Pepakura Stormtrooper suits - files and pitfalls

[d503364]

exterior of helmet is finished! I am working on getting the inside of it to fit more comfortably
I am going to refit the lenses so they are green tinted but it is wearable and not to brag, but I think pretty darn good!

Now I am going to fully focus on the upper body armor.

 

[Blaxmyth]

I'm thrilled to see the progress in this epic build.

 

[d503364]

Hello everyone.
I have the hand plates pepped and ready to paint but I am wondering what type of gloves are suggested to use with them?
My plan is to glue black elastic on either side of the hand plate then just slide my hand through that to keep the plate on.

 

[Blaxmyth]

I used some black gloves from the local hardware store. Lightweight, with vinyl on the palms and fingers.
I use elastic to hold the hand plates on. One piece around the wrist and another piece around my two middle fingers. The handplate is held securely and can't go anywhere.

 

[d503364]

I set a goal to have the entire upper body of my stormtrooper done by Aug 31st and I am finishing the sanding on the lower ab/cod pieces.
So they may not all be painted, but should be by the end of the weekend.

 

[Blaxmyth]

The outfit is looking great! Keep at it - you're almost there. Looking forward to seeing more pics.

 

[d503364]

Any suggestions on what to do about the edges of the pieces of armor like the cod, shoulders and biceps? I sanded and painted but they are still pretty ugly.
I know for the chest and back plates Blaxmyth use white trim. Is this a possibility to improve the edges on the other pieces?

 

[Blaxmyth]

I bought some door edge trim from AliExpress for a few dollars. It has a glue strip inside, with a ribbon tape which pulls away from the glue and allows the trim to stick to the edge of a door. Might be worth a shot?

 

[d503364]

latest progress.
Realizing this thing is going to be challenging to put on and wear!
In the Star Wars world, stormtroopers must have never taken their armor off once they got it on.

 

[Blaxmyth]

Ah, yes... Armour bite, not being able to sit down easily, limited range of arm movement... Fibreglass armour does have a few drawbacks, but it looks and sounds so solid!

 

[d503364]

I am looking at shoes to go along with the stormtrooper armor and see some options to buy the white ones similar or exactly like the movie versions.
My issue with them is that I am concerned how painful these shoes could become after walking in them for a while.
Any suggestions on how to make walking shoes look somewhat passable for stormtrooper boots? Maybe some kind of custom cover?
I know it would be probably be ugly but I am not looking at something that passes 501st inspection.

 

[Blaxmyth]

We have various cheap versions of the Chelsea boot available in discount shoe stores here in New Zealand. I imagine they're available in most countries. They have a hard sole, but they're no problem to walk in. I've done several 11km (5 mile) troops without any more problems than your average 65-year-old.

 

[d503364]

Thanks. I will check out some discount stores here and see what i find.

 

[d503364]

Hello.
Question about thigh armor: is rondo sufficient to put inside or fiberglass necessary?

 

[Blaxmyth]

I think fibreglass will give the thighs the strength to resist cracking and chipping. I'd certainly recommend it.

 

[d503364]

Thanks mate.
I appreciate the advice.

 

[Blaxmyth]

Hey, looks great!

 

[d503364]

I am going to build my own thermal detonator canister with 2" cardboard mailing tube but I do not know what to do about the clips that attach to the belt.
Any suggestions?

 

[Blaxmyth]

I took the easy way out and didn't have a detonator canister, mainly because I heard that they were prone to being pinched if they were not rivetted on securely. After my first few troops I figured this was good advice!

 

[d503364]

Very close now. Thighs are pepp'd, glassed, bondo'd, and 1 of the 2 are painted. Those took quite a bit of trimming, including having to cut open one side to expand it then add white elastic between the pieces so my legs could fit through.

Working through any kinks now too where velcro comes unattached as I walk around.