T K[501st] Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) The time has come for me to start a build thread, as I would love some guidance and pointers along the way. This will be my first Stormtrooper build, so I am a bit nervous. I honestly did not expect to be working on a costume at all until I had at least been a few years in college when I had the funds to jump into this not so cheap hobby. But, at the Salt Lake City comic con last September I stopped by the 501st panel. There I heard that there was a company at the con selling Stormtrooper kits, so naturally I went to go look, yet fully expecting the normal prices of kits which I couldn't afford (being a high school senior), but no! The kits were only $550! I knew I had to jump on this opportunity. So here I am, with a kit ready to be built. As of now I have all these pieces sitting in my makeshift work space in the basement. More to follow! Edited February 14, 2016 by T K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 All righty! So I have taken everything out of the interior of the helmet to reinstall the lens/mesh better and to be painted black with plastidip. I also plan on getting helmet padding to use instead of the hardhat doodad that came with it originally. And I picked up the lovely hovi mic tips with speakers from Tony to install into my helmet. (http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/31436-fs-ukswraths-hovi-mic-tips-with-speakers-crl-accurate-tips/) I have this upcoming Monday and Tuesday off from school so I hope to get lot more done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILLSID29 Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 Interested on how you make out with the speaker install. I'm definitely looking at this option for my helmet. Is this option #7? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Is this option #7? No, this is option #8. I hope to get the helmet painted and all the electronics installed tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 (edited) The Helmet! So I'm not completely finished with it yet as I have no padding, but this is what I did so far... First I put Velcro on the back of the iComm and amp for mounting. Then I laid a strip of Velcro on the inner side of the helmet at the back for mounting. I was a bit worried about the balance on the helmet so I tried balancing it with a short stick. Looks good! And when I get the padding installed it will fit better to my head and not bobble as much. Next was to work on the lens. That lens that came with the kit is pretty good, but the way it was connected there was a large gap on both eyes. I wanted that removed. So I cut it in half... And then cut down even more to fit just over the eyes. Next was to paint the inside black, so after a wipe on the inside to get dust and whatnot out I masked the helmet to prevent over spray. Then... It surely ain't the most lovely thing to behold but that's all right. Then I installed the new hovi mic tips. I personally think these look much better than the ones that came with the kit. As of now it looks like this. I'm not 100% sure where to conceal the wires yet, I'll wait till I get my padding. That's all for now! Edited February 16, 2016 by T K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hupspring[TK] Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 Nice idea using a velcro strip for mounting stuff, it looks really clean. I'm saving the helmet for last to see how others do theirs so I can steal ideas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Nice idea using a velcro strip for mounting stuff, it looks really clean. I'm saving the helmet for last to see how others do theirs so I can steal ideas. Yeah, I thought of using Velcro so that when I get other costumes I can just use the same system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Quick question for yah folks. On the both forearms should I cut away the plastic so there is only 7.5 mm left from the return edge? I've been very confused, which means it probably is really easy, but I'd like to make sure I am doing it correctly before I cut. The ruler kept sliding while I was trying to take the shot.. But you get the idea. And on the other side on the forearm, no the front, do I just cut it to my arm size? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 Reading how tos about this I'm afraid I still don't quite understand... If I can't figure it out I'll try to find someone nearby, but I kinda live out in the boonies. <br> Hopefully someone will see this? Kinda scared about cutting the plastic. (As a senior saving for college this was quite the purchase) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 In case you haven't progressed yet: Yes, unless you have massive arms, trim it down to 7.5mm on each side, so you end up with 15mm across when the two halves join, which just so happens to be the width of the cover strip for that part. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 In case you haven't progressed yet: Yes, unless you have massive arms, trim it down to 7.5mm on each side, so you end up with 15mm across when the two halves join, which just so happens to be the width of the cover strip for that part. Thank you! That makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 (edited) Naturally, I'm only referring to the front/top edges, with the really defined return edge on each half. The other side of the armor (bottom/back) should be adjusted for size (within reason, don't make it too small even if you have really slender arms!), not for a return edge measurement. Edited February 28, 2016 by kman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Naturally, I'm only referring to the front/top edges, with the really defined return edge on each half. The other side of the armor (bottom/back) should be adjusted for size (within reason, don't make it too small even if you have really slender arms!), not for a return edge measurement. Good to know! I'll work on my suit this upcoming week. And thank you again for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) I ordered the magnets so once those come I'll begin gluing. I'll post pics tonight. Edited March 2, 2016 by T K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted March 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 As you can see, I have very skinny arms. Therefore there is a huge gap in both the bicep and... ...the forearm. How much of a gap should there be on these pieces? And on the biceps does it matter where I take plastic off? Like the front or back? I'd imagine both evenly, but I want to check before I cut. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sylverbard[TK] Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 That's fine. Nobody will see gaps and the strapping and some padding will keep your arm centred. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 Agreed. It's only an inch, so 1/2" on each side. Add 1/2" foam padding and your arm will be nicely centered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted March 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 That's fine. Nobody will see gaps and the strapping and some padding will keep your arm centred. Perfect! Thank you much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted March 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 So today I found out I have a deadline to finish my armor. Originally it was before I went to college, which is in June, but no. I need to get it finished by the end of March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astyanax Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Lord Vader runs a tight ship, amirite? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sentry71[TK] Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 End of the month is very doable. A little work each night, and you will be done before you know it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted March 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Lord Vader runs a tight ship, amirite? Tis be true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 I'll post photos today after school, but I have one question in the mean time. I'm almost finished with my helmet and I have helmet pads, http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/221940214041?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true, what is the best way to install them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 Get some sticky back industrial velcro. You'll need the hook portion on the bucket. The pads will stick them them by themselves, at least that's how we did them in the Army. I use to change out my ACH pads at least once a year cause they got so gross and worn out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T K[501st] Posted March 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 Get some sticky back industrial velcro. You'll need the hook portion on the bucket. The pads will stick them them by themselves, at least that's how we did them in the Army. I use to change out my ACH pads at least once a year cause they got so gross and worn out. Thanks! That works perfectly! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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