Jimmiraquois First Order Stormtrooper Build

[steamboatphan]

Hey guys, this is my first "topic" on the FISD so bear with me. I'm using tapatalk to upload pics and and links... hope to make this a pic heavy build for everyone that's getting a kit from Jim.

Disclaimer: this is my second armor build ever but I am pretty savvy when it comes to crafts and model building. I also have some experienced builders helping me along the way.

Let's get started:
Here is a link to Jim's kit: http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=245993&highlight=TFA%20armor

Here's the PDF for his instructions---------------

 

Other Items purchased:

 

Anovos standard line helmet

MTK pouches

Trooperbay belt

MO3D Printing Officer Pistol

Heston3d Solutions F11-D blaster with removable stock

Trooperbay "Jimmiraquois Decals"

Imperial Boots and Gloves

Extreme Racing Undersuit (stormtrooperundersuit.com)

on the waiting list for imperialgaskets

Ukswrath's Wireless Audio system

Ukswrath's Fan system

 

I'm probably forgetting some things, but will get to them during the build.  Supplies and Tools will be mentioned during the build as well.

I will be working with Version 3 of Jim's kit (the most current as of right now). The goal here is 501st approval for this armor, and this is one of the few casts that will qualify if assembled correctly.

I got this kit in the mail via express EMS shipping from the Philippines yesterday (4-14-16) and the box looks like they played kickball with it. Luckily, Jim is a "tetris master" and was able to pack everything nice and tight with bubble wrap. There were some minor cracks on the TD and the back/yolk and on the codpiece. but those can be easily repaired.

Here is the kit with anovos helmet and Jim's Gaskets and Armor:

Jim's

gaskets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 20, 2022 by gmrhodes13
link removed no longer working

[steamboatphan]

And here are the damaged areas:

My plan is to use CA glue to close the cracks and reinforce. Pics to come on the repairs...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Tapatalk

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[steamboatphan]

First things first... once i got the armor i couldn't resist trying on some of the pieces.... dont make the same mistake as me or else you'll have the fiberglass itch for a couple of days!  So sand down the inside of all the parts (i used 220 grit, buy you should probably go more coarse than that).  Eventually, I will be plasti-dipping the inside of all the armor.  Why? because it just looks nice!  I'm sure there is other functionality involved with doing this too.

 

After i had everything sanded down and washed off with light dish soap, I tried the armor on.... again.   I gotta say, this armor fits me like a glove.  I am a bigger guy at 6'1" size 38 waist, roughly 210 lbs.

However, this armor can be modified for anyone between 5'6" to 6'1" and waistline 32" to 45" according to jims project run thread.

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[steamboatphan]

Today I did some light sanding on the outside of the chest plate with a 220 grit sanding sponge.  i then decided to cut out the pill holes and chest "vent"

First, i took a drill and put two holes in each pill:

 

Next, I used an Xacto knife to "connect" the drill holes and used the metal file(in above pic) to achieve smooth lines:

 

 

i then used a rolled up piece of 220 grit sandpaper and smoothed the pill holes out even more.  Next was the chest vent:

 

I started with the Xacto knife, and just went for it.  very very very very slowly.  starting with a square, then adding the points on each side.  again using a combination of dremmel, sandpaper and file to get clean lines:

 

 

Front View (with Chest Vent cut out)

 

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[steamboatphan]

Last thing for the day was to mark my cut lines on the biceps and fill in half of the diamond on the biceps....

I'm using "Apoxie Sculpt" to fill in the half of the diamond.  This stuff is amazing:  its able to be handled/sculpted in a 4 hour window and dries rock hard in 24 hours.

obviously, i will sand this down with a needle file and sandpaper once it's cured

 

Here's my cut line sketch:

 

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[shadan[TK]]

Looking good mate!

[lucent262]

I also signed up for armour + gaskets and have the anovos helmet. Be interested in what paint you use and how well it matches up with the helmet.

[steamboatphan]

I also signed up for armour + gaskets and have the anovos helmet. Be interested in what paint you use and how well it matches up with the helmet.

As of right now, I think I'm going to go with the rustoleum 2x painters touch gloss white. From what I hear, anovos has stated that this is the best match to their helmet. The only downside is possible cracking due to the extreme flexibility in the ab armor. A custom paint shop would be able to spray flexible paint that would match the color, but that'll cost you a small fortune.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Tapatalk

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[steamboatphan]

I used that paint on my blaster, so I guess there's no turning back now!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Tapatalk

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[Dakari[TK]]

Great thread, Evin!  Glad you started it so that I may follow along and glean some build info before mine arrives!

[BlackFrown72]

Great thread. I am currently on the waiting list for Jim's armor so I'll be following along in hopes of learning a few things while I wait. Thanks for posting this thread and good luck!!!

[Artshot]

Subscribed and following

[steamboatphan]

updated supply list at the top

[Joey Bloodstripes[501st]]

Subscribed and following...

 

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[steamboatphan]

Had to run to Home Depot to get a must needed tool for this build.  gonna try and get the pill holes on the biceps done along with the bicep trimming done today.  Gotta take advantage of this beautiful weather and do some sanding outside today too.

[steamboatphan]

Here's a shot of the apoxie sculpt fully cured and sanded down for the bicep.  smooooth 

 

 

just block out my battle damaged fingers in these pics... lol

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[steamboatphan]

OK, so when i marked off the bicep i made the distance from my drawn line to the bottom of the bicep around 5 1/2" all the way around.  Using the cutting wheel on my dremmel, i cut along the line about 3/4 through, then cut off the rest using a hobby knife.  and remember, SAFETY FIRST:  always wear protective eyewear, respirator or face mask and gloves when cutting fiberglass.

 

It may not look like it in the pic above, but the biceps are even.  5 1/2 inches on the "armpit side"

 

the pic below is a demonstration on how flexible this kit is:

 

Edited April 16, 2016 by steamboatphan

[ask382]

Looking good so far

[Tiedoll]

Keep it up ✌️

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TK3645]

Great work Evin....I too am waiting for the V3 kit....I'm hoping to start my build at the end of May so I'll be following your thread closely. 

[Dynamic1[501st]]

Looking good....I completed the same pieces today lol

 

 

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[steamboatphan]

Ok... I was dreading this part because there is no real measurement on where the bicep pill holes go.  here is the CRL of them on 501st.com

 

It seems to me that the pill holes aren't quite centered in the middle of the bicep.  I also noticed that the pill holes are parallel to the greeblie.

 

I ended up using the trooperbay decals as a template for the holes:

 

 

Then, I drilled out two holes in each pill, just like the chest plate:

 

 

 

using a needle file, i filled out the pill holes,

And there you have it!  Biceps are done and ready for primer!!

 

[Dakari[TK]]

Looking good, Evin.  Between your and Ukswrath's thread it makes for some excellent build tips! 

[fn32940[501st]]

This thread will be so helpful to me. I am on the list but haven't been certain on the fiberglass. So I'll follow intently.

[Tiedoll]

This thread will be so helpful to me. I am on the list but haven't been certain on the fiberglass. So I'll follow intently.

It's a fiber glass and resin mixture with a rubber quality to it. As such e6000 doesn't work as well as CA glue and epoxy to repair cracked pieces of the kit.