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TX Stealth Trooper; Coming together
Topic Started: Jun 6 2008, 05:55 PM (1,693 Views)
Darth Emphatic
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TX 5755
[ *  *  * ]
Hello everyone,

I am new here, but I have been working with some members of the Central Garrison and I got my armor kit contact through them. I have been tracking my progress over here:

http://www.starwarsaddiction.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2980&st=0

and here are some select photos from there:

First assembly of the bucket
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You can see the gap I have on mine here:
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Chest peices:
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Just one of many uneven parts I trimmed:
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Advice or contacts in my area (93036) would be great. The members of the central gar. I know have been most helpful as well.
Edited by Darth Emphatic, Jun 6 2008, 05:56 PM.
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Darth Emphatic
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TX 5755
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Also, to update everyone. I am awaiting some smoked lenses and I am currently assembling all the limb armor (biceps, forearms, shins, and thighs) with industrial strength velcro. The velcro'ing process is actually longer then I expected. Thats where I am currently. Ones that is done, I will be going back to the bucket to do some work.

I am also still looking for boots if someone can point me in the right direction.
Edited by Darth Emphatic, Jun 6 2008, 06:43 PM.
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Raijlin
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Boots that I have ordered.

http://www.brokenspokewesternwear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7517
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Darth Emphatic
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The only thing I was concerned about with those ones was with them being high gloss. Does anyone have pics of the armor and boots that I could check out?
Edited by Darth Emphatic, Jun 6 2008, 10:13 PM.
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TheLoneKnight
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Quote:
 
The only thing I was concerned about with those ones was with them being high gloss. Does anyone have pics of the armor and boots that I could check out?


Hi I am the one that posted my find of the black patent leather jodphur boots.
http://www.brokenspokewesternwear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7517

Sorry I never posted a picture with the armor before.
Here is one now though. The armor has many reflective spots from the flash, without setting up a serious lighting kit this is the best I could get.
In person the match up is awesome. When you look at the areas of the armor closest to the boots that is not reflecting the flash you will see it blends together very nicely.
Posted Image
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Darth Emphatic
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TX 5755
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And they are fairly comfortable? I think I am going to order these, thought i am concerned about size since it seems to fluctuate so much for me between brands. For example, the sketchers I am wearing right now are 11 1/2 to 12. The sandals I wear are 11, but my basketball shoes are 12. The boots i tried on at macys were 11 and they were about a size too big. Any suggestions on these boots for sizing?
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TX-8687
Elite Soldier: TX8687
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how did you get your helmet so well put together???? did you trim the sides to fit the dome?????
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TheLoneKnight
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Darth Emphatic
Jun 12 2008, 03:40 PM
Any suggestions on these boots for sizing?
I bought these boots awhile back but I am still building my armor so I have never wore them for a long period so I cannot speak on long term comfort. As to the sizing I wear a 9.5 pretty consistently across brands and the 9.5 black patent leather jodphur boots fit just fine for me. So their sizing seems standard to me. Also the boots at Macy's could have been a wide size too?

Check the black boots thread I posted a better pic of the boots with a small piece of armor and other people have posted they purchased them there also. You may want to IM those guys to get more sizing opinions.
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Darth Emphatic
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DarthLuis
Jun 14 2008, 10:22 PM
how did you get your helmet so well put together???? did you trim the sides to fit the dome?????
Sorry for the long stretch between posts. I had finals for Grad school last week so I was so busy I hadn't touched my armor. However, over this week I have gotten my limbs all done and I am ready to go back to work on the bucket.

I actually didn't do any trimming, but a lot of awkward angled wedging using my hands, knee, and stomache, but the darn would pop itself right out, so I taped it in place from the inside using painters tape. Then I used a flat piece of very thing plastic to put the abs glue in the gaps and then clamped that section until dry. Then I would move onto another section with a gap and do the same things. The only gaps I am still showing are in spots I can't clamp, so I am trying to figure out how I am going to do them. The earpieces are my big crux and I think I am going to have to pull them out and redo them. They just sit way too high, but I am not sure I can do much about it. Where the curve of the cap piece ends is butted against the tube and I can only sand that down so much. I am going to try and work with it, but I am sure I will have gaps to fill and paint, I just want to limit how much of them I have to do.

Oh, on a side note, messing up on one piece of limb armor is not fun. Like an idiot, I placed the velcro on the outside of both pieces. Hard to stick them together that way, huh? So I had to pull it off, use some goo-gone to try and get rid of the residue (I was gluing the velcro in place with welders as opposed to just using the sticky back), and then do some serious sanding. Not a fun process.
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Darth Emphatic
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update time:

Well, I have made some forward motion on my bucket which I am excited about. I have effectively moved my ear caps down and they gap I had is well reduced. I also starting sanding down some residue spots and I am just waiting on my wet paper to finish those up so the plastic shines again.

