Jump to content

What have I gotten myself into?


Zinfer

Recommended Posts

2 minutes ago, Zinfer said:

I just started them over.  Do any templates exist for these?

https://trooperbay.com/abdominal-plate-masking-template

 

Here is a different way to add paint to the buttons

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

48 minutes ago, gmrhodes13 said:

https://trooperbay.com/abdominal-plate-masking-template

 

Here is a different way to add paint to the buttons

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for that gmr!  Great info.  I tried the toothpick method and it just wasn't working for me.  Great solution initially but then it starts running later.  So I wiped it down for another attempt. I am going to attempt an order for those templates, IF the US Mail can handle the burden.  I'm not real clear though on this 'TE' derived or Old FX discrimination.  I guess the TE is the Most Popular.  Too many Acronyms.  :S

Edited by Zinfer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ordered the template.  I am growing apprenensive on ordering anything anymore.  Still waiting on PVC coverstrip plastics, still waiting on undersuit some 2 months after I've ordered and requested.  Getting ridiculous.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone have any information on Hyperfirm?  I was wanting to buy a E-11 but they appear to be closed?  Maybe only run a couple productions?  Anyone have the scoop?  Prolly something about Covid again.  Made an inquiry on their FB site.  Emailed one of the two listed to express my interest.  Haven't heard anything back.

Edited by Zinfer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I know, Hyperfirm (HFx Productions) is no longer around, but Praetorian Blasters is a former business partner and sells foam E-11s. Another vendor to consider if you want a "soft" blaster is Hellhounds Props, they make rubber E-11s.


https://www.facebook.com/BlasterMaker
https://www.facebook.com/hellhounds.props

 

I personally prefer to build the blaster from a kit, either doopy's or 3d-printed. Especially the doopydoo kits come at a very low price and are highly accurate, as they are molded off a real sterling.
They are out of stock at the moment, but they are usually back very quickly.

https://www.doopydoos.com/ekmps/shops/filmfreaks/stormtrooper-e-11-complete-anh-e-11-blaster-kit-offer-2685-p.asp

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Ripper_L said:

 

 

Especially the doopydoo kits come at a very low price and are highly accurate, as they are molded off a real sterling.
They are out of stock at the moment, but they are usually back very quickly.

https://www.doopydoos.com/ekmps/shops/filmfreaks/stormtrooper-e-11-complete-anh-e-11-blaster-kit-offer-2685-p.asp

 

I think Doopydoos has left the stage on producing E-11's, sad to say.  I LOVE their kits and have built a few of them, but I have been on the waiting list for almost 5 months with no reply.  I have emailed them several times as well to no avail.  :(

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, justjoseph63 said:

 

I think Doopydoos has left the stage on producing E-11's, sad to say.  I LOVE their kits and have built a few of them, but I have been on the waiting list for almost 5 months with no reply.  I have emailed them several times as well to no avail.  :(

 

That would be a bummer however, with the onslaught of 3D printers and print files widely available it wouldn't surprise me either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Ripper_L said:

As far as I know, Hyperfirm (HFx Productions) is no longer around, but Praetorian Blasters is a former business partner and sells foam E-11s. Another vendor to consider if you want a "soft" blaster is Hellhounds Props, they make rubber E-11s.


https://www.facebook.com/BlasterMaker
https://www.facebook.com/hellhounds.props

 

I personally prefer to build the blaster from a kit, either doopy's or 3d-printed. Especially the doopydoo kits come at a very low price and are highly accurate, as they are molded off a real sterling.
They are out of stock at the moment, but they are usually back very quickly.

https://www.doopydoos.com/ekmps/shops/filmfreaks/stormtrooper-e-11-complete-anh-e-11-blaster-kit-offer-2685-p.asp

 

To add, Praetorian blasters (I own a few) are very high in detail, I mean I still try and flip the safety lever every time I grab it because it looks so realistic (i'm a real firearm owner btw so it comes natural). Anyway, I've dropped it onto concrete from over 6' without and single detail failure. On the other hand I've dropped 3d printed blasters 3' to carpet and watch them shatter into pieces. Lastly are the metal, naturally they look and feel like the movie prop but weigh 5+ lbs. No thanks. Whatever you decide to go with make sure it's durable, accurate and most importantly you'd be happy with it.

