My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack and T-21 Blaster (Lewis Gun)

[azheat]

Been wanting to do a Sandtrooper for quite some time, now that I have another set of armor coming I wanted to start on the backpack this weekend. I'm borrowing a few tips from the numerous other builds out there and adding a few of my own. I'd like to keep my budget around $100. Not going for screen accuracy, so you die hards should shield your eyes now.

Here's the pile of stuff I'm starting with.

I had a hard time deciding on all the boxes, it was the most difficult part of this. I looked everywhere for seed trays, battery boxes, etc, but couldn't find anything I liked. I settled on this for the radio:

When I was at Lowe's this irrigation timer caught my eye; I thought it could work. I got it on clearance for $9 because the bottom housing was cracked. I didn't mind since I was removing that part anyway. I figured it had a working LCD, buttons, and a rotating dial, so why not.

I removed the bottom housing and cut out a portion of the lid.

I got a real nice fit and secured it with some industrial strength Velcro. The LCD runs on a battery, so I didn't want to permanently mount this because I needed a way to remove it to change the battery. I also like how the lid secures to the storage box, I think it will look great once painted.

For the speaker I requisitioned a lid from a can of bread crumbs. I also bought a shower drain cover. I cut up an old black sock and used that between the shower drain cover and lid, then mounted it.

I also bought a few odds and ends from the hardware aisle like axle nuts and plugs and added two to the bottom.

I added three chrome LED holders and a switch to the bottom to activate them. I'll put the lights in after I paint this.

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

I picked up a toilet fill valve to use with the plunger for the lower right piece. I disassembled the valve and removed many of the inner pieces.

I cut a hole in the side to add some PVC pipe.

Cut the top of the handle off the plunger and attached it to the valve assembly. I also used a Kool-Aide container for the bottom of the plunger.

I added two mounting screws to the back of the valve and a switch. I am going to put a single LED in the clear cap at the bottom of the left hand side PVC pipe. I may shorten that left side pipe by about 6".

 

[idahorandom]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

WOW!
Loving this build, keep going!

IR

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Thanks Idaho..........I started on the upper right hand detail piece today. I bought a standard sprinkler head for $1.48, disassembled it, removed the spring, and permanently affixed the head a few inches above the body.

I bought a small elbow joint and epoxied a bolt inside so I could mount it to the side of the sprinkler body. I also got a small 1/2" threaded piece of PVC pipe and added two rubber washers to the threads.

Also got a washing machine hose and removed the end that had the rubber fitting. I then put one end of the hose into the PVC pipe and screwed it into the bottom of the sprinkler body.

I had an old RC helicopter remote and decided to take it apart; I wanted to use the antenna and antenna nut.

I bought a bunch of nylon washers and spacers and added some details to the antenna. It looked too plain by itself.

I mounted the antenna nut inside the elbow piece so I can take the antenna on and off if needed. Now I can raise and lower the antenna; thought it would add a little extra.

I used a PVC clamp piece and forced it over the sprinkler body, it was a perfect fit. I then epoxied two bolts to the threaded end of the clamp so it could be bolted to the main backpack.

I am hoping to complete the other pieces over the next day or so, really want to start painting these to tie everything together!

 

[division 6]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Looking good so far.

When my friends and I did ours we hit all the local thrift stores (second hand) for baking pans and Tupperware containers.
We used ALICE pack frames to hold everything.

Your plastic tubs and tubing will be much lighter, I think my pack is in the 40lb range. :facepalm

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Looking good so far.

When my friends and I did ours we hit all the local thrift stores (second hand) for baking pans and Tupperware containers.
We used ALICE pack frames to hold everything.

Your plastic tubs and tubing will be much lighter, I think my pack is in the 40lb range. :facepalm

I thought about using a pack frame, but since I wanted to save money and keep it light I'm going to make one out of PVC pipe. Plus I won't be wearing this that much, it'll spend most of the time on the mannequin display!

 

[division 6]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Originally we picked up old boyscout pack frames for about $2 each but went with the heavy duty ALICE frames instead.
Wearing that much weight kills the shoulders after a few hours so going light is a good idea.
Mine also has a real radio (not correct model) on it that is heavy, was planning to use it as a PA system.

I used PVC grey electrical tubing (because of the rounded corners) for my Endor Commando pack frame.
Sealed the edges with "steel" plumbers putty.
I was never able to track down the ones used in the films.

