New Member - Death Trooper Soft Parts help

[itskub]

Hey everyone! I am new to this forum and am ready to begin my journey building my first kit to join the 501st. I decided that I will be making a Death Trooper, and I wanted to reach out to you guys for some help with the project. 

So first off - I will be 3D printing the armor myself, using the MCM STL files. I would much rather do that myself than paying someone to vacuum form it. 

What I wanted help with is specifically the soft parts. I wanted to sew/tailor them myself and wanted some recommendations/tips on doing it. I found a forum post titled "Tom's completed Death Trooper Costume build" that goes over some of it, but the videos that he linked no longer work. 

I found this piping material that I thought would work:
https://www.amazon.com/Polyester-Quilting-Clothing-Accessories-Wrapping/dp/B0C4YYB5PQ/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CZQ-fOIsALRB2txXNOn1AeNKwFVuG-lqiz1AGuMxq3mmaN8GRWUBY7oPTfymPu9TCrYaHxFZyio8HTlAC-4-6g8xkALlPYLQ1KJU_nfeEb4o9T9i9PpAT7j_dqlbuM7-JuhrW6-B3yc4aeCme2ZfF9JalRJFOBnogf2zrqJE1c3c-JR1rpt9sEQrpldrnTFLYjTS47SdazRrJSg_3MMDs-VTdJfNmiGAorZwxniHGeyouHCb5dcIZzV4XHJBJKeAQ1S6VQrBKms4DAepGjGDBT1pXLwsQhG2ZrE_x1Mwyjw.a6RhTss8HsLm2Aev1-BUFhzVLxAeoF6J-IEX7oFwnfw&dib_tag=se&keywords=black%2Bpiping%2Bfor%2Bsewing&qid=1730670996&sr=8-5&th=1 

I apologize if some of these questions are answered somewhere else, it has been difficult navigating all of the different forums to figure this out.

[PiotrRasputin[501st]]

Hi Jakub!

Good choice with MCM files for 3D printing as many people have used those for their builds.

Regarding the soft parts, have you looked over the CRL for everything?  It looks like the "ribs" for elbows, poncho, neckseal/apron, abs, shorts and knees have this stated: "measure approximately 3/16" to 1/4" (5-6mm) wide." The bias tape you shared looks like it could work, as there is a video showing the actual pipe to be about 1/4" wide, though its a bit hard to tell.  The main thing with the whole undersuit is it is very tedious sewing to do. 

Have you considered reaching out to Jim Tripon on facebook for the undersuit? It could free up time for you to work on other parts of the suit if that is a factor. Also, if you take good measurements in centimeters, his suits are very reasonably priced.  I got mine done by him as a 2 piece and fits me great. It took slightly less than 2 months to get it from him.

[Chaos[CMD-DCA]]

@itskub Jakub, Welcome to the darker side of The Dark Side. Excellent choice of costume. It is a rather tedious and time consuming build but way worth it when completed. The piping you are looking at texturally and size, look like it might work (that would be up to your GML's interpretation of the CRL requirement):

• Shall be rubber or a smooth semi-gloss black material with sewn ribs.
• Horizontal ribs approximately 3/16" to 1/4" (5-6mm) wide.

As Dan mentioned, Jim Tripon is about the only source of the undersuit and soft parts complete sets. IMO the cost and quality of Jim's undersuit verses DIY construction time and material sourcing is well worth it. Don't get me wrong, it can be done with the right material. 

My under suit is from Jim, however I did do some major modifications to it as I made it a one piece similar to a diver's wetsuit so that I could use the abdomen ribbing to make a corset style gasket. I posted a thread in the DT forums on how I modified it.

jimmiroquai@yahoo.com , www.facebook.com/jim.tripon

Best of luck, there is a plethora of builds and knowledge here to assist you as you move forward with your build.

 

[itskub]

15 hours ago, PiotrRasputin said:

Hi Jakub!

Good choice with MCM files for 3D printing as many people have used those for their builds.

Regarding the soft parts, have you looked over the CRL for everything?  It looks like the "ribs" for elbows, poncho, neckseal/apron, abs, shorts and knees have this stated: "measure approximately 3/16" to 1/4" (5-6mm) wide." The bias tape you shared looks like it could work, as there is a video showing the actual pipe to be about 1/4" wide, though its a bit hard to tell.  The main thing with the whole undersuit is it is very tedious sewing to do. 

Have you considered reaching out to Jim Tripon on facebook for the undersuit? It could free up time for you to work on other parts of the suit if that is a factor. Also, if you take good measurements in centimeters, his suits are very reasonably priced.  I got mine done by him as a 2 piece and fits me great. It took slightly less than 2 months to get it from him.

 

12 hours ago, Chaos said:

@itskub Jakub, Welcome to the darker side of The Dark Side. Excellent choice of costume. It is a rather tedious and time consuming build but way worth it when completed. The piping you are looking at texturally and size, look like it might work (that would be up to your GML's interpretation of the CRL requirement):

• Shall be rubber or a smooth semi-gloss black material with sewn ribs.
• Horizontal ribs approximately 3/16" to 1/4" (5-6mm) wide.

As Dan mentioned, Jim Tripon is about the only source of the undersuit and soft parts complete sets. IMO the cost and quality of Jim's undersuit verses DIY construction time and material sourcing is well worth it. Don't get me wrong, it can be done with the right material. 

My under suit is from Jim, however I did do some major modifications to it as I made it a one piece similar to a diver's wetsuit so that I could use the abdomen ribbing to make a corset style gasket. I posted a thread in the DT forums on how I modified it.

jimmiroquai@yahoo.com , www.facebook.com/jim.tripon

Best of luck, there is a plethora of builds and knowledge here to assist you as you move forward with your build.

 

Thanks for both of your responses. If that's the case, then I think I'll commission Jim to make it so I can focus on everything else. I reached out earlier so hopefully I'll hear from him soon!