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Hey guys! So excited to join this group of passionate and imaginative people, the stuff some of you guys are doing is super inspiring. I decided after some searching around to give making my own neck seal a try, I think it came out okay, considering the whole thing costs about $10 to make. Please let me know what you think, I'd love any feedback. First I went to Home Depot and picked up a package of this stuff: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-E-O-5-16-in-x-1-4-in-x-17-ft-Black-EPDM-Cellular-Rubber-Weatherstrip-Tape-V25BK/202844545 It's great because it's got two round 'tubes' per strip, with adhesive on the back. I then went on a half day long search for a black turtleneck, to no avail. Who knew finding turtlenecks was actually really difficult? Hmmh. So then I had the idea that maybe the arm of a T-shirt would fit over my head! Turns out a 2XL worked pretty damn well. So I cut the sleeve off from the shirt, leaving some material that I could tuck inside my compression shirt later. Once I had the weatherstrip and the shirt material, I simply removed the adhesive backing and started applying the strips in rows to the sleeve. Surprisingly the weatherstrip stuck really well to the shirt and I didn't have to use additional adhesive. I butted the rows up against each other and cut them with a razor blade. I decided to do four strips, giving me eight tubes. For me this fit nicely up against my chin, and gave me enough room around my neck that it didn't choke or rub against my adams apple. You could adjust this to your preference, obviously. Once I had all the strips installed and trimmed, I cut a slit down the sleeve where the tubes met. This is necessary so you can actually get your head through. Go down only as far as you need to get your head through. Then I e6000'd velcro pieces over the ends of the tubes, which both cleaned up the edges and mated the strips to the fabric, keeping them from separating over time. I wasn't sure how this would look but if you look at some photos of Han in ANH, you can clearly see a velcro or similar closure on his seal. For now it's okay, I may revisit/clean this up eventually. My only little gripe is that maybe the tubes themselves are a little too thick, I'm currently looking for a thinner version of this weatherstrip. What do you guys think? All in all this seal took about an hour to make, and again cost about $10 so even despite some minor issues I think it's a worthwhile build.

Research until you care. The standards of the 501st are such that if you don't care about the costume you are building, it is unlikely you will be successful with approval. There are no shortcuts or easy answers, at least not cheap or fast ones. All of the resources are available to help you on your journey, just depending on what you need. But we can't tell you what you want.

This is critical to understand - pick two. If you're looking for quality, it is going to cost you. This is not an inexpensive hobby but by doing thorough research (the slow route), you can help ensure you are happy with your purchase. First decide what type of Stormtrooper you want to build, as there are several available. The overwhelming majority of our members are A New Hope Stunt style stormtroopers and the most resources and options exist for that kit. Have a look at the makers available in the US, as they are all very very different. I am personally not a fan of 850 Armor Works quality or accuracy for the Rogue One/New Gen style suits.

Thanks team! Appreciate all the great advice from you all. Have a nice Memorial Day weekend.

Don't get me wrong, some bubble lenses are just fine to see through. But the curved shape creates distortion that makes them objectively harder to see through than flat stunt lenses. The difference in the teeth in addition to the ears usually prevents reasonable crossover between Stunt and Hero these days but it can be done. TM has been accused of recasting CfO's work with evidence and largely fallen from grace in the community of late, in addition to being based out of the UK, and I don't think TE2 is still offered, but several makers have recast it - some with permission and some not.

WOWSERS!... I never knew this existed. that's awesome. I'm not to found of the next seal (fat kid issues) hahaha I think imma make one and see how it goes. I'll definitely keep you in the loop. thanks again. Tk. 45001

Please let me know if there are any additional photos needed!

@MaskedVengeance Thank you! Crazy to think two months ago I knew nothing about TKs. I agree and they should be easy changes relative to everything I’ve done so far

55. 2024-05-22, Akademiska sjukhuset (The Academic Hospital), Uppsala (Hero) I love that we have been doing more of the hospital troops lately! As per usual, it was amazing and we did a lot of good today, I felt it in my soul! I also need to order more trading cards, as the 250 that I ordered of my 2nd card variant disappeared into the hands of the people quicker than ever! This was the 7th troop this month, been crazy busy and I love it! Things are not always what they seem It was an honor to be there for TK 17229's first troop ever!!!

Shoveling coins into little boxes and padded envelopes is more like it.

Thats a link to your garrison forum, you need your legion profile link, instructions in the first post of this thread how to find it.

Well done, sir! If you did that in only four weeks that is truly amazing! I see no reason why you can't get to Centurion with just some minor tweaks. Really digging your perfect alignment of the ear screws on the right side of your helmet with the rear edge of the trap on that side! I'll let the DO provide the official feedback, but they'll likely mention missing thin elastic straps on the rear shoulder bridges, removing the last large tab on the rear of the bridges, adding the Han snap to your ab piece, raising your belt so the plastic is barely touching the bottom painted ab button, pushing your drop boxes out just a tiny bit to the ends of the plastic belt, and addressing the rear thigh butt-joint seams. Don't worry, the DOs or others can will provide some reference photos. But man, really good job, and you'll have your EI and Centurion certificates (and that shiny new gold EI coin!) in no time!

[69] 5/21/24 Special request from George Marks house San Leandro, CA This was a tough one didn’t take many pics due to the nature of the troop

Of course! Please let me know if there is anything else the team needs!

Troop #53 Riverside Museum day 2 Another pleasant troop at the museum today. We also had a new inductee join the Garrison as a Biker Scout.

So, the armor now has gold leaf. Last time clearcoat, then done. Helmet is also in printing, will be gold leafed too.

Alright. I’m committing to this. I changed my build thread to reflect it. If I can get a mod to move my build thread to the appropriate section I’d be grateful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk