TK Recruit in Avon [Archive] - Home of the 501st Legion's Bloodfin Garrison and Rebel Legion's Mos Espa Base Forum.

SydB1974

08-01-2010, 10:06 PM

Greetings all,

Ever since attending Celebration 2 (and 3), I've had the bug in my head to get some armor and join the ranks. Money, time, etc., has kept those plans at bay, but NO MORE! I've got a set of ATA armor incoming (it's actually done....should be on it's way this week!) and will be starting my armor building soon. I've been scouring the forum over @ FISD for the last couple of weeks researching and getting up to speed with the in's and out's of getting up to spec as a TK.

So, expect some posts from me over the next few weeks/month or two.....and yes, I'll include progress pics.

As far as my armor goes, I'm going ANH Stunt for this set. One detail I've been flip flopping over is whether to go with a chest mounted speaker or speakers in the mic tips. I'm leaning towards chest, although the how-to on FISD showing how to dampen the inside of the helmet behind the mic tips is intriguing. Any tips are welcome, obviously! I plan on getting the ROM/FX setup.....as long as the current run doesn't run out in the next few weeks.

I'm excited to get started, and look forward to trooping with Bloodfin in the future!

Doug

SkylaFett

08-01-2010, 11:27 PM

Good can't wait to troop with you Doug!!! There are a lot of TK's on here that can help you with any questions you might have. Unfortunately I'm not one of them. But good luck and keep us posted!!!

dirty tusken

08-02-2010, 01:51 AM

Good to have you man. I would go with the arator speakers the sound is directed outward so its not as loud in there as you might think(not countin your fans). Plus it would be all inclusive. No wires running all over the place. Once you have it in hand you'll post those pics.

ShockNurse

08-02-2010, 10:41 AM

Hey'ya Doug! Look around, make yourself at home and welcome to the board!

3778

08-02-2010, 11:48 AM

Welcome Doug! Looking forward to trooping with you.

tk709

08-02-2010, 10:08 PM

AHA! Another Death Star pretty boy! Can never have enough of those. Looking forward to seeing your progress, and your inevitable induction to the Imperial ranks.

Welcome!

Perkeo

08-03-2010, 03:17 AM

I just don't understand the appeal of shiney stuff....everything should be dirty!

Welcome to the forum!!!

motliek

08-03-2010, 08:32 AM

AHA! Another Death Star pretty boy! Can never have enough of those. uh yeah we can and i think we do :)

It can be shiny a troop or two then on to TD!!!

Welcome to the board!

tk709

08-03-2010, 10:06 AM

Guess he could always go "Heavy Weapons".

SydB1974

08-03-2010, 10:39 AM

funny enough, if and when i do a second set, it will be TD!

Marcus

08-03-2010, 01:44 PM

Greetings Doug! http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/LittleCasino/Smileys/welcomeaboard.gif http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/LittleCasino/Smileys/occasion14.gif Pardon my blindness, I see your already here!

SydB1974

08-04-2010, 07:06 PM

Armor has arrived! gonna be away from home for a couple days, so my build will probably start Sunday!

dirty tusken

08-05-2010, 12:37 AM

sweet! Now where's our pics! lol

SydB1974

08-05-2010, 11:37 AM

lol.....i did take pics of the box, the stuff in the box, and the pieces all laid out :) just didn't have time to upload

dirty tusken

08-05-2010, 03:01 PM

lol everyone does that. it's like a write of passage.

SydB1974

08-07-2010, 09:31 AM

Here are some pictures of the armor arrival and unboxing!

The glorious box from Terrel:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0896.jpg

Contents neatly packed:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0897.jpg

Everything laid out on the floor:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0898.jpg

dirty tusken

08-07-2010, 11:27 AM

awsome. now the fun part. ;)

SydB1974

08-09-2010, 01:06 AM

have started working on trimming tonight. i'll have progress pics up as i go along. hit up HobbyTown USA on the south side of Indy for some of the supplies....and Lowe's.....and Home Depot. so far i've trimmed the chest piece and given in a bit of sanding on the edges. working now on the back piece!

it's been so long since my teenage modeling days (cars and rockets)......forgot how fun it was!

