2x2's FX (probably) Stunt build

[2x2]

Hi all! Stoked to be here and get into this build!

 

It was recommended that I start a build thread to get some help on identifying the suit I have, which I suspect is an old FX recast. If it is, I know this kit is old and there are much better suits than the FX out there these days, but (if you read my intro post you’ll know) I bought this well over ten years ago off ebay and it's been in my basement since then, so it's what I've got! I also know if this *is* an FX kit that the helmet is no longer allowed for 501st membership, but I have a MRCE helmet that I plan to mod up to specs.

 

So! If those of you in the know could take a look at my pics and let me know for sure what this kit is, so I know where to start, that would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Also, I do not know the difference, on sight/touch, between HIPS and ABS. This stuff is fairly sturdy feeling, thinner in some parts, but I wouldn't' say it was shiny exactly, so I'm guessing it's HIPS. Again, any help here would be appreciated! EDIT: After looking at some other build posts, I'm revising my opinion to say that I think what I have is ABS. It definitely has a shinier look to it than the other type of material I've seen on some of the build threads - but still, let me know if I'm right or not! 

 

On to the pictures! I have the full kit and a few close up shots. If another angle or close up is required for identification, let me know and I will take it!

 

Here's the full kit laid out on the floor:

 

Faceplate - 3 part helmet:

 

Chest plate - angle looks weird because pic was taken upside down, sorry:

 

Ab details, as you can see, not super sharp:

 

Back OII Detail, again not all that sharp:

 

Shoulder bells and upper arms etc.:

 

Forearms, look to be symmetrical:

 

Thighs:

 

Calves:

 

Thermal Detonator and box fronts (no backs included in the kit):

 

So, the arms and legs have overlapping joints, but I'm hoping they'll be big enough on my hubby that I can trim them and use the extra plastic pieces for the 'belt' to make cover strips and do them right Won't know until I can start test fitting this weekend though.

 

Anyway, any help identifying this kit? Is it FX? I am super anxious to get started

Thanks!

Mel

Edited November 11, 2016 by 2x2

[Udermeister]

Hey Melanie! Funny you should post up this kit, cause I have the exact same that I got from a dude on craigslist around 4 years ago (before I found the FISD). Just started working on it myself! From my research, I've decided that it's either FX or a JediRobe - which from what I can tell is a recast of FX.

 

I'm gonna follow your thread, and I'll post mine up soon and we can be FX buddies! 

 

One note, if I'm correct the FX is still acceptable, but needs mods. The ab buttons need to be swapped, the chest plate needs to be modded and a few other things should be done too. Here's a thread that goes over what needs to be done to make this the best it can be: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/12478-howto-easily-make-your-fx-armor-eib-acceptable/

 

Good luck!

[2x2]

Hey Justin! Great to see someone else working on an FX in this day and age! Yay! We can divide and conquer and together gather all the resources we'll need and give each other some motivation as we go! I will def follow your build too, I'm all for a build buddy!

Thanks for the link, I've checked out that thread and a bunch of other mods and I'm starting to put together a list of everything I want to do to improve the look/accuracy of the kit, I'll post that below as my checklist.

 

Cheers!
Mel

 

 

 

Hey Melanie! Funny you should post up this kit, cause I have the exact same that I got from a dude on craigslist around 4 years ago (before I found the FISD). Just started working on it myself! From my research, I've decided that it's either FX or a JediRobe - which from what I can tell is a recast of FX.

 

I'm gonna follow your thread, and I'll post mine up soon and we can be FX buddies! 

 

One note, if I'm correct the FX is still acceptable, but needs mods. The ab buttons need to be swapped, the chest plate needs to be modded and a few other things should be done too. Here's a thread that goes over what needs to be done to make this the best it can be: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/12478-howto-easily-make-your-fx-armor-eib-acceptable/

 

Good luck!

[2x2]

Here's my checklist so far of what I want to mod on my kit:

 

1. Ab piece

 - Deciding whether or not I want to try and cut down the box areas so I can make my own and glue them on. I've got a home made vac table, but I'm not sure it's strong enough to pull abs plastic, though I've got tons of styrene... Would also need to try and create the indented area under the narrow 4 button panel on the bottom if I do

 - Also thinking about using some bondo to fill in the area around the box to make it more ANH accurate, but that will require painting the entire kit...

 - At the very least, replace buttons and paint proper colours

 - Optional (?) Separate the Cod for ease of sitting and peeing (I'm told lol) 

 

2. Chest piece

 - Trim the bottom corners and create return edge

 - Are the 'pecks' a little low on this chest? wondering if it's possible to trim the top a bit to bring them up and redo the return edge - Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

3. Shoulder bells

- Trim, taper bottom edge slightly

 - create return edge

 - heat to narrow slightly

 

4. Thighs

 - Trim notch at the top, trim proper shape at the back and try to get close to the right shape on the bottom.

 - Butt join and cover strips

 

5. Calves

 - Butt join and cover strips

 - Wondering about using heat gun or hot water to shape to each leg better?

