Skul's ANH Stunt Build (ATA)

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

The purpose of this thread is to post my each and every move - not as a guide, but to have you professionals out there stop me at any time in case I screw something up (or am about to). This is my very first stormtrooper build so I'm nervous, but mostly excited!

 

Starting off with the helmet! I'm very thankful for ATA for having these kits just lying around while you wait for the rest of your armor (tip for anyone wanting to buy from them: you can order the helmet and the rest of the armor separately. There's an 11-month wait for me, and only one of those months is up, so this gives me 10 months to get used to working with the armor and hone my skills on a bucket.)

 

 

 

 

I have a workshop in my back yard that was left to me by my late father. It's a pain to get into, and an even BIGGER pain to look around in, so I don't know if I have a dremel or not. I figured, for now, I can at least poke some little pieces of the eyes out with a utility knife (yes, I have an exacto). For you professionals out there: How close to the casing should the final cuts be? And what tools do you use to get there?

 

 

 

I'll probably go out later today and see if I can find the dremel. If it turns out I don't have one, I'll go and buy one from Lowe's or Home Depot with my next paycheck in a few weeks, and in the meantime I'll find other "big" cuts I can make without needing a dremel.

 

I appreciate any feedback I can get, good or bad! Thanks a ton, everyone!

 

~~Skul

 

EDIT: I forgot to mention I'm hoping to make this build up to Centurion specs up-front, so if there's nay extra details I need and might miss, please let me know. 

Edited January 27, 2016 by SkulShurtugalTCG

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

I got inspired and worked on the teeth. Still haven't been out to see if I have a dremel, so what you see here is the result of sandpaper and a utility knife.

 

Edited January 27, 2016 by SkulShurtugalTCG

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

Here is the front with the preliminary eye cutouts. Is this good or should I further refine?

 

[Squimspickle[TK]]

It's a good idea how your doing it, take a little off and then compare. You definitely can cut out more in the eyes. Teeth look good. Maybe straighten out the sides on a few of the teeth a tiny bit more, nothing too serious.  A set of needle files really helps out in these tight areas.  Here is how far I took mine down during my build. This is an ATA helmet as well.

 

Make sure you check out the Photo Reference Gallery too.  Lots of detailed pics from screen used armor.

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/gallery/

 

Nice work, keep it up!

Edited January 28, 2016 by Squimspickle

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

I think I've been on ATA's waiting list since March but decided to get MTK cause I could get it in a few days or wait forever. I never cancelled but then again I have never been notified either. 

[Squimspickle[TK]]

I think I've been on ATA's waiting list since March but decided to get MTK cause I could get it in a few days or wait forever. I never cancelled but then again I have never been notified either. 

ATA Works wait is 11 months now.  I got on the list December 9th, 2014 and got mine November 1st, 2015. He gave me an update a week before I received it. More then likely your kit is about a month away from completion.

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

I never paid or anything, never had another word of communication. If he sends me something and I can give my slot away, I will definitely let someone here know and take it. 

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

I got put on the waiting list early December, so I wouldn't doubt the rest of the kit won't be here until November this year.

 

In the meantime, I shaved a bit more out of the eyes. I don't have files for the mouth holes, but I'll get back to work on those some other time. I also cut off the excess material from both the front and back. This is about as far as I can go without a rivet gun, which I don't have. I'll probably buy one with my next paycheck next month (as well as painting material and the like), and hopefully I can have this bucket done within just a week or two after that!

 

 

Edited January 28, 2016 by SkulShurtugalTCG

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

Hit up your local garrison. Guarantee someone has a rivet gun they can loan you. 

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

It actually turns out I have a rivet gun in my workshop. I went out there to check on the dremel (which I don't have, but my knife and scissors seem to be doing just as good of a job). So I'm all set to do my next step. My question now is, what should be the size of the rivets? Does it matter, or is there a particular size that's necessary? (Both for the helmet and any others I might need for the rest of the armor months down the line)

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

1/8" rivets 

[illusionz_09[TK]]

ATA comes with all the pieces you need for the bucket. You should have the needed screws in the box.

[illusionz_09[TK]]

Oh and i suggest you lower the brow, high brows like that are more for Sand Troopers than Stormtroopers. But its up to you...

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

Don't worry, the brow will be low over the eyes; I was just holding it there for picture purposes.

 

The bucket did come with a little bag with screws and washers and the mic tips, but no rivets.