 

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Ripper_L said:

As far as I know, Hyperfirm (HFx Productions) is no longer around, but Praetorian Blasters is a former business partner and sells foam E-11s. Another vendor to consider if you want a "soft" blaster is Hellhounds Props, they make rubber E-11s.


https://www.facebook.com/BlasterMaker
https://www.facebook.com/hellhounds.props

 

I personally prefer to build the blaster from a kit, either doopy's or 3d-printed. Especially the doopydoo kits come at a very low price and are highly accurate, as they are molded off a real sterling.
They are out of stock at the moment, but they are usually back very quickly.

https://www.doopydoos.com/ekmps/shops/filmfreaks/stormtrooper-e-11-complete-anh-e-11-blaster-kit-offer-2685-p.asp

Ok, contacted, wish listed the doopydoo.  Also contacted Hellhouds for details.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, justjoseph63 said:

 

I think Doopydoos has left the stage on producing E-11's, sad to say.  I LOVE their kits and have built a few of them, but I have been on the waiting list for almost 5 months with no reply.  I have emailed them several times as well to no avail.  :(

Oh that sucks.  I've heard they were highly sought after.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, ukswrath said:

 

To add, Praetorian blasters (I own a few) are very high in detail, I mean I still try and flip the safety lever every time I grab it because it looks so realistic (i'm a real firearm owner btw so it comes natural). Anyway, I've dropped it onto concrete from over 6' without and single detail failure. On the other hand I've dropped 3d printed blasters 3' to carpet and watch them shatter into pieces. Lastly are the metal, naturally they look and feel like the movie prop but weigh 5+ lbs. No thanks. Whatever you decide to go with make sure it's durable, accurate and most importantly you'd be happy with it.

 

 

I've tried contacting Praetorian but they aren't responding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have you considered a resin blaster instead?

I get the sense of security with a rubber blaster but to be honest I haven't heard as many stories of damaged blasters as you would imagine.

I have trooped my resin Doopy blaster for 6 years and only had to do very minor patch jobs on paint chips.

I think 3D printed blasters are far more prone to easy damage than the resin variants and you should hopefully be able to find a vendor if Doopy don't have stock.

RS Prop do rubber blasters, perhaps contact them and see if they make one suitable, I have only seen their ESB variant.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yea it'd be great to have a rubber one.  I would like a doopy but can't source one.  I'd prefer anyone in the States as I have an existing issue already with RS being unable to get coverstrips for my PVC TK.  Apparently I picked a bad time to go looking for an ANH TK E-11 blaster.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Zinfer said:

OMG $350 for a rubber prop?  Is that normal?  Sticker shock.  My first build so I had no idea.

Yeah that's pretty steep.  I would be equally shocked specially if i converted that to Aussie dollars!  Second mortgage anyone!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Zinfer said:

OMG $350 for a rubber prop?  Is that normal?  Sticker shock.  My first build so I had no idea.  Would need the Economy Version.  :p

Yea they're not cheap. They usually take a couple days or more to respond. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are advantages and disadvantages to different types of blasters, for instance:

 

Rubber- (Hyperfirm-Praetorian)

Pros-  Basically unbreakable.  Perfect for trooping, and you can let folks who ask "Can I hold your gun" pose with you for photos without fear of them dropping it.

Cons-  Not as detailed/screen accurate.  Can be expensive.

 

Resin-(Doopydoos)-

 Pros-Comes as a kit, but can be modified with one of Tino's finishing kits to replicate a screen used weapon.

Cons-  Hard to get ds to be on the brittle side.  Not recommended to loan to a fan.

            Difficult to get.

 

3D printed- (Various makers)

Pros-  Accuracy can vary between "Wow" and total garbage. 

Cons-  Depending on how it is printed, there may be a LOT of filling/sanding involved.  (Required for Centurion level).

            Tend to be very brittle,

            Not recommended to be loaned to a fan.

 

There are other makers that tend to be on the accurate side but require some alterations, especially for the higher levels of approval.  When in doubt, always feel free to ask and we will lead you in the right direction!

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yea Joseph.  I guess Doopydoos are out of stock.  I did place on wishlist and on notifications.  Can't seem to find one.  This sounds like an intriguing build, but I've done (attempted to anyhow) Resin Models and the plastics seem to be in such poor quality & condition as opposed to a standard plastic injection part. 

Edited by Zinfer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Doopydoo's has been known before for being unresponsive and taking a lot of time to restock. They might be available again in a couple of months, don't expect it to be back in a few days or weeks.
But even if they don't respond, you always get what you ordered and the quality is superb for a resin kit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quest Design in Canada (link here) makes a darned nice blaster.  Not 100% screen accurate, but lots of great details.  If you want to go all out and REALLY jazz it up, you can order one of Tino's incredible E-11 completion kits and replace some of the pieces.  I have done a couple of Doopydoo builds (and converted a Quest Design E-11) with his kits, and they really do make a huge difference in screen accuracy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

About how much are these doopydoos?  Just trying to make the most informed and economically sound decision for this period of  time we're going through.  So far I understand: $350 for detailed Hellhounds, $250 for Type B. $185 for Quest.  Doop's seem to be what everyone generally gone for on average.

Edited by Zinfer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...