SydB1974

08-09-2010, 02:29 AM

alrighty! here are some progress pics. worked on both upper chest pieces tonight....front and back. I think I did pretty well with the return edges and trimming in general. I sanded the edges with some 220 grit paper and like the results so far. Did have a bit of a slip on the back piece with my exacto up by the neck, but sanded the offending nick down. Great confidence boost on the trimming front. Goal for this week....get all the non-bucket items trimmed and sanded and start bucket after that. the bucket seems to be the most intimidating part to me......especially the ear pieces. gonna leave a lot of excess to begin with on the ears and trim/shave from there.

straight on shot of front chest piece
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0899.jpg

a side view of the front chest trim
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0900.jpg

back chest piece straight on
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0903.jpg

profile of the back chest piece
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0902.jpg

couldn't resist taping it up and putting it on!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0904.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0905.jpg

More to come and comments welcome!
Thanks!
Doug

Marcus

08-10-2010, 03:31 PM

Oh yea! Wasn't very long ago when I was taping up and trying it on! Have fun Doug and TAKE YOUR TIME!

ShockNurse

08-10-2010, 03:43 PM

Slow and steady wins the race. Good luck!

SydB1974

08-12-2010, 10:36 AM

Here are the fruits of the last couple nights of labor. a couple questions about the biceps. I know the finishing strip for each joint is supposed to be 5/8" wide. I've trimmed one of my bicep pieces down to a point where they'll fit pretty comfortably on my arm, but the joints on each side are about an inch on both sides. Is that acceptable? I haven't seen too many isolated pics of the biceps on some of the build threads on FISD to be able to judge. I may also trim down the return edge on the bottom of the bicep a bit too......it is pretty tight going across my elbow when I put it on.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0908.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0907.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0906.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0909.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0910.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0911.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0912.jpg

SydB1974

08-12-2010, 10:37 AM

oops.....for some reason the board burped.....is there a delete option?? :)

dirty tusken

08-13-2010, 07:16 PM

why is it that every time I see one of these builds I get the itch to do one myself. lol lookin good my friend,

SydB1974

08-16-2010, 12:47 AM

Here's some more pics of the latest progress from the end of this week. Worked on the second bicep and trimming the ends of the forearms. then, i started on the bucket. I feel pretty good about the cut on the eyes.....I had no idea how asymmetrical they were until i started cutting and looking at reference photos. kinda freaked me out. got the teeth cut initially, but need to get some files and clean them up a bit.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0913.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0914.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0915.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0916.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0917.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0918.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0920.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0921.jpg

ShockNurse

08-16-2010, 09:48 AM

Great progress! keep it up!

SydB1974

08-19-2010, 08:05 AM

bucket is bolted together!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0929.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0928.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0927.jpg

dirty tusken

08-19-2010, 01:42 PM

So I gotta ask even though it's not done how many times have you worn it around the house. lol

SydB1974

08-19-2010, 01:46 PM

hahaha.....a couple! had to test it out to make sure my melon has enough clearance! once i get the ears attached, gonna trim out the bottom a little more so i have plenty of space.....it's a little close right now.

i stopped into Jo-Ann's last night and picked up some E-6000, so gluing will begin soon. just need to trim/fit the shins and thighs and all the gluing can commence!

ShockNurse

08-19-2010, 04:20 PM

SydB1974

08-19-2010, 05:04 PM

Be sure to give the E-6000 about 24 hours to set. It's great, but you have to be patient and let it cure.

Yeah.....I've read plenty on FISD about application techniques and cure times. next week my clamps and rare earth magnets will be busy!

dirty tusken

08-19-2010, 05:55 PM

if you turn your helmet to the side and put it on then center it you won't catch your nose and you won't have to trim that much. give it a try. all the cool kids are doing it. ;)

SydB1974

08-21-2010, 02:37 AM

Basic assembly on the bucket is DONE!!!! Ears are attached! Ended up with a bit of a high brow, which I don't mind at all. this kit will start out as a regular Stunt kit, but may end up going Sandy in the future (next year project could be AP armor as ultimate shiny Death Star TK). The brow could almost be 'Move Along' height. Actually VERY HAPPY with the results. Finishing the basic bits of the bucket was a great way to spend the last day of my 35th year on this rock, transitioning into year 36. Here's some pics!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0934.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0933.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0932.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0931.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMG_0930.jpg

tk709

08-21-2010, 11:54 PM

That is looking really good. Looking forward to more progress pics.