I assembled my detonator yesterday and just need to pick up some elastic to finish the last cap (so I can use it for storage).

Next, I am going to finish cutting out my frown and paint it, then finish sanding, add the lenses and the aerators. Finally for the bucket I am waiting on a better helmet liner from my Firefighter neighbor

My limb armor is all complete.

I need to get some suspenders still for my abdomin armor.

Overall, things are coming along. My body suit is on order, but I am waiting on the neckseal, boots, and gloves until the armor is doen.
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Darth Emphatic
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Okay, so it's been just over 9 months since I posted. A little sad. And embarrassing. I have posts in other forums with updates. I will copy those over at some point soon so there is more reference for anyone else constructing. As of October my armor has essentially been done. I wore it on Halloween. I had temporary boots for that, but it is now time for me to get the right boots so I can submit my pics? Suggestions on an actual store fronts where I could get something that would be approved would be great? I have always any store near me. I like these ones http://www.rackroomshoes.com/product/borelli/junction/2401.352038.html but I the closest one of these is 250 miles away. Anyone live near Vegas?

Here are some Halloween pics (As of these pics I hadn't completed my blaster or put the ammo boxes on. That is all done now)

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Edited by Darth Emphatic, May 1 2009, 02:56 AM.
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Darth Emphatic
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TX 5755
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Here is a breakdown of all my previous updates:


July 8 2008
And here are the pics of work on my bucket. Remember this image, the one with all the crap on my bucket. The stuff that I was going to have to sand clear off...
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And now, thanks to the awesome Rockler stuff, here is the result (though this isn't the same side, you can still see the result). Keep in mind, most of the front my bucket was sanding rough.
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If you ever need to do some sanding on any of your armor, I highly suggest this stuff. I will try and track down the direct link and post it.


Also, my Firefighter friend was able to get me a helmet liner from his work. It is much nicer and much more comfortable then the one that comes with the bucket (though that one isnt bad). Its also fire proof, so while the bucket will melt to my face, the liner will be just fine.
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July 14 2008
Hey Guys,

Got grill all sanded out and then taped it all up. I sort of want to leave it that way.
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July 15 2008
Here is a picture of my bucket painted. My question is, before I remove the tape, is there any kind of sealer I should paint over the gray?
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July 15 2008
Well, the tape went fairly well. There were a few leakage spots even though I taped really well. I used an exacto to get a straight line, but there are some light spots you can see around the frown. I need to get some black gloss paint and hand paint around the frown. Don't have the paint now, so out to the store.
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Alright. Here is a picture of the boots I found. What do you think? I got them on Clearance at a Shoe Pavilion that is closing. They were just for temporary use, but do you think they would pass?


September 24 2008
Alright. Here is a picture of the boots I found. What do you think? I got them on Clearance at a Shoe Pavilion that is closing. They were just for temporary use, but do you think they would pass? (They are too short. My calf armor doesn't cover them properly)

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And this is my first test fitting. I have pointed out the things I need to do and the areas I am not sure what to do. Any advise would be helpful in any of these areas.

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October 15 2008
Here are some images of the fans setup in my bucket. I completed this tonight. Two fan setup (for now).

Picture of the battery back setup at the back of the bucket. Also, there is a fan here that hits the base of my skull
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Tubing I used for the wiring
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Front fan for the mouth
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Fans are a little loud from the outside, but with some ambient noise, I don't think it is that noticeable. In the bucket, There is a little more noise. One of the fans is rattling just a little, but I will deal with that later.


October 31 2008
Test fitting number 2!


I think things look a lot better. I definitely need to take CAndy's advice for the shoulder armor, just wants to turn out. The torso armor needs to be centered. I need to cover the label on the pants. Other then that, some minor things I see, but good enough for our Halloween party. Any other suggestions people?
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February 16 2009
So, I promised blaster pics and I might be just a few weeks late, but here they are. Enjoy.

Blaster tip cut off...
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Some attachment. Waiting for the glue to dry
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More attachments..
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Getting the stock arm to stay in place
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Little grooves I cut into the cap ends on the stock arm to look like a flat head screw
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The end cap of the stock with the made from hanger link
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Gun all nice and painted with the primer
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The finished product
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Pretty
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The wire job
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And that is all my previous updates. I hope they help someone :D
Edited by Darth Emphatic, May 1 2009, 04:15 AM.
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COS_Vader
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Beautiful work on the blaster! Kudos.

Kev
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Darth Emphatic
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TX 5755
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COS_Vader
May 3 2009, 12:04 PM
Beautiful work on the blaster! Kudos.

Kev
Thanks! I think it was one of the things I was most happy with. The little additions (the end cap clip and screw notches) came out much better then I expected.
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crazas
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An incredible job in fact!!!

The E-11 looks really great!
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