Ne recruit intro..

[drawdan]

Hey all, I am Dan Smith and I live in Apex, just to the Southwest of Raleigh. I am a Wake County Sheriff's Deputy, professional freelance illustrator/sculptor, and I am married with two active teenagers. I am a longtime fan of the 501st and have always wanted to build a set of trooper armor. Last year I completed a large art project and used some of that money to buy an ATA/ANH kit off ebay. I also bought all the extras goodies and supplies I needed to assemble the armor as a Sandy. It is made from ABS and pretty good quality. It sat in my garage, neatly packaged for over a year while I worked on an even larger book illustration project. Now, I have finally started to assemble the armor.
Unfortunately, I believe my excitement got the better of me last year and all the research I have done recently has lead me to regret my purchase. Not so much for the quality of the product, but the source it seems was recaster that no longer exists on ebay. That being said, I have forged forward and hope to turn the situation around by modding the armor into something I can wear proudly.
I have already completed the E11 blaster using a droopy doos kit and it came out real nice. I believe it will pass 501 standards. I started on the armor with the helmet and have completed the basic construction. I ran into some trouble with the bottoms of the ears because the casting lines were not clear but I believe I can fix that. I started on the forearms last night. I have been using many online sources for construction and assembly advice including Trooperbay's youtube series. I found after constructing the forearms, that the front of the pieces is really wide for my wrist. I have seen alot of videos where armor uses velcrow on the forearm and calf armor pieces to insure a snug fit. Is this advisable? (the Trooperbay series does not use velcrow on those pieces.)
Basically, I know I am going to run into alot more questions as I continue forward. Are there any members in or around Raleigh/Durham that have Sandy armor that would be willing to help me along? I appreciate any advice and look forward to meeting as many NC Garrison members down the road ahead as possible.

[ScumandVillainy]

Welcome Dan!

I am in Durham and I would happy to take a look at your kit or let you see mine to get a feel for how it is constructed. Mine is a clean white TK but the armor construction will be similar. There is a ton of great information out there too. The MEPD (Mos Eisley Police Department) is going to be your best resource. Make sure you keep an eye on the 501st CRL's during construction. It is much easier to do it right the first time than have to fix it for approval.

To answer your immediate concerns
Don't worry about the ears, they aren't perfect on the screen either. Once you screw them on it pulls everything together.
I don't use velcro on my forearms, but I do on my calves

There are a bunch of great folks in this area who would be happy to help with your build. You can PM me and we will figure out a time to get together. Stay active on the forums too. There is a lot of awesome experience in this garrison to help you along.

[Cantina Security]

Good luck, and hope you can get straightened out. Check out Whitearmor.net , that place is full of useful info. Good luck and ask lots of questions.

[xapologiesx]

Welcome! I look forward to seeing your armor!

[tk0896]

Welcome Dan! I am in Raleigh and same as Seth, would be happy to help in any way with your build.

[RogueTrooper]

HI Dan!

Welcome!

ATA is a maker and is a vetted maker on the FISD. Do you mind PMing me the info you have in the seller. I would like to see this for FISD staff info please sir.

And If you need help on your TK/TD build you are in the right place sir! Please do post up some pix when you can.

If you can post your pix of the forearms issues I will be able to tell you what you need to do to fix it.

Velcro is not the the best way to go with this matter. not some do use foam padding glued inside some of the parts.....

Velcro is good for the closing of the backs of the shin armor really nothing to hold your arms in place..

Seth stated a great place to look for Sandtooper info is the MEPD: http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?act=idx

We are happy to answer any and all questions...better to ask then to make a mistake...

Also Boots (good boots are must for trooping)

TKboots are about the staple of footwear for the Stormtrooper and Sandtroopers, but right now they are are out of stock and reworking them.... the other best choice is http://imperialboots.com/products/chaussure/

Please post up pix and we can walk you through and pinpoint all that you need to do!!

[topgun]

Hi Dan!
Were you at the NC Comic Con? If so you may have spoken to me. I live in North Raleigh, but i'm currently away for school elsewhere.

[drawdan]

Hi Dan!
Were you at the NC Comic Con? If so you may have spoken to me. I live in North Raleigh, but i'm currently away for school elsewhere.

I was! It was great to meet you guys. Im looking forward to trooping with you guys!