Legacy Era Female Trooper Build in Texas

[SteampunkSith]

Okay, y'all, my armor and helmet kits are on order.  Since it will take a few weeks for them to ship, I have started working on my shopping list for tools and additional stuff I will need to complete my build for 501st approval.  (As I have received feedback and actually been shopping, I have edited this a number of time, refining it to what I have actually purchased.  I thought this would help folks that come to this thread later as a reference to their own builds.)

 

I have been researching since my first day here in FISD, and have found a lot of incredible information.  russellr2d2's ANH Stunt Build is a thread that I keep going back to.  Both his work and his documentation of it are incredible.  I can only hope to match his level of awesomeness, both in the quality of my build and my thread here.

 

I have pulled the majority of my supply list from bzb's build thread for his wife, as well as components from other tips, lists and tutorials around here.  I cannot drive, so having my husband tote me around to various stores is something I wish to avoid if at all possible.  So, I have been comparison shopping online, primarily between Home Depot and Amazon.  Husband has Amazon Prime, so if the prices are the same between the two when I go to purchase, Amazon will win my order because - WOOT - free fast shipping!

 

TOOLS:

12-Piece Needle File Kit

Sealing Iron & Sock

Tandy Leather Factory Line 24-Snap Setter

Tandy Leather Factory Snap/Rivet Anvil

 

RARE EARTH MAGNETS:

3/8" x 1/4" 12-Count

1/2" x 1/8" 14-Count

1/2" x 1/16" 100-Count

 

I already own:

Knives

Blades

Hammer (to go with the Tandy snap tool)

Heat Gun

Sewing Machine

Dremel

Metal ruler

Masking Tape (1" & 2")

Sandpaper

 

I will go to Home Depot to acquire:

Sandpaper (80, 180, 220, and 1200 wet/dry)

Clamps (I need to see those in person to see how well they are made, etc.)

Acetone

 

I will go to a Hobby Store to acquire:

E6000

Medium Viscosity CA Glue

 

FABRIC TYPE STUFFS:

Most of these items came from the list of stuff bzb used for his wife's armor (color and measurements only, not the brands).

3/4" Wide Black Elastic

2" Wide Black Elastic

3/4" Wide White Elastic

2" Wide White Elastic

3/4" Black Webbing

2" Wide White Velcro

1" Wide White Webbing

2" Wide White Webbing

(I plan to use russellr2d2's method for the back of the calves, which will involve attaching the inner and outer strips on one side to make a channel; the velcro is used with white webbing on the inside to keep it all closed while walking - It makes for a gorgeously flush back seam)

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS:

Tandy Line-24 Snaps

Belt Clips (for the side belt boxes)

Helmet Liner

Gorilla Gloves (medium)  (I will have to black out the blue logos, which will be also covered by the hand plates, as well as the wrist stitching)

Standard Tube Stripe Decals

Humbrol Gloss Black Paint #21

Humbrol Admiral Gray Paint #5

 

 

I have ordered boots from Gio.  I went ahead and ordered both styles (semi-flat and chunky heel).

 

I am going to order a neck seal from Darman.

 

I need to actually go to a sporting good store and try on under-suit tops and bottoms.  I am too worried about proper fit to order online if I can help it at all.

 

I am doing Version B, the comic version.  So the only paint I will need is for the helmet.

 

WHEW!  I think that is everything.  For now, anyway!

Edited May 8, 2015 by SteampunkSith

[bzb]

Woot Robyn!  Looks like you're well on your way.

 

1. I'm confused why you decided on the sealing iron.

 

2. I see you have a dremel - make sure you have cutoff wheels, sanding drums, and a couple different drill bits for the screws and snaps.

 

3. Are you planning on using CA glue (Zap a Gap and Zip Kicker?) for your kit?  If so, skip the magnets, and get a few different sizes of clamps.

 

4. Don't bother with the snap setter.  They are a royal PITA.  Use the hammer and anvil method - it's more effective and cheaper, anyway (they come with a pack of snaps).

 

5. 1" and 2" masking tape for fitting armor pieces.

 

6. 12" metal ruler comes in handy for popping straight lines.

 

7. Kev's kit comes with extra flat panels to make your comic-style TD and all the internal cover strips you'll need for assembly.

 

8. Kev's helmet kit does not come with the lens, mic tips, or tube stripes.  I went for the standard black TK tube stripes from Trooper Bay because it looked most like the comic.

