darthanael

TK-12207 requesting 501st access. Link below. Thanks! http://www.501st.com/members/displaymember.php?userID=26383&costumeID=124

So I'm uber close to taking my submission photos. Just sent my application in for the 501st membership. Been in contact with my GML. The build is almost complete! Just need to finalize some TrooperTalk details and install my fans (which I finally got a switch for). Wanted to share some photos real quick. I'm a pastor at a church and I actually got to use the suit already in a volunteer appreciation event that we had. It's was pretty fun! Everyone flipped out when I entered the room in that suit! And then for Halloween we had a Trunk or Treat event and my wife and I did a Disney trunk. And since Disney owns SW now, a Stormtrooper kinda makes sense, right? Lol. Either way I didn't care, I was gonna wear my suit!! So here's where the bummer part comes in. I noticed half way through the trunk or treat that the edge of my forearm was eating away at my right rubber hand guard. There's some pretty serious damage and now I'm worried I won't be able to take my submission pics until I fix it. Any thoughts? Has this happened to you guys? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So lemme back track from my last post a bit. The glove fiasco has finally been solved. I had first posted about use CA glue to attach the hand guards, but it ended up completely back-firing on me and peeling up. Someone suggested using the Loctite plastic bonding system so I purchased that. Turns out it was completely dried out from when I bought it at Home Depot so I just tried using E6000. Everyone says that's what they used so why not. I traced my hand on an old, foam workout mat I had and cut it out. I used that inside the glove as a flat surface to apply pressure to. Then I weighted them down with dumbbells and cardboard. I waiting not 24 hours, but 48 hours before checking again! I also forgot to mention I thoroughly washed the gloves and guards three times each to make sure there was no oil or dirt that might jeopardize the gluing process. I also slightly sanded the glove and the back side of the guard. I did everything!!! But sadly, behold... Once again, the glue stuck perfectly to the glove and not the guard. What is it with these things??? I pretty much immediately determined I was going to keep the E6000 on there, NOT order new gloves yet again and finally try using the Loctite plastic bonding system like my initial plan entailed. I went back to Home Depot and this time made sure it wasn't dried out before purchasing. I once again washed the guards three times with soap and even with rubbing alcohol as well. I followed the instructions for the Loctite and watched the anticipation. It worked! I can't believe it actually worked. This stuff is truly magical. It basically made the guards one with the gloves. No issues any longer. Problem FINALLY solved! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Gary!! And yes I couldn't stop smiling! This is a dream come true. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Alright so, I've been a little busy as you can see, haha. I plan on going back and documenting the rest of my build, but I couldn't help but post this shot out of sheer glee and excitement. I feel like I'm looking at someone else's build, is this really me??? Obviously I'm missing the drop boxes (waiting on a friend to borrow their riveter), but other than that, how do I look?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey guys! I painted and removed the stencils on the vents. It looks like this one got a bit close to the edge. Will that be alright for approval? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey guys! Finishing up the helmet details! Below I've applied the trooper bay stencils for the vents. I've also painted the ear bar, how does it look?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok perfect thanks! I need to keep my OCD in check lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey guys got a calf question. This my left calf. I'm wanting to apply the Velcro, but the edges still have a slight gap (pictured below). I tried to hot water bath it so they lay flat against each other, but it's being pretty stubborn. Would a slight gap be acceptable for centurion? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow did not know this! Thank you guys for the pro tip! I will for sure make that edit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah that makes sense to me too! I'm for sure gonna use that storage method and removal technique. And great to know about the Velcro! Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok one more thing for the night and then I'm going to bed! I painted and glued the button plates. Wow they really make the ab plate come alive! Ok I'm done! Goodnight! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The next round of paint happened on my helmet. Man this thing is looking amazing. Did the second coat on the frown, second coat on the vocoder, second coat on tube stripes, cleaned up the tube stripes with a tooth pick, q-tips and brush cleaner, applies the first coat of grey to tears, ears, and all traps. Let me know what you guys think of the tube stripes and the border thickness on the traps! Oh and I installed the hovi's!! Please let me know if the positioning is cool on those! Dang this helmet though. Beautiful! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've installed my sniper plate and I'm stoked with how it turned out. Taking a pointer from FencingCorvetteTrooper's build thread (https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/42075-fencingcorvettetroopers-triple-trooper-build-ap-anh-stunt/), I pushed one side of the left shin up to help with the "warpness" of the sniper plate install. I also gave the sniper plate a boiling hot water bath to give it some help. Here's how the back looks without me forcing it into shape. And here's how the back looks forcing the top to align (which I eventually do permanently using the hot water bath method). It took a lot of manipulating with the hot water to get everything to align, but I'm very pleased with the final product. I really wanted the sniper plate to sit flush against the cover strip and that was not easy, but not impossible! See below. I glued the front and the sides at the same time using E6000. Only thing now is one more hot water back to have the back edges sit flush with one another in order to help the Velcro stick. The other shin is already done with this process! See below. I used the 25mm typical cover strip measurement for the back of the shins. Industrial strength white Velcro is being used to attach them. Only thing I'm worries about is that I used the adhesive that comes on the back of the Velcro. Just wondering if it'll be strong enough to take the wear and tear of trooping. We'll see! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oops forgot to post this pic of the kidney and cod strapping plates installed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk