DarthDyer76

Here is what my velcro looks like on the inside...

Since "finishing" the helmet, I have now taken it apart five times... three of those were to fix my hot glue on the lenses, because it kept detaching itself... not sure if it's the humidity in the south or what... I also cut away more of the underneath area around the chin, because it was choking me every time I lowered my head... I've also ditched the hot glue for the lenses and went with some industrial velcro instead... it's not perfect, but they stay in place... will post pics later... I even tried boiling the lens material to make it curve better, so I wouldn't have to clamp it down while gluing, but that didn't work... whatever that stuff's made of, it's durable...

I'm currently on the waiting list for an ATA kit, and I'm between 5-7 and 5-8, so it should be fine for you... in March, he told me it would be about 7 months, so I'm looking at October... I went ahead and got a helmet kit from him, because those are a quick turnaround... ordered and got it in less than a week. I've got it built, so now I'm just in waiting mode until it's my turn in line for the rest of the kit. The quality is great... the pulls look good and are consistent across the board... it's not as expensive as some, but I've seen more expensive kits with lower overall quality.

The only source I had to buy a black pauldron was www.shoulderpauldrons.com, but since they're not making any right now I'm in a holding pattern on that front... does anyone have another possible source for a pauldron? I don't NEED it, but I think they look cool with the black...

I bought the eBay boots... the deal was too good to pass up... hopefully they work out OK...

I found a pair of cheap, smaller bolt cutters at Sears, so I was able to trim the screws that would potentially be a problem... I may still use some hot glue on the ends, just to be on the safe side... I looked around for some rubber/plastic endcap-type pieces, but no luck... I had seen someone use something like that on the back of the mic tip screws, so I figured I would check...

Thanks, Al... I'm sure I was tougher on myself during the process, but I really am pleased with it... hopefully I don't have to wait too much longer for the rest of my kit

Just found these on eBay... interesting: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADULT-jodhpur-jodphur-boots-all-sizes-black-and-brown-leather-riding-boots-/111015820814

Just as an aside, does anyone have suggestions on how to cover the screws inside the helmet? I'd like to avoid accidentally scratching my eyeball out... I guess I could cut them off, but I don't have access to bolt cutters... just curious...

UPDATE: So I've been holding off as long as possible on buying boots, just to make sure I find the right deal... I was going to go with the Bass Amsterdams, but I missed my shot at getting them for around $45... they haven't come down in price again, and that's been about a month and a half... I've looked at the Barnstormers site again, and it looks like the "Woodstock" Jodhpurs are no longer available, but now they have "Wessex" Jodhpurs... would these work? Picture is brown, but they come in black: http://www.barnstormers.co.uk/acatalog/SHIRES_WESSEX_LEATHER_JODHPUR_BOOTS.html

Thanks, guys!

Looking great!

Then it was on to the eyes... I opted against the green lens material that came with the bucket and got a mirrored motorcycle visor on amazon... this photo is post-cutting... I traced the outside of the eyes and cut them out easily enough with my snips around the edges of the visor (in case I messed up) I used my clamp to hold the curvature around the opening and used hot glue... mixed results on this, because a couple times I had to anchor one side with the glue, then hold the other side down to make sure the majority of the gaps were closed... I left a small opening on the bottom of both eyes to allow air through, a tip I read about... After gluing the screen on the back of the frown, some more polishing and reassembly, we have a finished product! Now, on to the rest of the armor... still waiting patiently... well, sort of patiently... LOL

I was able to get started on my Shadow Stormtrooper helmet a couple weeks back, and a Garrison mate offered to help another trooper (working on his TK) and I with the main build process, leaving just the painting/detailing work for later. We went over to his house to take advantage of his expertise... and his belt sander... LOL Cutting the face... I have to admit, cutting was not as terrifying as I thought... but I was still anxious... Did I mention the belt sander? Oh, yes... Assembled! I still had some fitting work for the ears... they were as frustrating as advertised, but I finally got it where I wanted it and was able to start the detail work. I did lots of sanding and smoothing around the eyes and cut out the teeth on the frown, then it was time to paint... Then it was on to the tube stripes... I got a template from Pandatrooper over at FISD, and I tried cutting it out with my X-acto knife... The painting with that template never went like I wanted... the paint kept bleeding under the stencil, so after about three tries (God bless Goo Gone!!), I had to go a different route.. I found another option to use the template and cut out strips of the painters tape to mask that way... I was much more pleased with the results this time...

I contacted ATA, and he was able to get me a helmet kit in lightning fast time! I just hope it isn't too much longer to wait for the BIG box to come... but anyway, I ordered late last week, and my medium box came in the mail today! t It's like Christmas!! I'd like to say I didn't have a nerdgasm... but I did... Can't wait to start building!!

Did you ever get your pictures taken, Fivezero? Your work on this build is fantastic... don't know if I would have the patience LOL

Bucket ordered and should be here within the next few days, he tells me... I can't wait!

AHHHH... got it now... forgive my dumbness and overall lack of armor-type experience... I'm sure it won't be the last time I ask a basic armor question... LOL

So even though building my armor is still a little ways off while I'm on the waiting list, I'm trying to make sure I understand the specialist requirements... this part is the only thing that I'm just not able to "see" in the photos you guys have posted: * Shoulder straps should not be attached with visible rivets or snaps, and may free float in the back rather than being permanently attached. * Armor side gaps need to be closed. This should be done by adding a shim or shims of material that must be of similar material and color as the ab and back plate. Shims should fit flush and may have seams. Ideally they will be seamless if possible to the ab and/or back plate, resulting in a single seam between the ab/back rather than extra seams for where the shims are joined. Please explain/offer photos for the newbie... LOL

Since it would be my first, I'm sure I will be OVER-cautious... but I'm planning to get some of my local garrison guys to help me, so I don't royally screw it up... LOL

After being approved for another costume a few weeks back, I'm now in waiting mode until it's my turn in the order for my ATA kit... he had mentioned when I contacted him that he offered helmet kits and usually those are a pretty quick turnaround, so I'm thinking of getting one and starting to work on that in the meantime... So, a couple questions I was curious about: -What is the consensus on the traps and tears with the TX? Painted or decals, and what color? I know the CRL leaves this open to interpretation to some degree, but I'm trying to do some comparing so I can see what *I* like best for my bucket... I see a few bucket pics in the WIP threads but a lot of them skip over the detailing part (other than the frown) -What are potentially the biggest issues that come up with building the bucket? Just so I can keep in mind without having to search threads for specific things...

I found a thread from about a year ago showing a possible source for the glossy belt to which you can attach the plastic belt: http://tinyurl.com/c2nkxpd Does anyone have any other options? I'm still on the waiting list until about October for my armor, but I'm trying to iron out some of the extras for when the time comes (boots, undersuit, neck seal, etc.)...

I've checked my closest Target/Walmart/ToysRUs stores repeatedly with no luck... I'm sure I'll end up buying one on eBay then find one in the store.. LOL...

I ran across this site from the FISD, but the boots in the original link are gone... are these still the right style? http://www.barnstormers.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_BRIDLEWAY_LEATHER_JODHPUR_BOOTS.html What are some other boot sources you guys have found for the black boots?

Not sure if this is the right place to post this here, but here goes: Since I need to have a couple projects going while I'm on the waiting list for my armor, I wanted to start on a blaster. I'm leaning toward doing the Hasbro E-11 with the doopydoos conversion kit, but I want to explore all options for buying the Hasbro. Amazon and eBay seem to have a few, but a lot of them are way overpriced. Is there another option I should check out? Any advice is greatly appreciated..