 

9. Shannon is size S in the Under Armor Heat Gear for women. She's around 5'6" and 120 lbs.  She actually got a running top that has the thumb hole in the sleeves - she loves that for the ease of putting on the kit and protecting her hands a bit.

 

10. You need some foam for the forearms. I tend to have foam around from other projects, especially building speaker cabs

 

11. What's the acetone for?  Do you plan on sludge/sand/paint?  You can pick up a cheap bottle of 100% acetone at any grocery or pharmacy.

 

12. What do you mean neck collar?  Do you mean neck seal?  I'd highly recommend you just hit up Darman with your neck measurement and get the zipper closure neck seal.  I've gotten a few different neck seals, and Darman's wife makes our favorite.

 

Did I miss anything?

[SteampunkSith]

Yay, just the person I was hoping would see this thread!!!  

 

1.  russellr2d2 uses an iron at various points in his build thread.  It seemed like it would be convenient to have one on hand, in case I need it.

 

2.  I inherited the dremmel set from my grandfather.  I have only used it a few times.  I will check my inventory of bits/accessories for it, and pick up any I need/need to replace.

 

3.  I am definitely using E6000.  I am a total newb and I don't have the confidence yet for Zap et al.

 

4.  I had a feeling that pliers thing may suck.  I was tempted to completely remove it from my list.  Now I shall!

 

5.  Ooh, good call on the two different sizes of tape.  I will note that on my list.

 

6.  Oops, yes - I have one of those.  I need to add that to my inventory of in-hand stuffs.

 

7.  Oh good!

 

8.  I had a feeling that was the case.

 

9.  That helps.  I am 5'5" and am thicker, so I will definitely need to try stuff on.  I am sometimes a medium and sometimes a large.  I have been losing weight, and XLs are now too big for me.  But tight stuff is a crapshoot, so I definitely need to go try on some stuff.

 

10.  I used to have foam, but I think I used it for an upholstery project.  I will need to check that.

 

11.  I was going to have a small bottle of it handy "just in case".  I just hate working on something, realize I need another supply, and I don't have it.  Especially with limited ability to get around town.

 

12.  Der, yes- Neck seal.  My daughter was begging me to make dinner and I was losing focus on my post.  I will have to look for Darman on here. 

 

If I remember correctly from your thread, didn't the boots you ordered run super big?

 

What hardware did you use for the helmet?  Did you paint the traps?  I need to look up where to get the aerators/hovi mix tips.  So I need to order the lenses, black TK tube decals, frown mesh, as well as black and grey paint.  Which grey paint did you use?  It was nice and dark - I liked it.

 

I am so incredibly greatly for your help!

Edited April 27, 2015 by SteampunkSith

[bzb]

No worries at all - feel free to ping me on Twitter, IG, or even Facebook if you need to chat, I'm happy to help.  

 

We were so excited to get to the build yesterday that I completely forgot to post photos or take any video.  Doh, my apologies... and I'll try my best to remember the next time we're working on it.

 

As far as the iron, I'll dig into that thread and see why it's used.  I'm assuming it's for heat bending, which you really probably shouldn't do as a new builder - unless you have someone there that's with you that has some experience.

 

Boots did run a bit large from Gio.  I still need to chat with him to help him get a little better sizing for US sizes for the ladies.  However, the New Look ones were also a little big.  A pair of Superfeet insoles did the trick on both boots, though.

 

Hardware for the helmet is simply the screws that Kevin provides with the kit.  The alignment where it's marked was perfect, as were the cut lines for the ears.  Absolutely incredible kit.

 

Traps were hand painted using the green Frog Tape and 3 coats of Model Masters "Gunship gray".  I opted for that instead of the standard 1138 gray on the TK because it looks darker in the comic to me.

 

Trooperbay will have the green lens (or go smoke, if you like) that you will need to cut.  He also carries built/painted Mike Tips that work perfectly in this bucket.  You can use a bit of window screen if you have it for the mesh, or Trooperbay has that, as well.  Shannon preferred the standard TK tube stripes in black over the clone pills.  I cut off a good number of them, because the Legacy bucket is a great deal smaller than the standard TK.

[Barcode]

Bobby was INVALUABLE to me in my build for my fiancé. I didn't make a build thread though. But its has been competed. Good luck on your build!

[Barcode]

 

Megacon 501st area.

