Stormtrooper start to finish
- Thread starter Clutch
- Start date
hey clutch nice job on the armor.i remember reading a post that i think was writtin by you about sanding your caboots to remove the gloss,could you or any one tell me what grit sandpaper to use and any tips on sanding them.thanks for any help you can give me, dave
Stormtrooper
Well-Known Member
Nice work Clutch - looks good so far 
A word of caution though - don't rush the helmet... it's the most important part of the costume IMO and I know from previous experience it's easy to get carried away and do something that you later regret....
What's with the handplates BTW? They look kinda BIG ???
Cheers,
John
A word of caution though - don't rush the helmet... it's the most important part of the costume IMO and I know from previous experience it's easy to get carried away and do something that you later regret....
What's with the handplates BTW? They look kinda BIG ???
Cheers,
John
troopermaster
Well-Known Member
Hey clutch,don't tease us with this blurry pic man.
Clutch
Master Member
Thanks Dave. About the boots:
Just use a medium-grade of sandpaper. I keep meaning to look and see what the exact grit is, but I keep forgetting. I have one of those assortment packs. Just start with the highest grit and test in an inconspicuous spot. If it's not dulling down quick enough, then move on to the next grit. You just don't want something so coarse that it will leave deep scratches. Sanding will also bring out darker spots from the underlying structure of the boot, so use caution. For example, a line started forming around the toe area. You can also hit them with dull coat or some flat white paint. The real boots always seemed to beat to hell, so I wouldn't worry about being neat. Once they are dulled down, hit them with the soles to give them some good scuff marks.
Thanks John. About the handplates:
They are the same size as all the other GF's. I think blurring the pic made them look extra large. I also have skinny forearms, so those pieces may be pulled together more than they should. And the helmet is finished. Again, the filter I used obliterated the details.
ANHT, I couldn't show you a half-finished suit, now could I?
Progress report: I'm working with the thermal detonator now. Gorilla glue does not seem to be holding the clips on, so I am going to bolt the clips to the cannister. I have also realized that I will need to move my ROM FX board to my chest area. This is because once the arms are on, I cannot reach behind my head to operate it. Duh.
Just use a medium-grade of sandpaper. I keep meaning to look and see what the exact grit is, but I keep forgetting. I have one of those assortment packs. Just start with the highest grit and test in an inconspicuous spot. If it's not dulling down quick enough, then move on to the next grit. You just don't want something so coarse that it will leave deep scratches. Sanding will also bring out darker spots from the underlying structure of the boot, so use caution. For example, a line started forming around the toe area. You can also hit them with dull coat or some flat white paint. The real boots always seemed to beat to hell, so I wouldn't worry about being neat. Once they are dulled down, hit them with the soles to give them some good scuff marks.
Thanks John. About the handplates:
They are the same size as all the other GF's. I think blurring the pic made them look extra large. I also have skinny forearms, so those pieces may be pulled together more than they should. And the helmet is finished. Again, the filter I used obliterated the details.
ANHT, I couldn't show you a half-finished suit, now could I?
Progress report: I'm working with the thermal detonator now. Gorilla glue does not seem to be holding the clips on, so I am going to bolt the clips to the cannister. I have also realized that I will need to move my ROM FX board to my chest area. This is because once the arms are on, I cannot reach behind my head to operate it. Duh.
Tambo Fett
Well-Known Member
I've got some nice pics of Clutch at our Local 501st DVD release event...should I post? or should I let clutch? Never the less the suit is very nice in person he is a perfect trooper. Thanks for selling me your other helmet brother.
Clutch
Master Member
Thanks Goldenrod. How does it feel emotion-wise or costume-wise? Lol.. I'll answer both ways.
It is a definite high to be suited up in public. You feel larger than life. It's a great feeling to feel a child tug on your finger and ask you if your blaster is real. It's a great feeling to have someone ask you to say something to their friend on the other end of a cellphone because you sound like a Stormtrooper. The click of my boots on pavement sounds awesome. Probably the closest I'll ever come to being a 'rock star'. Lol.
The suit itself isn't as bad as I was guessing. The worst part, believe it or not is the neckseal. Not that it is uncomfortable, but the suit is hot enough to begin with. Covering my neck seems to add a few hundred degrees for some reason. I've put the suit on enough times during the construction that it is second nature now. It is still a hassle putting the helmet on and taking it off because of the wiring situation. I'm still working the bugs out (pics soon).
It is a definite high to be suited up in public. You feel larger than life. It's a great feeling to feel a child tug on your finger and ask you if your blaster is real. It's a great feeling to have someone ask you to say something to their friend on the other end of a cellphone because you sound like a Stormtrooper. The click of my boots on pavement sounds awesome. Probably the closest I'll ever come to being a 'rock star'. Lol.
The suit itself isn't as bad as I was guessing. The worst part, believe it or not is the neckseal. Not that it is uncomfortable, but the suit is hot enough to begin with. Covering my neck seems to add a few hundred degrees for some reason. I've put the suit on enough times during the construction that it is second nature now. It is still a hassle putting the helmet on and taking it off because of the wiring situation. I'm still working the bugs out (pics soon).
Goldenrod
Sr Member
thats exactly what i meant
Theres these little things you can get called cool-danas or something like that. They look like a a bandana but have a coolling liquid inside,and it stays cool and flexible when worn. What i do is put it down low around my neck under the neckseal flap and it makes a big difference in temperature. Or you can mount one with velcor inside the top of your helmet i've heard. I also velcroed one inside the backplate for extra cooling. Because when i lived in Florida you really needed that extra something to keep you from passing out. And drink lots of water when doing long troops. Its good that you can get in and out of your suit with no help for those dreaded bathroom breaks :lol Usaully after a long day of trooping i look like a junky from the armor pinching me. I have trimmed it but still need to do more to it. If this is your first you soon learn what needs to be tweaked.Get you some Dr.schols gel inserts for your boots.
-Goldenrod
Theres these little things you can get called cool-danas or something like that. They look like a a bandana but have a coolling liquid inside,and it stays cool and flexible when worn. What i do is put it down low around my neck under the neckseal flap and it makes a big difference in temperature. Or you can mount one with velcor inside the top of your helmet i've heard. I also velcroed one inside the backplate for extra cooling. Because when i lived in Florida you really needed that extra something to keep you from passing out. And drink lots of water when doing long troops. Its good that you can get in and out of your suit with no help for those dreaded bathroom breaks :lol Usaully after a long day of trooping i look like a junky from the armor pinching me. I have trimmed it but still need to do more to it. If this is your first you soon learn what needs to be tweaked.Get you some Dr.schols gel inserts for your boots.
-Goldenrod
Luke Warmwater
Sr Member
Hey Goldenrod, I got some killer trooper tracks on my arms from your armor pinching me last weekend. It wasn't the only pinching I got, either. Hurts so good.
Go troopin' with a painted hasbro blaster and you'll have all the scuffs you'll ever need.
Tambo Fett
Well-Known Member
Clutch welcome to the 501st and the Southern Outpost TK2827. Just got you approved...see you trooping soon.
