Carolina Garrison

Heya my name is Adam, i'm 24 and i've wanted to have my own set of Stormtrooper armor ever since i first saw Star Wars when i was 10. i have been talking to ATA works and have the helmet on the way and have been put on the long wait list for armor. although i'm excited, i've never done anything like this before and generally crap with tools and there seems to be alot to get ready in prep.

i'll keep a eye on threads and read around during the long wait, especially on modding and trimming armor, i'm only 5'4 so i'm probably going to have to mess with it more then normal to feel comfortable and i've always feared i'd seem like a Bobble head trooper with a large helmet and small everything else.

Welcome Adam, we have a ton of TK's in the Garrison that can help you out.

Welcome Adam. I'm in Asheville as well, let me know if you need any help with anything.

Welcome to the CG!

Hey Adam! Good to see that you made it over from the FISD.

Peace,

Eric G.

Fayetteville, NC

Welcome Adam!!

ATA is a great kit. I have two.

Your are in a great area for locals in Asheville.

If you need help advice etc.i am here as well.

Tom

http://gyazo.com/a299df1a2a6ed899cec126e938d20e48

sorry dont know how to get pictures to load here, but i came home to find my helmet waiting for me, i'm going to be busy for a while but hope to get a bit done everyday

the best way to add photos is to post them to Photobucket and then copy/paste the IMG code in the forum reply here. It will drop in the picture's nicely.

Getting the TK bucket in the mail was so exciting when I recieved mine a few year's ago. Be sure to research and check out the smorgasbord of Stormtrooper helmet & armor assembly tutorials on FISD (First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment)

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/

Shortest Stormy wrote:http://gyazo.com/a299df1a2a6ed899cec126e938d20e48

sorry dont know how to get pictures to load here, but i came home to find my helmet waiting for me, i'm going to be busy for a while but hope to get a bit done everyday

hey Adam!! do you not love seeing those "brown boxes" Like christmas and Bday rolled into one.

Enjoy man and take you time post pix of your progress!!

Have the right tools!!! (need advice LMK!)

BTW the best ways to post images:

1. Use and media share site like photobucket and use the "IMG" code that is linked to every image you upload to photobucket.

Or

2. Use you have "Gayzo" just right click on the image or pic with the mouse , then left click the "copy image URL" then to post the image look at tool bar. You will see "Img" . Click it and you with get:

Click in between the then right click and paste the copied image URL.

Hit preview first to make sure all looks the way you want it etc...the submit

best place for armor build post here is in this area: viewforum.php?f=12

I did this with yours

I'll admit i'm a little unprepared as after talking with ATA so long i didnt expect it to arrive so soon. so i just now had to place a order for some tin snips, E6000, Paints and a admittedly shitty but very cheap dremel tool (forgot amazon charges tax now thanks NC)

maybe can start on the eyes atleast with the xacto knife

Shortest Stormy wrote:I'll admit i'm a little unprepared as after talking with ATA so long i didnt expect it to arrive so soon. so i just now had to place a order for some tin snips, E6000, Paints and a admittedly shitty but very cheap dremel tool (forgot amazon charges tax now thanks NC)

Maybe can start on the eyes atleast with the xacto knife

Honestly i do all the trimmer with a dremel (disc cutting wheel) done a lot of helmets > lost count.

But starting out your best tools it the Curved Hobby Scissors (99.99999999999% of model RC cars and plane shops have them) $5 to $10

Pix:


And the ears for an ANH TK lids the ear are held via flat head countersunk screws the ESB as well (ROTJ glued) but you did not buy the ROTJ style.

ANH Stunt 3 flat head countersunk screws per ear. (same for the ESB TK)
ANH hero 2 flat head countersunk screws per ear. (but you did not buy that style)

So work with 3 flat head countersunk screws per ear like on this original ANH Stunt screen used lid:




Now you do not need E6000 or any glue for a TK lid build (yes for the armor) but not the lid. All you will need is some super glue or CA glue to hold the rubber trim parts (neck and Brow) and hold the screen in the mic tips.

Side note; you know Walmart Lowes home depot and hobby store carry E6000 (no need to order and have it shipped) Also the best glue for the armor build (arms legs cover strips) is Amazing Goop "all propose" which can be purchased at Lowes and Home Depot. sets up fast and does not run like E6000.


Now back to the helmet...The face and back are held together with two bolts on each side. side note the originals were held together via pop rivets (some builder still do that) but IMHO it is easier to hold face and back together with small bolts/nuts and washers. then if you need to do something to the helmet it is easier to disassemble than to have to drill out rivets.

See how the fack and back are held together with the rivets :



like I said instead of the rivets I use small bolts/nuts and washers.

trim out all the rough over thermal formed areas:









Mark off and trim out the eyes and teeth (clean up and smooth the edges with sandpaper):







Clean the teeth with a x acto blade and small "Needle" metal files or the hobby sanding files. note: metal files are at home depot Lowes and some hobby shops. The hobby sanding files are found at hobby shops;








This should get you started and I will help you though the rest.

Note the paints for the details you can find at Hobbytown USA, Michaels, AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, or hobby shop.

Best matches for the screen used TK detail paints:

Yeah, Tom is spot on. My Sandtrooper helmet (Stunt) is held together with a few rivets and then the ear covers have 3 screws. My eyes were carved out w/ an Xacto knife (as well as any excess plastic around the neck).

Those hobby scissors (with curved tips) are so helpful. I bought mine at HobbytownUSA and used them form my helmet & entire armor build. I have to say...just as I finished building my armor, they literally broke into 2 pieces. They are awesome scissors though.

For my teeth / frown, I used a drill bit to make a few "starter holes" and then used "jeweler files" to file out the openings in the frown. I bought a great set of small files @ Lowe's for less than $10. They were perfect.

As Tom said, most stuff you need can be found in local hobby shops, craft stores, Lowe's / Home Depot, Walmart and maybe even Target. I'd hate to see you spend $ on shipping that was unnecessary.

Tom is the man when it comes to TK assembly. He has a wide knowledge. The paints he described are easy to find. I went with the actual Humbrol paints.

Good luck on your build though. The FISD (http://www.whitearmor.net) has so many great tutorials. You can't go wrong. My only tips right now would be to take your time, measure twice - cut once, research every tip possible and don't feel like you're asking too many questions. There are so many 501st member's out there who want to see you assemble the best kit you can. So once again, don't feel like you're asking too many questions.

fair enough, i'll cancel my order on amazon and take my friend whos the most picky construction worker you'll ever meet shopping for what i'll need this weekend, thanks again guys.

Shortest Stormy wrote:fair enough, i'll cancel my order on amazon and take my friend whos the most picky construction worker you'll ever meet shopping for what i'll need this weekend, thanks again guys.

Coolness Adam.

and I would post up your progress here so the locals can watch and We can help ya (since I the one that would approve it)

This is the armor helmet area for the CG forum: viewforum.php?f=12

If you have questions just ask!!

BTW Jason thats for the Kudos you hit the mark on everything you listed!!

Well after going to Home Depot, Walmart and Hobbytown near Asheville Mall we didnt find any real curved scissors, and we found some paints but no french blue at any of them. it was crazy

the more i stare at this helmet the more i feel over my head. but i'll begin with light marks or cuts tommorow

also the helmet seems to have alot more bumps then i've seen from other build threads so i'm kinda worried about that, though i'll asume theres something to clear that