ANH ATA armor build

[elleerre]

Hi everybody.

 

At the end of august a brown box knocked at my door.

When opened I've found a bunch of white plastic elements inside and, surprise, they told me that I could build a star wars' stormtrooper armor with them.

Incredible, isn't it.

 

So here we are.

 

The brown box®

 

opened

 

And it's content, after a lightsaber duel with my son to make everything stay nice and clean on the floor (he wanted to wear it "straightaway")

 

 

Now I've started trimming all the excess plastic, hoping to avoid a mess.

I'm taking as a guide some other's ATA builds, but I know the road to the dark side is full of obstacles so I'll need your help for sure.

After some try with lexan scissors, I've found my dimension in the "score and snap" technique, and I'm proceeding quite fast.

 

Please stay tuned for inevitable problems & questions. Every suggestion will be appreciated a lot, even little things that you would normally give for granted.

 

Enjoy with me this build, and thanks a lot in advance for your help.

 

Cheers,

Lorenzo

Edited October 24, 2014 by elleerre

[elleerre]

First question...

 

this is the back plate. Which line I have to cut on?

 

 

Thanks.

Lorenzo

[MotioN]

Exciting!! Take your time, cant wait to see your progress

[Heathen Viking]

Congrats on your new armor.  I'm in the process of assembling my ATA armor.  It's been a process so far between reading all the threads on here, reading more threads,  and then reading some more just to make sure I'm doing it right.  Not to mention reading and researching some more when I second guess myself.  I'm about 75% done with it so far.  At first I trimmed most of the pieces with a cutting wheel and drum sanding bit on my Dremmel.  Since then I've used the score and snap method, which is A LOT easier.  Take it slow.  I found it easy to get ahead of myself.  PM me if you have any questions.  Good Luck and enjoy.     

[DroidHunter]

First question...

 

this is the back plate. Which line I have to cut on?

 

 

Thanks.

Lorenzo

Can't see your pic. Not sure if the issue is on my end or not.

[elleerre]

Can't see your pic. Not sure if the issue is on my end or not.

Do you see the other pictures? I can see it. Anyone has the same problem?

[elleerre]

Exciting!! Take your time, cant wait to see your progress

Thank you!

[Minuteman]

I see the pic, but I don't see which side of the back is shown. The best way to get the return edges right is to look in the photo reference section at original suits. Especially the RS pictures helped me fantastically ;-) give it a try

[elleerre]

Congrats on your new armor.  I'm in the process of assembling my ATA armor.  It's been a process so far between reading all the threads on here, reading more threads,  and then reading some more just to make sure I'm doing it right.  Not to mention reading and researching some more when I second guess myself.  I'm about 75% done with it so far.  At first I trimmed most of the pieces with a cutting wheel and drum sanding bit on my Dremmel.  Since then I've used the score and snap method, which is A LOT easier.  Take it slow.  I found it easy to get ahead of myself.  PM me if you have any questions.  Good Luck and enjoy.     

Hi Robe, I'll send a line for sure if I'll found me in trouble, thanks.

 

The greatest issue I've found until now is how much to trim on each part.

I'm looking and looking and looking like you at other builds, but some infos will be inevitably lost on this matter.

By the way I'll post here if I'll have some problems.

[elleerre]

I see the pic, but I don't see which side of the back is shown. The best way to get the return edges right is to look in the photo reference section at original suits. Especially the RS pictures helped me fantastically ;-) give it a try

I'll give another look thanks!

 

Hi it's the right side, around the arm.

 

There are two steps, I'm in doubt if to trim on the groove between them, or to trim after the last one (the external one).

At first sight i think I have to trim on the groove... isn't it?

Edited September 20, 2014 by elleerre

[Minuteman]

I would say go for the groove. Looks right to me. But keep in mind - measure twice, cut once and if in doubt, cut less

[elleerre]

BTW I'm trimming grossly for now, leaving some space for any noob mistakes.

 

[elleerre]

I would say go for the groove. Looks right to me. But keep in mind - measure twice, cut once and if in doubt, cut less

Yes sir.

 

Thanks!

[elleerre]

According to the pulls, the right upper arm has a returning edge, while the left has none. Is it correct?

How about to keep a RE on both?

Thanks.

[gazmosis[501st]]

The groove is the right line to cut

[DroidHunter]

I see it now. What Gaz said -- cut along the groove.

[elleerre]

The groove is the right line to cut

 

 

I see it now. What Gaz said -- cut along the groove.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Edited September 20, 2014 by elleerre

[Minuteman]

Return edge at the bicep will only cause "armor bites" areas where the armor damages your skin. I would remove it or just leave a very small return edge

[elleerre]

Ok, thanks!

[elleerre]

Still here, just going on with the rest of the kit (blaster, mainly) and doing some shopping (canvas, leather, gloves, boots) for a while.

 

The armor is trimmed out... I fear a bit to begin the build, maybe it's normal, I don't know.

 

[Sly11[Admin]]

Everyone starts out a little nervous on their first build, but you have already started trimming, so the most daunting step is behind you.

Take your time, continue to ask questions when in doubt and refer to build threads and reference photos from the movie. Good luck, we are here to help.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[elleerre]

Here I am with some updates.
The trimming is almost done. Unfortunately I had not all the time I wanted to go on with this build, because [insert problem here].

By the way I've found some time to build some accessories.

Thermal detonator
It was impossible to find the correct diameter for the ATA caps, so I've bought a bigger PVC plumbing pipe (70 mm) and modified it to fit.


 
Trimmed away a longitudinal section


 
Then adapted the pipe inside the caps with the two trimmed edges joined together with no gaps (yes I know, you see a gap, just be patient).


 
Used the heath gun to reshape the pipe to the new diameter. The wood stick helps the edges to join straighter.


 
Result





 
The holster is complete. I've used 3 mms thick black leather, trimmed according the template found here in the FISD board.
It was a pain to make the holes to pass the stitching through.
 
A couple of pictures during the work
 



You'll find the finished pictures with the belt more under.

Gloves are made.
I've bought black chemical gloves and white latex Sonnenschein's hand guards attached togheter wit special Loctite glue (thanks Karin!)




Boots are ready too.
I'm very happy with these because I've found a great way to paint white a pair of black boots. Easy and "cheap".
Go here
 
Last saturday a couple of friends of the Italian Garrison Sub Zero Squad came to my place to try some fitting of the armor, we were so busy that no one took pictures, sorry.
After that my work in this weekend was almost entirely on the canvas belt.
 
Following Gazmosis' suggestions I've bought the necessary white cotton canvas and provided to trim and glue together (ironing) five strips. ThinktThe result, after stitching the edges and attaching velcro on ends, is great. It is a stiff but flexible belt. Could one ask for more?
 

 
Canvas belt and leather holster, finished. Sorry for the poor quality picture.

 
I'm concerned about just one thing: the belt is 85 mm (found in a thread here) when in the reference library is said 83 mm. My fault, I haven't verified before the correct dimension. Could this be a problem?
I could trim away 2 mms from the belt or make another one, if needed.

Will post more pictures as soon as possible.

Ciao!

Edited January 28, 2015 by elleerre

[gazmosis[501st]]

PM'd you regarding the belt