 

 

 

Compactor with my babes.

 

 

 

This is Derek, me, my fiancé Megan and Brad at Megacon! 

[SteampunkSith]

My armor shipped! My armor shipped! I must acquire ALL the supplies!!!!!!!!!! *runs around screaming and flailing*

[Teags]

All I would say is order the boots ASAP.

He has so much business! and with the new E7 boots etc. ^.^ 

Mine were shipped to Australia and have been in customs since the start of last month, and then with people saying they have run alot bigger - im worried! Trying to find an alternative this close to getting costume ready for a con is nail biting.

But you have come well prepared and have everything ( as far as I can see ) on the list. 

 

Oh and Kev is so fast at getting the armour out, its amazing. I got mine from the US to Australia and it took 8 days ( from ordering to receiving at my door! )

[bzb]

I had to put two layers of insoles in Shannon's to get hers snug.  Otherwise, they looked great.

 

Even the boots ordered from the UK were a half size too big - but a nice pair of Superfeet insoles and she can run in them

[SteampunkSith]

I think I will order a 38 in the boots instead of a 39. I have a bad ankle and need to be sure they aren't crazy loose.

[SteampunkSith]

BIG BROWN BOX DAY! To say that this is overwhelming would be a gross understatement. (There are doubles of most of these items; they are nested into each other in these photos because the coffee table is too small for everything)

 

 

 

[Sabyre]

BIG BROWN BOX DAY! To say that this is overwhelming would be a gross understatement.

 

  Congratulations on the big brown box day.   I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning on mine. From what I've seen from the rest of your thread and other posts you've made, it sounds like you will have no trouble with this build, and will be done in no time. I'm excited to see a Texas based female trooper build thread. Good luck! 

[charlesnarles]

Cool cool cool!

[SteampunkSith]

I am afraid to start trimming because, despite my hours of research and studying photos of already built kits, I still don't understand how these specific pieces are supposed to connect/fit together.  Butt joints?  Butt joints with cover strips (that we cut ourselves from the large square of plastic that came with the kit?)?  Overlap joints?

 

I am petrified of screwing this up, and I haven't even really started yet.

[SteampunkSith]

I have absolutely no idea what these pieces are...

 

[SteampunkSith]

After looking at some of the other build threads around here, I think these are the interior shims for the front of the calves...  Right?!?

[bzb]

Yes, it's the front inside of the shins.  You glue the two halves to that.

 

Start with the torso.  It should be pretty evident where to trim the ab plate on the top and bottom - leave the sides untrimmed for now (fitting comes later).  That should get you started - I'll look through your messages tomorrow and try to give you some advice.

 

If you need some reassurance, we can join in a Google Hangouts, Skype, or Facetime chat

Edited May 9, 2015 by bzb

[SteampunkSith]

Thanks, Bobby.  I sent you a slew of messages in a panic, but have since calmed down!  lol  I realized that the CRL does give details on which parts butt join, which overlap, etc.  I have been working on my biceps tonight...  Dude, these things are huge!  But I am just trimming a little at a time.  Better to have to keep whittling it down little by little then realize I cut too much off!

[SteampunkSith]

Pencil markings to show me where to score the biceps...

 

Scored and snapped bicep edges...

 

These suckers are HUGE!

 

 

 

I started sanding and shaping the opening curves (not messing with the straight edges yet, because I need to research more about proper fitting), but the dust is horrible!  I am not sanding anymore until my husband can run out and get me some dust masks.  My sinuses are all jacked up now, even though I keep doing sinus flushes to wash it all out.  YUCK! 

[Barcode]

So far..... So AWESOME! Good luck on your build and ask away when you have questions. Bobby helped me SO much but now Im in the know as well on the "How to".  Looking forward to the build! 

[SteampunkSith]

I wish I could see close up photos of the seams on the biceps and forearms, as well as the interiors of them.  I am a visual person, and seeing how the finished pieces look close up, inside and out, would help me tremendously.

 

Also, how wide should the interior shim pieces be, the strips that the butted ends get glued to?

Edited May 9, 2015 by SteampunkSith

[Stormy320]

Very cool ladies

[Mutter]

My girlfriend just ordered hers Thursday night. We'll be following your build thread very closely. No pressure ;-)

[SteampunkSith]

Whoooooooooo, no pressure! Lol

[TK6682[TK]]

if you all need any help PM me.