Marcus

08-23-2010, 12:28 AM

Right on Doug! And a belated...

http://i47.tinypic.com/11sz52s.jpg

SydB1974

08-26-2010, 09:38 AM

vacation has had me running around the last couple days, but finally got back to the build yesterday. trimmed/fit the shins. primed the handplates yesterday. I'm using the handplates as a test for using the Rustoleum Professional High Performance Enamel before painting the bucket. Since I'm off this week, and the temps and humidity are down (especially in the mornings) it's actually perfect. I just got done priming the helmet and then painting the handplates with the enamel. After sanding the bucket, I may run another coat of primer on it, just for giggles.

SydB1974

08-27-2010, 04:30 PM

well....I went ahead and painted the bucket today. last day of optimum weather for it, since the heat and humidity is coming back tomorrow. the Rustoleum enamel really makes one heckuva shiny bucket! gonna let it sit and cure for a few days before detailing the rest of it. I kinda want to hand paint everything else on it.....traps/tears, tube stripes, and of course, the teeth and vocoder. for the traps and tears, i'm thinking about using the sticky backed vinyl to create some painting stencils.....the vinyl sheets used for painting RC cars. anyone used these before?

Marcus

08-27-2010, 04:57 PM

Haven't used the vinyl sheets however I used some RC pin striping around my ear pieces that worked out really nice.

ShockNurse

08-27-2010, 05:58 PM

Marcus

08-28-2010, 07:24 AM

Seek out "Mike/TK-4510" for all your decal needs. It takes a little bit to get them as he lives on the West Coast but you'll get them.

DECALS (http://members.cox.net/appstronaut/tk4510_decals.html)

SydB1974

08-30-2010, 10:14 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been eyeing "Mike/TK-4510's" decals and other items (how about that helmet bag!). He sells a masking template for the tube stripes, which is what I planned on getting to paint the stripes. I'm still undecided about painting the traps and tears.....so the decals will probably be my choice if I don't go the hand painted route. I'll probably do a test run of a homemade trap template using some scrap plastic (haven't thrown any out yet!) to see if i like the results.

motliek

08-30-2010, 12:55 PM

Peeps on the MEPD have been purchasing the templates and talked about the need for ones on the traps as all this has painted by hand.

SydB1974

09-22-2010, 11:55 PM

Been a little hectic around here lately (wrestling with some computer issues), but here's a progress update:

Helmet:
- Attached aerators. one is a bit wonky (pointing down) due to where the holes were drilled. thinking about re-backing the area with milliput and re-drilling
- Applied TK-4510's decals. Wow! How freaking awesome are those?!
- Put on the S-Trim and brow trim. The S-trim was a pain!

Armor:
- Primed and painted Shoulder Bells, Back, Kidney, Butt, Chest, and Ab/Cod. got a couple ripples on the Chest (straps) and on the cod, I think due to higher than optimum humidity when I painted. I should be able to sand those bits down and polish it up once the paint cures.
- Fully assembled the left bicep. didn't quite get the pieces totally flush, so will probably fill the small spaces with bondo.

Blaster:
- Ordered the requisite DoopyDoos kit and elements to do a PVC build.

Have some pix of the bucket on my cell phone, but need to take some proper pics when it's done and upload them. This thread is seriously lacking photo updates!

SydB1974

10-25-2010, 05:29 PM

quick update......

