Looking for the right armor to gain acceptance into 501st

[Disciple]

Hello all,

 

Long time lurker and now a future member of the 501st. I am extremely excited I can not contain it. I have always wanted to join and attend events and now it is going to come true. I thank you for taking the time to look at my post and offer your help.

 

But, first I have a few questions. I have been saving for a long time and am finally able to start this hobby. I am not going to build my armor but I am going to have it comissioned. I would eventually like to build a set of armor, but for my first iteration, I would like it skillfully made by others that have been doing it now for sometime. When the time comes and I am more familiar with my armor, I will build a set.

 

So, with that being said, I have been researching. I think I have found what I want and I come to you, the experts, for your advice. The following are the items I am looking at purchasing and I would like to know your thoughts on them. Please, be as honest as possible and what you may think my chances are at being accepted with these items. What modifications I would maybe need, or if I should buy something else.

 

Stormtrooper Armor (Full commissioned kit/blaster):

RS Prop Masters Stormtrooper Full Suit Commission

 

I amy also purchase these boots if the others are not to my liking:

TK Boots

 

Comms (Classic Kit - Already on list for order when ready):

ROM/FX Voice Modulator

 

Any and all comments on these items are appreciated. I have worked on a few other costumes other than Star Wars, but they were not mine. These were just bucket modifications though, voice, intake/exhaust fans, and small mods. I plan on doing the same for my bucket as soon as I am confident on what I like is what will get me accepted into the 501st and is only of the highest quality.

 

Again, thank you for your time,

Disciple

Future Trooper

[Quadan[501st]]

After all my own research on the Interwebz, my consern with buying fully prebuilt TK armor is the fitting.. Are you a small guy buying a larger guy's armor and vice versa.

[Snaps[TK]]

While a lot of people go the commission route, I would also recommend getting in touch with your local garrison. A lot of them have build parties and workshops where they can help you with your build. I went with TK Boots and they are great. Even if they don't have your size, ask about their discounted ones that are ones with slight wrinkles in the leather. Your boots will wrinkle anyways.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Snaps

[gazmosis[501st]]

I will never side with having someone build it for you. Half the excite from this hobby comes from wearing what YOU built. I can understand if you don;t have the time or you are so unsure of your skills that you can burn water. RS is one of the great armors. They do have a tendency to make it larger than what you order "just in case" to give you room to grow. I think this should be something that is ordered and not standard procedure. What if you CAN'T grow? What if you are really fit and WON'T grow? What if you grow, but it's 8 years from now. You are just supposed to wear armor that is too big on you until you fill it out??? If this scenario sounds OK to you, then go for it. If you don't plan on getting bigger, please tell them to follow your measurements and build it accordingly.

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Greetings Alex, and welcome to the FISD!!!

 

For starters, the items you've selected are all top notch. I wear TK Boots, and use a RomFX myself. As the others have all mentioned, I'd advise against having your armor built for you. It seems daunting because you're spending a decent amount of money on something that feels like you could destroy it very easily on your own. The truth is that we won't let you fail, and if you are able to get involved with your local Garrison, they won't let you fail.

 

The resources available to you here are so in depth when it comes to knowledge, and examples that a novice can certainly do this. A year ago, I had a pair of TK Boots, a canvas belt, and a Doopydoos E-11 build just started. Now, I'm an EIB TK, who is about to complete the work required to submit my Centurion application.

 

You can do this, but as Steve (Gazmosis) said, either path will get you where you want to be, but building it yourself will empower you in so many ways that will help you and others later on.

 

Good luck, and we are here to help you throughout the process.

[Snaps[TK]]

I was nervous and wanted all the experience possible when I started, we've all been there. But like Steve and Tim mentioned, it is such a great feeling knowing you did the build yourself! Whether a local member helping or all the great help here, you aren't alone!

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

As a newb who would like to put in his (albeit humble) two cents worth, I would follow gazmosis' advice.  I think that half the fun of getting your TK number is doing the build yourself, and getting the self satisfaction of a "job-well-done".  There is MORE than sufficient information on this site to do so, and if you should run into any questions or problems, there is always someone here to lend a guiding hand.

For instance, I am still waiting on my armor, but I have completed my blaster in the mean-time, and, I now have 99% of all the supplies I need to "Get my kit together".

Take your time, ask questions, and the very best of luck to you!

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

Also, don't forget why we do this whole thing.... It is not for ourselves...  Although I have yet to get my official TK number,  I look forward to the smiles, the laughs, and hopefully making someone who really needs it  forget reality for a moment, and revel in the fact that they met a "Real Stormtrooper".  They may never know my name, but that matters not.  Smiles count more than money ever could.

[Disciple]

Thank you for all your comments. I will take all of these into consideration. I am sure I could get the DIY kit and complete it. I just do not wish to destroy something my first time after paying so much money for it. Also, I am a regular sized guy. 5'10 and 180lbs. I work out a lot to stay fit and that is about it, so I will not be getting any bigger. If I do go for the complete commission I will have RS follow my sizing instructions to the "T".