[illusionz_09[TK]]

Don't worry, the brow will be low over the eyes; I was just holding it there for picture purposes.

 

The bucket did come with a little bag with screws and washers and the mic tips, but no rivets.

you do not need rivets for the bucket. The originals just had those screws/washers.

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

you do not need rivets for the bucket. The originals just had those screws/washers.

I guess I don't NEED them, no. I'm following PandaTrooper's build thread, and he riveted the front and back together before putting on the ears.

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

Wow, it's been a few weeks.

 

Here's my update: I have the rivet gun and rivets BUT i don't have a power drill for the hole. So I've been holding off for a while to really re-invest into this project.

 

I happened across an armor party planned for the 19th of March. I've never been to one before, and I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to go back to work on my helmet. Since it's a month away, that gives me a month to gather all the supplies I need.

 

At this point, I've cleared out the eyes and teeth, shaped the helmet edges, and started shaping the ears. From this point on, what else do I need? I know I need the supplies to keep the helmet together (rivets, screws, etc) but I'm pretty sure I have all of those already. Do the brow and S-trim need to be glued into place, or are they usually just put on and stay by themselves? Most importantly (for me), if I were to order the helmet paint from Trooperbay, what colors should I go for for each of the sections? As much as possible, I'd like to finish this helmet at the armor party.

 

Thanks for your help, everyone!

Edited February 21, 2016 by SkulShurtugalTCG

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

I don't have a drill but I own a Dremel. I bought drill bits and used it. 

[illusionz_09[TK]]

the brow and S-trim are usually not glued in place. they are held by just pressure.

if you want you can glue it, but it is not necessary, especially if you ever need to fix/change them.

 

as far as trooperbay goes, he has the full paint pack that comes with the exact colors you need.

the humbrol paints he sells are screen accurate.

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

the brow and S-trim are usually not glued in place. they are held by just pressure.

if you want you can glue it, but it is not necessary, especially if you ever need to fix/change them.

 

as far as trooperbay goes, he has the full paint pack that comes with the exact colors you need.

the humbrol paints he sells are screen accurate.

Any particular brushes to pick up as well? And what about the tube stripes decals; do I pick those up or just paint them on myself?

 

Please pardon my ignorance. A quick search on the forums didn't reveal anything, and I felt there's no such thing as a stupid question here. 

Edited February 24, 2016 by SkulShurtugalTCG

[illusionz_09[TK]]

There are so much threads out there it is really tough to find everything you need.

Honestly when it comes to paint jobs, you should follow the videos on Trooperbay.com (TK/4510)

 

https://trooperbay.com/hand-paint-helmet/

 

He explains the different brushes you should use and the technique for painting.

on this website you can also buy the decal templates. His templates are great, especially for the tube stripes.

 

Feel free to look at my Bucket thread for any help as well.

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

There are so much threads out there it is really tough to find everything you need.

Honestly when it comes to paint jobs, you should follow the videos on Trooperbay.com (TK/4510)

 

https://trooperbay.com/hand-paint-helmet/

 

He explains the different brushes you should use and the technique for painting.

on this website you can also buy the decal templates. His templates are great, especially for the tube stripes.

 

Feel free to look at my Bucket thread for any help as well.

Thanks! I took a look at his videos and your build thread. Helped out a lot. Just placed my order and hopefully I will be able to wrap up my bucket next month!

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

Quick update: A member of my garrison posted on Facebook, saying they were selling their RS Propmasters armor kit for a VERY reduced price. I decided to bite the bullet and buy it. We just finished negotiating the price; still working on when I can pick it up. But in any case, I'm proud to announce that I am getting the rest of my armor far sooner than expected - and some of it has even been trimmed, to Centurion specs, on top of that! My only downside right now is that I've mostly been researching ATA build threads until now, so I'd better start reading up on RS build threads.

 

The armor party I'm attending for my helmet is next Saturday and I 100% know I can go now. With any luck, I can finish the helmet in its entirety by the end of this month, and get the rest of the armor figured out by the time summer rolls around. My ultimate goal is to be Centurion-certified by the time Rogue One releases, and I am getting pretty excited at the idea of it actually about to happen!

 

Picture of the armor:

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

You are lucky! RS is a beautiful kit

[SkulShurtugalTCG[501st]]

You are lucky! RS is a beautiful kit

Yes it is, and like I said, I was able to get it at an insanely-reduced price. Literally less than half of the original selling price.