Let the building commence!

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

So today, is brown box day! Best day EVER! I'm SO excited to start this! My shadow trooper kit came in and he's absolutely beautiful! This particular pull still need to be painted but that will come after assembly.

This will be a challenge for sure, but I'm up for it!

All suggestions and advice are welcome!

[mr0072003[501st]]

Awesome news...

 

Start here

http://forum.specops501st.com/index.php?/forum/39-armor-tips-tricks-and-tutorials/

 

 

Read this

http://forum.501stsp...c/2160-how-tos/

 

and old and until I transfer and or make new ones, this thread has a few good links left.

http://forum.501stsp...ps-and-how-tos/

[Griffin-X[501st]]

Box party...!

[Scootch[TX]]

[xanthis02[501st]]

sweet have fun amanda

[toddo[TX]]

being that that armor is HIPS, the score/snap method works really well for trimming. Just clamp a metal ruler where you want to cut, carefully score the plastic with an X-acto, and then use a pair of needle-nose pliers to bend the excess. It will snap cleanly off. Be sure to measure at least twice before cutting though

[toddo[TX]]

Told you Scootch is fast, huh?

[vader rocks[501st]]

Awesome, congrats and good luck. Can't wait to see your progress.

[Master Tej]

Nice turnaround time! Best of luck on the build!

 

- Master Tej -

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

Awesome news...

 

Start here

http://forum.501stsp...-and-tutorials/

 

 

Read this

http://forum.501stsp...c/2160-how-tos/

 

and old and until I transfer and or make new ones, this thread has a few good links left.

http://forum.501stsp...ps-and-how-tos/

 

Question! would you still recommend ABS cement if my armor is HIPS?

[Master Tej]

LOL, you sound like Dwight Schrute. That's a good question though, from what I know ABS cement, to put it crudely, melts the plastic, but I'm not certain on that, and I don't know if it would work on HIPS.

 

- Master Tej -

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone!

Master Tej: LOL! I guess I'll take that as a compliment? sorry for my weird questions, I'm a noob after all XD

 

I have another question!

I was looking at my arm pieces today and realized they look different. You can tell from looking at the 2 on the left that the one more to the right has more of a curve where the left one does not and the left one is also a bit wider, which makes me have to fight a bit to get the front and back piece to match

Is this fixable? is this maybe happening because I haven't started cutting and sanding yet?

I need some expert advice!

Thanks

 

[Master Tej]

Well, the way you said "Question!" reminded me of Dwight!

 

Anyways, the arm pieces are supposed to be like that. If you look at the biceps, you will notice that they are also asymmetrical. In the original movies, the arm pieces were not the same, and so these are made to be like those/even cast from an original suit. Althought it might take a little jiggling around, the wider piece should go with the other wider piece, the thinner piece with the other thinner piece. Hope that helps!

 

- Master Tej -

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

Oh! OK thanks a lot! That does help. I was getting a little worried lol I just felt like I might break the plastic by bending it so much but I think it will be OK. Thanks again!

[Master Tej]

Yeah, I was pretty confused about that. I did find this really nice tutorial on FISD, it helped me understand it. Pandatrooper rocks!

 

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/13288-howto-assemble-arm-armor/

 

- Master Tej -

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

Oh that's great! Thanks a lot! Also, does Anyone know the best way to shorten the length of the forearms? My arms aren't long enough but I'm worried about cutting it because of the rectangular indentions. Help!

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

Panda trooper has one great tutorial, I even referenced it for mods at one point. How short are you in the arm area. Is it enough that cutting one full indent out will line it up just right?

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

It's pretty short compared to the armor length :\ I think I might actually have to cut off 2 entire indentions to fit my arm....but here's a picture of how it sits on my arm as of right now:

 

[toddo[TX]]

I still say to cut the wrist portion to fit. Currently you'll have a hack of a time moving your wrist. Take off what you need. The only danger is of losing the taper. I recommend cutting the wrist side to fit you, then trimming the entire forearm to maintain the proper taper. Make sense?

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

Yes, that makes sense. Thanks so much I will definately try that

[ShadowWarrior[TX]]

I was also wondering if any of you might know where I can get silver/chrome colored helmet lenses? I have dark green ones currently but I really like the look of the silver.

[toddo[TX]]

This is the lens I use: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/69/11378/ITEM/AFX-Fast-Shield.aspx

[mr0072003[501st]]

Question! would you still recommend ABS cement if my armor is HIPS?

 

NOw this is a great question.. I never thought about this before... Most people use E6000 on thuis type of Hips, I just (IMO) is not strong enough, but it has proven to be a tried and true glue for HIPS. anyone else have thougths on this.

 

 

FYI as the Forarms go, I had to cut of from the front as well, I am a shorty, and then used a sealing iron to taper the edge.

[toddo[TX]]

The return edge looks nice. Of course, the most accurate forearms have no return edge whatsoever on the wrist edge of the forearm. FISD for instance forbids the return edge for Centurion approval.

[xanthis02[501st]]

Toddo your forgetting were not as anal as those on FISD and our specialist requirements are really relaxed compared to FISD i think it's a matter of choice for return edges since these costumes are EU there isn't any film accuracy of course with disney who knows that may change to milk the SW franchise for all they can