TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [SHINY!]

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Finally finding the time to finish up the armor before the spring semester begins... I know these aren't the greatest pics (I took 'em with my crappy MacBook cam cause I don't have anyone to take good pics for me right now), and they're not even really post-worthy, but I'm too giddy with excitement not to post anything.

After spending so much time trimming and sanding the parts, the gluing is actually flying by! Didn't realize it would be so quick-going after the trimming part.

This first one is rigged with some white gaffer tape I had lying around. Just for test-fitting the upper body armor...

Here's one with chest and helmet.

Happy New Year to everyone on the board!
Cheers,
-Roger

 

[KevVader]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Good job!

Fun...ain't it! Mine is making slow, painful progress as well...

I'll have to update my neverending build thread!

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

That's great, KevVader! Mine's been a painful ride, too, but unfortunately I've got an early-February deadline! I'll be looking for a suitable mannequin soon enough, too...

Quick question for trooper experts out there, though... When dealing with the forearms, is it more accurate to glue one end and velcro the other? I've been pouring over Clutch's buildup thread for the last couple of months, and I know he's used velcro on his GF, but what's most accurate to the film? Thing is, I have large hands, but they're thin enough to squeeze through the smaller forearm opening without too much of a problem at all, and I'd rather the forearm look "neater" all sealed up with glue (instead of one side glued/one side velcro-ed). I want to hold off on gluing the second edge together until I get some feedback from you guys, though.

Thanks again, KevVader!
Cheers,
-Roger

 

[KevVader]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

As afar as what's more accurate....I'm not sure. I'm sure that there are others more qualified to answer what's more screen accurate. However, from a practical wearability perspective, I would glue the front edge and vecro the back. Makes it easier to get on/off and leaves you a bit of adjustability.

 

[troopermaster]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Glue all seams except the back of the shins. I beleive the shins had some kind of closing system at the back. I am not totally sure what it was, but maybe some kind of hook and eye. I have seen evidence of something there in some of the HD screen caps plus, in the making of StarWars, a trooper is seen having something tied at his ankles.

If you having trouble getting your hands through the forearms, trim off the flash as there is no need for it really. Most, if not all of the troopers in ANH didn't have any as far as I can tell. I don't have any on my forearms and it makes slipping them on so much easier.

 

[giric thren]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Finally finding the time to finish up the armor before the spring semester begins... I know these aren't the greatest pics (I took 'em with my crappy MacBook cam cause I don't have anyone to take good pics for me right now), and they're not even really post-worthy, but I'm too giddy with excitement not to post anything.

After spending so much time trimming and sanding the parts, the gluing is actually flying by! Didn't realize it would be so quick-going after the trimming part.

This first one is rigged with some white gaffer tape I had lying around. Just for test-fitting the upper body armor...

Here's one with chest and helmet.

Happy New Year to everyone on the board!
Cheers,
-Roger

i have a question. on the first picture is it reversed? because the buttons on the vertical rectangle is on the wrong side

 

[Clutch]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Good eye! Looking good so far!

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Thanks fellas,

Exceedingly helpful as always! I've trimmed off the flash from the forearms and sealed 'em up all around, and JUST finished up the second shin armor a few minutes ago (I kept the backs open on the shins and I'll be installing some industrial strength velcro). Just have the thighs and the belt to go! It's the home stretch...

And as for the pics, yes. They're both reversed. Silly MacBook cam. I didn't think to reverse 'em before posting them in the thread. Sorry!

Thanks again for the advice/compliments, guys.:thumbsup I'll most likely be posting some more progress pics and questions as I get ready to wrap this guy up.

Cheers, and Happy New Year!
-Roger

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Fellas,

I've spent the last couple of days finishing and tweaking the strap and snap system for holding up my GF armor. I have one problem, though... In most pics I've seen from ANH (screen grabs/promotional stuff/etc) the front edge of the shoulder bells looks to be almost flush against the chest plate. I have average shoulders, not too big or anything, but I can't seem to get the shoulder bell to attach as closely to my arm as possible. I've tried shortening the straps that connect the top of the shoulder bell to the shoulder strap and tightening the strap attached to the bell that wraps around the bicep, but that didn't seem to help. Is there any trick to gettin' it tighter? I'll post pics to better explain myself in a few minutes here... just waiting for a friend to e-mail 'em to me.

Lemme know if you guys have any suggestions, and thanks in advance!
-Roger

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit!

Here are the pics... I'm talking about the gap between the shoulder bells and the chest plate. Please ignore my right shoulder bell as the snap had just come undone and it's just kinda hangin'.

I think I can live with the gap if there's nothing to do about it, but I'd like to shrink it down as much as possible. I have seen moments in the film where the gap is almost as wide, but "eh..." What are you thoughts, guys? Any pointers?

Cheers!
-Rogelio

 

[troopermaster]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

I think the problem is that the GF shoulder bells are smaller then the original ANH.

I would try shortening the strap even more so that the shoulder bell tucks under the shoulder straps a bitlike in the comparison. Might help..I don't know. You could always add another strap from the side of the chest plate to the shoulder bell to keep it closer? Just a thought

 

[Clutch]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

They don't look like they are hanging at all. Like the one on your right doesn't look connected at the top. Do you have straps at the tops of the bells that connect to shoulder straps? Have you tried flaring the bells out some if they are a tight fit on your shoulder? Looks like you could move the bicep pieces up a bit.

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

I think the problem is that the GF shoulder bells are smaller then the original ANH.

