SB_Sneetch Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) Greetings all. I am almost finished building an ROTJ Vader (build thread on the SLD) and poking at the idea of an OTTK standing alongside him since I do not expect there to be much if any trooping for some time. Not sure I will take it anywhere yet but thinking about it and wanted to say hello. In the meantime, here is a quick pic of my first suit up of my WIP Vader (12SEP2020). I have a litany of small things to address but very pleased so far. I custom built the chest box and belt boxes. Edited September 13, 2020 by SB_Sneetch Updated WIP picture 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Hello and welcome aboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justjoseph63[Staff] Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Looks great, Chris, and welcome to the FISD! The good thing is that you probably have most (if not all) of the tools you will need... now it comes time to choose your armorer. First, as you probably know I would avoid 99% of the ones on ebay/Etsy. We have a thread dedicated to those armorers who are tried and true located here, and you are always welcome (and encouraged) to ask all the questions you have.. we are here to help every step of the way! Since you are doing an ROTJ Vader, you probably want to go with ROTJ TK armor. For that, you can't get any better than a kit from Mark at CFO, and you can PM him here: @sskunky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wook1138[TK] Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Welcome to the FISD, Chris. The boss absolutely needs some quality protection flanking his side. Keep in mind that the ROTJ TK is a bit different than the ANH or ESB TK - if you are trying to match movies. Not that any of us suffer from that sort of OCD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justjoseph63[Staff] Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 1 minute ago, wook1138 said: Not that any of us suffer from that sort of OCD. Well, some of us do... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 7 minutes ago, justjoseph63 said: Well, some of us do... Just a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaskedVengeance[Staff] Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Well, some of us do...OCD on FISD?! Never! Also, Chris, do or do not - there is no testing. Jk. You should go for the ROTJ TK, as there are far fewer of those around! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) LOL, yeah, OCD has its own name on the SLD... OVD. Obsessive Vader Disorder. I have been suffering that big time as I have done a plethora of iterations in my chestbox modeling and still have more to do... it is a slippery slope indeed. I really appreciate the insight and be assured if I do go down this path, I will be every bit as focused on building a proper TK no matter which version I choose. Wait, did I just read a jedi teaching?? Say it ain't so!! So is there a correlation on fewer ROTJ TKs and difficulty of acquiring parts to ROTJ TK? And for curiosity, what is the most popular TK around? Edited July 31, 2020 by SB_Sneetch Q on ROTJ availability 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justjoseph63[Staff] Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 3 minutes ago, SB_Sneetch said: LOL, yeah, OCD has its own name on the SLD... OVD. Obsessive Vader Disorder. LOVE IT, but I am SO going to steal that idea, Chris.... OTKD. You heard it here first, folks LOL. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Ok, so.. been wondering. Rubber gloves and those with normally sweaty hands, how does that work out for you?? When I need to wear nitrile gloves even for a few minutes I end up with a lot of captured sweat. Seems if I build out a TK, I would not be a fan of the rubber gloves. Yet maybe there is something magical about rubber vs nitrile gloves? (Not holding breath waiting to hear the answer to this one. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaskedVengeance[Staff] Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Some TKs wear cotton liner gloves inside their rubber ones, and others just wear nomex gloves instead of the rubber ones. Rubber gloves, at least for ANH, are required for higher levels of approval, but once you pass the approval, you can wear what you want at troops.Some wear cooler options. Others swear by rubber all the way, and pour our sweat at the end of troops.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 LOL, I would guess you are in the latter group?? That is a perfect response too, for approval I would opt for the rubber, but if option to wear something else during trooping, I can definitely swing that. I would even try to tough it out with the proper attire first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 33 minutes ago, SB_Sneetch said: Ok, so.. been wondering. Rubber gloves and those with normally sweaty hands, how does that work out for you?? When I need to wear nitrile gloves even for a few minutes I end up with a lot of captured sweat. Seems if I build out a TK, I would not be a fan of the rubber gloves. Yet maybe there is something magical about rubber vs nitrile gloves? (Not holding breath waiting to hear the answer to this one. ) We wear cotton inner gloves inside the rubber gloves, they tend to soak up the sweat well, keep your hands cooler too. Does help having several pairs so you can swap out during long events, nothing worse than having to put a soaking sweaty pair back on . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted August 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2020 Hmm, nothing worse.... safe to assume while being a TK? I used to white water kayak and I think the worst thing there was putting your neoprene suit on the second day.... always had to tell myself if I am going thru that experience it meant I was going to have an amazing day, which was true, but man, cold and wet neoprene sux. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted August 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2020 Well I am getting close to being done with my Vader costume and been more focused on researching being a TK. Biggest issue I see however is my size (6'1" and 260lbs). I did send an email to Pandatrooper with my measurements inquiring about the feasibility yet not sure I would make a good TK. I am probably past that option unless I go on a diet, which of course would not be a bad thing. I will keep my hopes up in case it is possible, yet if not may either choose to build a kit for a mannequin only or go and focus on building an R2. In the meantime, last Vader pic I will share here (since he is not the focus). My helmet, armor and a temp ESB cape/robe arrived (on wait list for a proper ROTJ cape/robe), I am working on a better revision of the chestbox so that will be changed out too along with some other minor tweaks: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted August 16, 2020 Report Share Posted August 16, 2020 Coming along nicely, you may find you will need to go for a larger armor AM is pretty much the largest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted September 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2020 (edited) Update: Ok, I have done some more research and understand what shims are all about and expect that RT/Mod would work yet may still be better to go for the AM kit as I understand it is a little larger. What I have to add is Vader was an easier build!! LOL, while I chose to DIY some parts, a proper TK is all about the effort one does getting it put together for their body type. You all are rock stars for the efforts you have put into your gear. Original Post: I see in the personal sales thread a new set of RTMod armor yet just don’t know if it would work for me and hesitate as a result. I am 6’1”, ~270lbs and wear a 43” waist pant. I sent a note to RTPanda a month ago asking if his kit would fit my size but never got a reply. Insights from anyone if that would work, or would the AM armor be the better bet would be greatly appreciated. I don’t wish to make any costly mistakes and don’t have enough awareness in the kits/fit... for anyone interested, I also replaced my vader pic in the first post with my first full suit up from yesterday. Edited September 14, 2020 by SB_Sneetch more educated update after initial post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted September 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 So build or commission? I am trying to weigh the pros and cons and it seems the cost difference alone may be a wash due to acquiring the extra tools and components to build the armor. That and the vendor I am considering also includes the belt and holster in the commission build. So from cost It seems commissioned is the winner. Yet I would miss out on the experience of building it (cuts, anxiety, satisfaction). so. Back to So build or commission? what say ye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 Well if you have the ideal body shape and height a commission could work for you, many find they still need to do some adjustment. Building from scratch can be very rewarding and you have a sense of pride that you built yourself BUT it does take a lot of research and work. There are pros and cons for both, really comes down to price and experience, if you can build a plastic model kit you can pretty much build a Stormtrooper Good luck which you decide, remember you have a whole detachment ready to help if required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly11[Admin] Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 Sorry, late to the party but welcome aboard Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Favre Posted September 21, 2020 Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 Welcome! I did the same thing, and built a Vader as my first costume too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB_Sneetch Posted September 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 Darth is a great costume! And I have pulled the trigger and awaiting my BBB day! I have started a build thread here and so you all can enjoy the newbie making a bunch of rookie mistakes! Looking forward to being one among the many troopers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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