ANH TK Armor (Noob needs help)

[TKJustin]

A local maker (a 501st member) is offering these fully built helmet and blaster:

 

ALBUM:

http://s1343.photobu...!cpZZ1QQtppZZ20

 

~$235 for the Helmet

~$210 for the blaster

 

More about the seller: he's actually the GML here, and he's helping us newbs get decent armor

without going through the painstaking task of sending kits from other countries (which is both costly

and risky.)

 

What do you guys think, should I take it?

Edited December 11, 2012 by TKJustin

[SW1]

Can't see photo's Justin ?

[TKJustin]

It's a link to the photo bucket album wait I'll try to hot link the photos

[TKJustin]

 

TK HELMET

 

-Fully Assembled & Painted

-Made out of 2.0mm ABS plastic

-Screen Accurate

-Accurate U & S Rubber Trim imported from London

-Vinyl decals

-Handpainted frown,vocoder & ear detail

-2.0mm thick Green Lens Visor (no eyes seen with flash photography)

-Correct 4/40 flathead machine screws for the ears

-Accurate Hovi Mic tips

 

Price per helmet is P9,500

 

BLASTER:

 

-Fully Assembled, Painted, & Weathered

-Made out of tough Resin that can be used for trooping

-Cast out of an original British Sterling SMG used during WWII

-Custom scope rail w/ Hengstler attachment

-Non-functional

-Great as a display model.(Blaster stand coming soon!)

-Approx 2.5lbs & has a 18.5" barrel length.

-Mag Cylinders with wires are available upon request only

 

Price per blaster is P8,500

Edited December 11, 2012 by TKJustin

[Minuteman]

There´s no known vetted armor maker on the Philippines, so this will most likely be a recast.

Could this derive from TM?

Does this maker also produce armor?

210 bucks for a blaster is a huge sum, if it is made from Resin you could buy yourself a doopydoos kit for 60 $ plus shipping and build it yourself.

[TKJustin]

I'm not sure as to what the origin of the helmet is.

He isn't producing armor yet as he says he's still trying to make one.

He said he'll come out with the armor by late next year.

 

The blaster is resin.

I'm actually okay with the prices now as they are very comparable to prices of US kits shipped to my area.

My real concern is if these things look good enough, despite possibly being a recast.

 

Well from what I gather, it's not obvious that it is a recast, so it might be good enough?

 

More about the seller: he's actually the GML here, and he's helping us newbs get decent armor

without going through the painstaking task of sending kits from other countries (which is both costly

and risky.)

Edited December 11, 2012 by TKJustin

[Minuteman]

Let´s wait for the more experienced troopers to give their opinion on this helmet, I´m unsure about the molds origin.

[TKJustin]

Okay! Thanks for giving me ideas what else to check for though.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Seems a bit expensive to me, I would want to know the makers of both before proceeding

[TKJustin]

He's the local GML. He's registered in the 501st website.

I was able to contact him by getting his email there.

 

I'm not really sure though if that adds to his credibility.

Edited December 11, 2012 by TKJustin

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Not really, I would still ask the maker of both the blaster and helmet, better be safe than sorry

[TKJustin]

He made these himself, so most likely he patterned it after his armor. He is the maker.

[Dr.Senf]

Could be AP aswell.

Not 100% sure. But the pricetag is too big imo.

Decals used not all handpainted paintjob is ok but not that nice. I would think twice before buying and not knowing the origins.

If, what we dont know yet, its a recast i wouldnt buy it.

We dont support recaster.

Find out the origins and then decide.

My2ct

 

 

Tapatalk.

[TKJustin]

Yeahp! Got it Sent e-mail asking about the origins, and if it is a recast. I also inquired about the manufacturing process.

[Dr.Senf]

Good job!!

Always better to ask twice and buy once.

; )

 

 

Tapatalk.

[TKJustin]

I feel like I'll be asking him way more that twice.

 

Thanks for the help.

Edited December 12, 2012 by TKJustin

[DudeSidious]

There's a gap behind the right ear like it was over trimmed before assembly.

[TKJustin]

Thanks! I'll alert him about it so he can avoid it for his first run. Could you help me specify which gap?

 

Edited December 12, 2012 by TKJustin

[DudeSidious]

 

 

 

This one, behind the bottom ear screw.

Edited December 12, 2012 by DudeSidious

[TKJustin]

Ohh there! Okay. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Tray[TK]]

$235 isn't a bad price for a fully assembled helmet. Because you don't know the origins I would hold off. Most helmets kits are about that much to you anyway but you would still have to assemble it. They would have a much better detail in the pull also.

 

The helmet you posted looks to be a pretty soft pull. Usually happens with recasts.

[TKJustin]

Hmm, so this is most likely a recast of the armor he used for applying to the 501st.

 

Is it not acceptable for 501st standards? (he claims it's acceptable for 501st standards, and he's the GML here)

[Minuteman]

Well.... your GMO decides in the last instance about your application.

The helmet does not look bad, but like it´s said before is most likely a recast.

With a good recast you will get approved, but we as a community do not support recasters, because they earn money by copying the work other vetted armor makers did.

These "armor artist" enable us to carry out our hobby and buying the cheap recast armor destroys their possibility to refinance all the work and money they put into creating the armor (vacuum table, molds,e.g. one reputable armor maker on this forum works since 10 years on improving his armor to make it look as accurate as possible)

We the community and the armor makers live together (pictorially said) in symbiosis.One needs the other.

Recasters are the parasites that profit from other peoples work.

Edited December 12, 2012 by Minuteman

[TKJustin]

Well said If it's definitely a recast I might just pass on it. Still waiting for a reply from him.

 

just a side note, the CO and XO are CC'd in his emails to me.

Edited December 13, 2012 by TKJustin

[TKJustin]

I would also like to ask what he meant by

"-Mag Cylinders with wires are available upon request only"