ALMOST FINISHED! Everything's painted.....started making and attaching snap plates over the weekend. gonna get the strapping done this week hopefully! The only thing I have barely started is the blaster.....too broke here at the end of the month to get a dremel.....but that will be purchased this weekend. gotta reserve my money this week for elastic, some more snaps, and some rivets and bra hooks (for shin closure)

SydB1974

11-06-2010, 01:09 AM

Well.....I think main armor assembly is DONE! Here's a few pics from the last few weeks up until tonight where I donned the full suit for the first time (sans Thermal Detonator....not quite done with it.) I still need to finish up shin closure too....trying to use the bra hook method.

I'll get more pics up when I can get someone over to take em!

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMAG0011.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMAG0047.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/IMAG0047.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/me_without_bucket.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/sydb1974/ATA%20Armor%20Build/me_with_bucket.jpg

I'm going public with the armor tomorrow......gonna root on a couple of buddies that are running the Monumental Marathon here in Indy. I figured a Stormtrooper would be easy for them to spot.

ShockNurse

11-06-2010, 10:50 AM

Hey Syd! Looks good. It looks like that right shoulder bell could be adjusted a bit, but otherwise looking great. I so, so, so appreciate that you took the time to get the ab buttons right!

SydB1974

11-06-2010, 02:33 PM

Hey Syd! Looks good. It looks like that right shoulder bell could be adjusted a bit, but otherwise looking great. I so, so, so appreciate that you took the time to get the ab buttons right!

by right, do you mean the right arm or the looking @ the pic, the one on the right (aka the left)? yeah....probably need to move my snap a bit more towards my neck.

Quick poll for other Bloodfin TK's......how many of you use velcro to close the shins?

3778

11-06-2010, 07:29 PM

I have my shins velcroed

ShockNurse

11-06-2010, 08:14 PM

by right, do you mean the right arm or the looking @ the pic, the one on the right (aka the left)? yeah....probably need to move my snap a bit more towards my neck.

Quick poll for other Bloodfin TK's......how many of you use velcro to close the shins?

Your right. :)

tk709

11-06-2010, 10:02 PM

Velcro my shins also.

motliek

11-08-2010, 11:43 AM

Velcro mine also dirty style

ShockNurse

11-08-2010, 06:22 PM

Velcro mine also dirty style

That's just sick.

motliek

11-08-2010, 08:21 PM

That's just sick.

yeah, and...

Perkeo

11-08-2010, 09:29 PM

I thought this was a family friendly forum.

Marcus

06-09-2011, 05:54 AM

Still with us Doug?

SydB1974

06-09-2011, 08:01 AM

Yep....still here! It's been a busy winter and spring, so the final elements of the TK have taken a back seat. I need to get back to it so I can finish it up and become official! I need to finish up the thermal detonator and my blaster, and redo the lenses on the bucket.

Marcus

06-17-2011, 05:50 AM

Alrighty then! Just was wonderin what happened to ya!

NorvelleJedi05

06-18-2011, 01:23 PM

Nice progress Doug.

SydB1974

09-20-2011, 01:21 AM

hey everyone! just got done watching Star Warriors on the Saga Blu Ray.........talk about reigniting fires. my last major bit to finish is the blaster.....this needs to get done. as for the rest of the armor, i need to reglue my lenses in my bucket.....and finish up the mounting for the thermal detonator canister. sooo close.......and now have a renewed vigor to make it happen. wish me luck.....plan on starting on it all this week!

Wolfman

09-20-2011, 11:29 PM

Look forward to seeing it complete.

By the way, greetings from a fellow member 1 town south of u. :)

SydB1974

10-18-2011, 10:42 PM

Thanks wolfman....Hendricks County roll call!

here's my current update......finally got rolling again on fixes/finishing the ensemble. last night, i mounted a new lens in the bucket thanks to the fine products from trooperbay.com. tonight, I'm finally putting my clips on the thermal detonator canister. tomorrow's plan....mark the drilling holes for my blaster barrel and get some velcro for the greaves/shins and put those bad boys to rest....and maybe some cleanup of the armor from the one time i wore it in public. after that, it will all be about finishing up the E-11.

i want to join up with you guys soon, even if only as a handler....learn the ropes and get a feel for a troop. would love to go to the Million Meal Marathon event as a handler at least....and target the Naptown RG event as my first official troop.