Might want to look into adding a small hydration bladder (Camelbak, etc) for long paroles in hot weather.
I have a small platypus bag on the bottom of mine.

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Might want to look into adding a small hydration bladder (Camelbak, etc) for long paroles in hot weather.
I have a small platypus bag on the bottom of mine.

That's a good idea, I have plenty of space in the main cases.

I was able to finish my interpretation of the upper left hand case. I found these two storage boxes at Walmart for 1.00 each.

I took the bottom of one and glued it on top of the lid of the other. I then epoxied some mounting bolts through the back.

I bought a replacement door bell ringer and removed everything but the button. I added two strong magnets to the back so I could easily attach / remove it since I'm going to add LEDs to this as well.

I added some more odds and ends to replicate switches, buttons, etc.

I also added another chrome LED holder to the bottom right side. I'm going to put one there and a couple LEDs in the door bell ringer.

It's can used as a functional storage space with easy access. Just need to add a switch, then start painting.

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Quickly finished the top center tube today. I used an empty disinfectant wipe bottle and PVC pipe to mount it. The top is just a dollar store storage bowl that I supported with some makeshift spacers.

I loosely placed the parts on top of the boxes just to get an idea. I'll definitely be shortening the pipe to the left of the plunger, and I may shorten the top middle bottle.

 

[bobafettsslave1]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

looking good,

 

[Fuzzual]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Absolutely love it!

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Thanks!

I was finally able to get paint on some of these parts, it really ties everything together. I ended up shortening the top, center bottle and also the pipe to the left of the plunger. I think it looks much better. I'm also going to move the top center bottle just a bit to the right. I know the gray parts are actually a light blue, but I like them gray better.

I also built my version of an exhaust port for the bottom of the lower container. I started with a 4" threaded drain pipe piece and a funnel from the dollar store.

I bought a bracket that was just slightly bigger than the inner diameter of the pipe, then notched out two grooves with a Dremel tool. I was able to force the bracket into the notches, and then secure them with a little glue for extra strength. I also added two bolts so I could mount this to the container.

I inverted the funnel and mounted it to a piece of foam board that I cut out. Then I mounted the foam board inside the pipe, with the skinny end of the funnel stuck up against the metal bracket.

I painted the funnel gray and the pipe black to match the other pieces. I'm pretty happy with how this is coming along.

 

[FordPrefect]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Looking great !

 

[division 6]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Model Masters Insignia blue is what we used for the blue-grey. (comes in rattle can)
Testors 1163 has a slight blue look as well.

we used Testors 1138 (ironically) for the grey on our helmets and other details.

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Model Masters Insignia blue is what we used for the blue-grey. (comes in rattle can)
Testors 1163 has a slight blue look as well.

we used Testors 1138 (ironically) for the grey on our helmets and other details.

Very nice, thanks! If I ever end up wanting to repaint this I'll give it a try.

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

I used some simple 3" drain pipe for the right side tube detail. I still need to find some white ends; I didn't really like the standard plumbing caps. I mounted some bolts to the inside to secure this to the boxes.

Nothing extraordinary here, just some PVC pipe for the pack frame. I decided not to angle the bottom half.

Got the LEDs installed on the radio; the green is steady, red is steady, and the yellow blinks. I'll likely try and dull these down a bit with a little wash of black acrylic paint.

Also added LEDs to the upper left hand box. The red center one blinks and the top and bottom are steady red. The one below the switch is steady orange. I'll use some acrylic paint on the doorbell switch just so it doesn't look so white.

For the plunger assembly I added two steady red LEDs and suspended them just above the bottom of the clear capsule with some hot glue.

The great thing about the LEDs is that each unit is independently operated; they each have a 9V battery and switch.

 

[grenater]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

i love it man its awesome really... i suppose you have sandtrooper armor to go with it? or do you have tk armor that you are going to weather.

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Really, really clever -great build. I'm looking forward to your next update.

 

[azheat]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

Thanks guys, appreciate the comments.

I was able to get the main boxes painted and clear coated, and finally added all the attachments (minus the right side tube, still need to get caps for that). Also made sure the LEDs worked and added a few to the right side shells. I'm just about ready to mount these to the frame. Here's a few shots and some video of the LEDs (sorry, the camera distorted some of the photos). I'm real pleased with how this is turning out.

 

[evilchiken469]

Re: My Scratch Built Sandtrooper Backpack

this is awesome man. love all the odd common bits and bobs wouldn't even have a guess as to what went into it from just looking at the finished product. Fantastic work