I would try shortening the strap even more so that the shoulder bell tucks under the shoulder straps a bitlike in the comparison. Might help..I don't know. You could always add another strap from the side of the chest plate to the shoulder bell to keep it closer? Just a thought

They don't look like they are hanging at all. Like the one on your right doesn't look connected at the top. Do you have straps at the tops of the bells that connect to shoulder straps? Have you tried flaring the bells out some if they are a tight fit on your shoulder? Looks like you could move the bicep pieces up a bit.

Thanks fellas. Clutch, what I meant to say is that the only thing holding up my right shoulder bell was the elastic that wraps around the bicep. It is disconnected at the top, and there is a snap underneath the shoulder strap. The elastic strap that connects the top of the shoulder bell to the shoulder strap I had to lengthen a bit. I did originally have it short enough to make the top of the bells slide underneath the strap a bit, but the snaps would pop open if I raised my arms too high. The elastic was getting pulled too tight. I woke up this morning thinking the same thing as you guys, actually. The biceps should be moved up a bit, but how could I go about flaring the shoulder bells to make 'em wider? Would an average hair drier heat up the plastic enough to bend it? I'd be afraid to use a real heat gun and accidentally warp the crap out of the bells. Thanks for the comments guys... I'm so close to finishing up. I just want it to be as good as possible.

Cheers!
-Roger

 

[Bigturc]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

Roger,

I have exactly the same gaps on my AP suit (same lineage), I'm 6'3" 190lbs and not really broad at the shoulders but still way out of range for the screen cast (+- 5'10" 160lbs!!!). I'm snapped on top of the shoulder, with elastic at the bicept too...

I figure some day, I'll flare them with the hair dryer, that's exactly what I've done to curve my shoulder straps and it worked great. Just turned them around some cylinder shape and warm them, then, removed them from the cylinders and that was it!

You can check my suit pics here:
http://www.pbase.com/bigturc/stormtrooper

Cheers, Al

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

Roger,

I have exactly the same gaps on my AP suit (same lineage), I'm 6'3" 190lbs and not really broad at the shoulders but still way out of range for the screen cast (+- 5'10" 160lbs!!!). I'm snapped on top of the shoulder, with elastic at the bicept too...

I figure some day, I'll flare them with the hair dryer, that's exactly what I've done to curve my shoulder straps and it worked great. Just turned them around some cylinder shape and warm them, then, removed them from the cylinders and that was it!

You can check my suit pics here:
http://www.pbase.com/bigturc/stormtrooper

Cheers, Al

Bigturc,

That is a beautiful set of armor, man. :thumbsup Thanks for the suggestions. I'm 5'11" and 185. Strangely enough, I was going over some pics of my very first suiting up "test" a few days ago (a photographer friend of mine wanted to take some pics) and with the armor as it stands now, the right shoulder bell (un-snapped, unfortunately, in the comparison pic I've posted previously) sits just as I'd want it to. The gap was gone! I just have to figure out what the heck I did to make it that way and replicate it for the left shoulder... trial and error, baby! Trial and error! In all honesty this has been an amazingly fun and satisfying project and I'm glad I was able to get a set of GF armor a year and a half back... It's been a long while in the making.

I'll post some nice big pics once I've got the suit down to my liking.

Cheers! And thanks for the helpful comments, guys. I love the RPF!
-R

 

[troopermaster]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

Do you have one long strap going down to the bicep and the shoulder bell connects above?

That could be your problem. When I assemble a suit, I put two straps that connect under the shoulder straps (via an inner strap). The two straps are held together with a snap and each strap connects seperately to the bell and bicep. That way, the biceps are not pulling on the shoulder bells and lets them stay where you want them.

Heating and reshaping will definately help too! If the bottom of your shoulder bells are narrower than your biceps, then they will be forced outwards or at least move as they need to be wider than the biceps really.

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

Do you have one long strap going down to the bicep and the shoulder bell connects above?

That could be your problem. When I assemble a suit, I put two straps that connect under the shoulder straps (via an inner strap). The two straps are held together with a snap and each strap connects seperately to the bell and bicep. That way, the biceps are not pulling on the shoulder bells and lets them stay where you want them.

Heating and reshaping will definately help too! If the bottom of your shoulder bells are narrower than your biceps, then they will be forced outwards or at least move as they need to be wider than the biceps really.

Heya TrooperMaster,

I don't think I'm following you entirely... Here's how I have the upper arms set up for the time being. The strap going off to the side is attached to the shoulder bell and wraps around the bicep. Took it off for the sake of clarity in the picture.

Is this wrong? I'm thinking that maybe I placed the female snap button for the bicep too low on the shoulder bell? What do you think?

Thanks again for all the help guys!
-Roger

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

Trooped for the first time this weekend at Ikki-Con here in Austin, TX. This is the best pic I found so far in my friend's series of photos. I'll most likely post more as she sends 'em to me. All together not as uncomfortable as I thought I'd be. Pretty enjoyable experience. Plus the gap between the chest plate and shoulder bells that we were previously discussing in this thread aren't as bad as I thought they were gonna be. Here's a pic.

Not as clear a pic as I would have liked, but hopefully I'll have more to share soon. Lemme know what you guys think. Adjustment suggestions?

Cheers!
-Roger

 

[Clutch]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

Dude, there's nothing wrong with it. Looks great! That's about the same amount of gap I have with mine.

 

[WilliamsSkeletor]

Re: TK Armor builders! HELP with GF kit! [NEW PICS]

Dude, there's nothing wrong with it. Looks great! That's about the same amount of gap I have with mine.

Thanks, Clutch! :thumbsup I had a blast wearing it, and it was probably the most rewarding thing I've done in a while (putting it together, I mean)... problem now is that I'm a little listless, having spent all my free time outside of school working on the suit for the last month-and-a-half and now being totally done. Ha! :unsure I need a new project, I think...

Cheers!
-Roger