i had a rough opening, using online examples and following the molding shape on the ATA, i used a pencil to mark the line i needed to cut to. Using my exacto knife, i carefully cut the eyes to where i wanted. Once i got the eyes to where i wanted them ( i will sand/file them up a little once i finish with the frown to do both together), i then drilled some small wholes on the frown to be able to get my x-acto knife in there. I'm not sure if you can see the wholes to well, but they are just to be able to get my knife in there to start cutting away. I then started cutting away at the frown. This is where i left my current status for the night. Next up on the agenda will be to finish up these frown wholes... to me getting the eyes and frown wholes just right are really important. Getting the face right is CRUCIAL lol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R4ZORBL4DE[TK] Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Looking good so far ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone[TK] Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Never heard "TK Wood", but understood immediately ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattrooper Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 nice work so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuumantroop[TK] Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Moving along nicely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutter[TK] Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 And the fun begins! Take your time, research and ask questions. Good luck, Trooper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snaps[TK] Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thanks for the encouragement everyone...i'll keep you posted as i make more progress. I have a question, should i paint/spray the inside of the bucket black? I have seen some do it and some neglect to do so. Yay or Nay...will be more annoying now that i have made the holes, but i want to make sure i do everything the best as possible. I know its not required, but just want some insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuumantroop[TK] Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Not required, but after having my AM helmet left white, i decided on the plastidip+cheesecloth for my AP helmet. MAN what a difference! It helps make the lens darker with a black interior, and just looks awesome imho. But, it is completely up to you. When i did my helmet, i did it with the eyes cut out and the frown as well. If you do decide to paint it black, i highly recommend at least using plastidip. If you happen to get any in places you don't want, it will easily peel off once dry. Just something to think about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) thanks for the heads up. I might end up doing it with plastidip then; i have one concern though, wouldn't the plastidip make it hot inside the bucket since and act as an insulator? Edited March 23, 2015 by illusionz_09 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone[TK] Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 It will get hot in your helmet anyway. That's what fans are for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 It will get hot in your helmet anyway. That's what fans are for. Touche lol... So back to the build. I finished off the teeth on the frown to where i was happy with them and did some light filing (in the wholes i can get inside lol); the others just cleaned with the x-acto blade. Finished Frown & Eyes Based on the shape of the mold, i then cut the sides of the face plate and the neck trim underneath. BTW, those molds are seriously harder/stronger than they look lol. It was pretty difficult to shape with the scissors i have so i had to clean it up with my x-acto. (i use this blade for everything lol) I left a little extra just in case...let me know if I should get closer. Now that i have the face plate where i want it, i began working on the back cap. Just as before, i drew light lines with a pencil to get an idea of where i wanted to cut it. I'm not sure if you can see it in the pic. On both sides and below. Then I drilled a whole where the lines come to a point for support, as we all do. Then I cut at about where i drew the lines. I did not take a picture of the process of actually cutting, but I'm sure you can imagine lol. Anyway, this is where i left it off for the night. All trimmed and ready to start of the ears. Please provide some input if i should may trim a little more anywhere. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated lol... I'll work on the ears sometime this week and hopefully have it assembled soon, then ready for paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I actually ended up buying some Satin Black Spray Paint to paint the inside of the bucket (for mic tips too). I'll just tape off the holes to paint bucket. I have a question, should i put some Bondo or putty in the inside of the bucket behind the mic tips? I have heard of some people doing that. Is it needed for an ATA build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R4ZORBL4DE[TK] Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I actually ended up buying some Satin Black Spray Paint to paint the inside of the bucket (for mic tips too). I'll just tape off the holes to paint bucket. I have a question, should i put some Bondo or putty in the inside of the bucket behind the mic tips? I have heard of some people doing that. Is it needed for an ATA build? I have an ATA bucket and didn't put anyting behind the mic tips ... just dont over-tighten the screws Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarlon[TK] Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Looking good so far! Wait until you get to the ears...I'm ready to throw mine through the window. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I just had to paint the inside of the bucket for sanity lmfao. I ended up using Flat Black (I still had it from my Blaster build) Taping up took longer than I thought... I covered up the ATA sign to leave the TM. And covers the frown holes i made as clean as i could. The ABS isnt the easiest thing to stick the painters tape to. Then ended up doing 2 coats of the Flat Black. After it dried for a while i removed everything and saw the finished paint job. Im really happy with everything overall. I may touch up the frown a bit by hand later to make it cleaner; well see. for now im happy. Up next is to put this together then do the ears... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) I'm a little upset about my clamps... they did slight damage on the right eye, but ill try to touch it up with some heat and sanding later. Anyway, i cut the brow and then put the cap and face plate together. if you notice on the right side i had some issues and had to fix the hole. It will be covered by the ears anyway. So i put the overall bucket to where i was happy with it. (Except that right eye in the corner lol) Then i started working on the ears. First i drew a line to get an idea, then do a rough trim off. and Holy crap!!!!!!! am i glad it came with a second pair lol.. Those ears are difficult as shucks to get right. It's really a slave Leia lmfao. Perfecting these really takes a lot of practice. Hopefully the second pair i can get better by doing it little by little, i'm doing those tonight. I'll keep posted the final ears on. Edited March 27, 2015 by illusionz_09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) lmfao...i like how the forum changes words automatically lol... Shucks? really? haha. And "Slave Leia" instead of B*tch! lmfao hilarious. Edited March 27, 2015 by illusionz_09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusken RTT Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Ears will be fine- your nailing it; nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutter[TK] Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Yeah, the ears are never fun. Good luck with them. I can't see what the issue is with the right eye. Can you take a close up shot? I'll throw a word of caution out about using heat on the helmet. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, it could get away from you in a hurry and the helmet is not something you want to take a chance with. Just my 2 cents 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarlon[TK] Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 The ears are definitely a pain. Just don't try and over due it. I don't think they'll ever get perfect. I gave up on mine and decided to just leave them with a bit of a gap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehcaveman Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Good job brother !! Your doing great!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionz_09[TK] Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Yeah, the ears are never fun. Good luck with them. I can't see what the issue is with the right eye. Can you take a close up shot? I'll throw a word of caution out about using heat on the helmet. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, it could get away from you in a hurry and the helmet is not something you want to take a chance with. Just my 2 cents Its just a little tiny bent on the upper outside of the eye. The clamp got away from me a bit. I may just not mess with it, its just my OCD on making it perfect lol. The maker always sees the imperfections of their build lol... thanks for the encouragement guys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R4ZORBL4DE[TK] Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Dont trim off so much with your first cut ... start off with a thick ear and slowly ... SLOWLY ... whittle that sucker down to fit . Take your time with the ears ... if you think they will be done quickly, youre mistaken. I think it took me roughly 2-3 hours per ear to get it where i wanted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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