 

I do plan on building my own set myself. But, like I said, having a starter set that is up to par and is to the Star Wars standard is my top priority.

 

Thank you for the tips Snaps. I know that I am just starting what many have done before and I do look forward to learning as much as I can.

 

Gazmosis and Dark CMF, thank you for your replies as well. I understand the feeling of completing what has taken you a while to complete, I love this feeling. But again, to start out I would like to get a full suit built by those that have made them before. Knowledge of my own suit and of it's use, I would like to make another suit that I have made. Hopefully better.

 

justjoseph63, I feel you. I have two children of my own and my oldest just simply can not wait to see her Dad in a Stormtrooper suit. She thinks it is the best thing that will ever happen. Right now, we go to hospitals for children and drop off toys and games. What she wants to do is bring her Stormtrooper along with her and drop off Star Wars toys and games now. I have been excited to do this for a very long time, not just because I love the movies. But, because of what you said, the smiles, laughs, high fives... the joy that these suits bring to other's lives is joyous all in its own. This is another reason I do not want to screw up my first suit. I do not mind spending the money to have a great suit so that way when I go trooping, I know that people will love it. That may sound selfish, but I am doing this for all the right reasons.

 

Smiles, laughs and all happiness that I can bring to other's lives is what I am doing this for. I will of course be having a ton of fun doing it as well. But the people that love Star Wars just as much as me are what makes me want to do this.

 

Ok, I think I have rambled on long enough, sorry...

 

But again, thank you for all your comments and I will think long and hard about which path I will take and I will report back here with what happens. Any more comments or concerns are greatly appreciated. I do love them!

 

Disciple

[Sly11[Admin]]

Greetings and welcome to the FISD Disciple,

I can't really add any more than the others have already done so above,.

Everything you have chosen is awesome, but I will reiterate the words of both Gazmosis and DarkCMF. Commissioned is nice, and an added cost of coarse, but please do consider the path we have mostly taken. The true path to the Empire, and the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and pride you will feel, when on a troop someone asks you about your awesomeness, and you can answer with " I assembled it myself". It might seem daunting, and some may even make it seem even more so than it is, but trust in us. We are here to help every step of the way, as is your local garrison . WE LOVE TO HELP, and we love progress photos of cadets work.

With your new skill set, In turn you will want to help others, and the circle is complete. You will transform from disciple to fully approved Badass, all at your own hand.

Again welcome, research, and keep asking questions.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Disciple]

Thank you for your reply Sly11. I am on the proverbial ledge right now. I see and understand the point of making your own armor. I am pretty sure I could tackle this build most successfully. So, I am going to say the heck with it and just go for it. This way, I will appreciate my own armor more and I will have more pride in it after it is finished. I know I will learn a lot more this way as well. So in honor of everyone here that has done it before me, I will follow suit and do the same. I mean, keeping with tradition has to be the way of the Empire as I see it. So I will not be one to disappoint.

 

I will be getting my kit from RS Prop Masters, my TK boots and the ROM/FX voice modulator. When I have received all the parts, I will start my progress thread and keep everyone here updated. I am stoked to start this. (I will be ordering everything soon and hopefully it will all be ready for me at home when I redeploy back to the States)

 

Again, thank you everyone for all your words of encouragement. I will keep researching and designing the inside of my helmet layout in the time being.

 

Thank you again!

Disciple

[Snaps[TK]]

Something to think about is that building is a lot easier than you might think. Yes there is tons and tons of wonderful information here but the build comes down to a metal ruler and sharp knife, e6000 glue, tape and clamps and patience. You can get your kit pretrimmed. I got an AP kit pretrimmed and 3 months later I was in the 501st and applying for EIB and Centurion status. I thought and as many have too, don't want to mess something up. Not like you can go to your local store to buy a new forearm. But once I started, I felt better I wasn't going mess anything up....it's easier to think you'll mess something up when you haven't done it before. We all admire you for the reason you want to join, it's the core meaning of the 501st. Seeing those kids and even adults so excited with seeing you is one of the best feelings!

Edited February 3, 2015 by Snaps

[Sly11[Admin]]

Good on you brother, you are going to love the journey you're about to embark on, I promise .

As I mentioned before, we are here to help, and remember this, measure twice, cut once.

I am truly excited for you.

 

 

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[Artshot]

From a personal point of view and being at the beginning of my journey, you will never find a more helpful bunch of like minded people, than on this site.

 

Through messages, research.....more research, build threads.....research, I was able to make a well informed decision about what armor was suitable for me, reading through many builds from people with similar armor to the armor I am waiting for is an invaluable resource, everybody has there own approach to there build, all are fascinating to read.

 

I agree completely with Sly11's comment about a circle, I fully intend to put up a build thread when I get my hands on my armor, I also figure that if I am screwing it up, somebody will point it out and stear me in the right direction before I make too many mistakes.