 

6. Biceps

 - Butt join and cover strips

 - Heat left inside and create thumb print

 - Return edges? - Have to double check, I think only one end gets one

 

7. Forearms

 - Butt join and cover strips

 - Wondering about shaping with heat gun to add curves

 - Is there a return edge on the wrist end? - have to double check  No return edge at wrist

 

8. Hand backs

 - trim down and create return edge

 - mold and cast rubber versions eventually

 

9. Back piece

 - Maybe bondo up the inside of the O to make it as wide as the ANH armour.. not sure I can do much to fix here, open to suggestions

 

10. Kidney piece

- Cut from butt piece

- create return edge

- heat gun to add curve to side

- NEW: notches on the bottom corners

 

11. Butt

- Cut from Kidney piece

- Create return edge

 

12: Belt

- Make canvas belt

 

13. Drop boxes

- make inside halves of boxes, vac form (probably styrene)

 

14. Mod my MRCE helmet, but that's for another post

 

Anything I'm missing?

Edited November 12, 2016 by 2x2

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Here's my checklist so far of what I want to mod on my kit:

 

1. Ab piece

- Deciding whether or not I want to try and cut down the box areas so I can make my own and glue them on. I've got a home made vac table, but I'm not sure it's strong enough to pull abs plastic, though I've got tons of styrene... Would also need to try and create the indented area under the narrow 4 button panel on the bottom if I do

- Also thinking about using some bondo to fill in the area around the box to make it more ANH accurate, but that will require painting the entire kit...

- At the very least, replace buttons and paint proper colours

- Optional (?) Separate the Cod for ease of sitting and peeing (I'm told lol)

 

2. Chest piece

- Trim the bottom corners and create return edge

- Are the 'pecks' a little low on this chest? wondering if it's possible to trim the top a bit to bring them up and redo the return edge - Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

3. Shoulder bells

- Trim, taper bottom edge slightly

- create return edge

- heat to narrow slightly

 

4. Thighs

- Trim notch at the top, trim proper shape at the back and try to get close to the right shape on the bottom.

- Butt join and cover strips

 

5. Calves

- Butt join and cover strips

- Wondering about using heat gun or hot water to shape to each leg better?

 

6. Biceps

- Butt join and cover strips

- Heat left inside and create thumb print

- Return edges? - Have to double check, I think only one end gets one

 

7. Forearms

- Butt join and cover strips

- Wondering about shaping with heat gun to add curves

- Is there a return edge on the wrist end? - have to double check

 

8. Hand backs

- trim down and create return edge

- mold and cast rubber versions eventually

 

9. Back piece

- Maybe bondo up the inside of the O to make it as wide as the ANH armour.. not sure I can do much to fix here, open to suggestions

 

10. Kidney piece

- Cut from butt piece

- create return edge

- heat gun to add curve to side

 

11. Butt

- Cut from Kidney piece

- Create return edge

 

12: Belt

- Make canvas belt

 

13. Drop boxes

- make inside halves of boxes, vac form (probably styrene)

 

14. Mod my MRCE helmet, but that's for another post

 

Anything I'm missing?

No return edge at the wrist end.

Swap out the chest and ab plate first. I wouldn't worry about the thumb print as yet. Good luck on the Build. The biggest part is replacing the lid. Go for butt joints!

 

Marc

[2x2]

No return edge at the wrist end.

Swap out the chest and ab plate first. I wouldn't worry about the thumb print as yet. Good luck on the Build. The biggest part is replacing the lid. Go for butt joints!

 

Marc

 

Hey Marc! 

Thanks for clarification on the forearms! I didn't think there was one, but always better to double check!

 

Unfortunately I don't know that I have the funds to swap out my chest and ab plates :/ probably have to go with what I have for now - but in the future, which would you suggest? Do the suit makers sell single pieces? That could be helpful!

 

Definitely want to do the butt joints, it looks so much better! The thumb print would just be fun ;D

 

Thanks!!

Mel

[Udermeister]

Also, if I'm not mistaken, they're changing the CRL to say that the kidney notches are not required. So I spose that'd be a preferential thing. The FX kit I've heard is one of those ones that'll never be centurion approved, which is I think the only level the notches are needed.

 

Edit: Mel, I just started my build thread, so thanks for the motivation! Here it is: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/39519-udermeisters-fxjedirobe-rescuepractice-build/

 

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

Edited November 12, 2016 by Udermeister

[2x2]

Also, if I'm not mistaken, they're changing the CRL to say that the kidney notches are not required. So I spose that'd be a preferential thing. The FX kit I've heard is one of those ones that'll never be centurion approved, which is I think the only level the notches are needed.

 

Edit: Mel, I just started my build thread, so thanks for the motivation! Here it is: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/39519-udermeisters-fxjedirobe-rescuepractice-build/

 

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, I know the FX will never make Centurion, and that's okay. I still want to try and make as many improvements to the armour as I can, just for my own satisfaction

 

I am following your build!!! 

 

Mel

[2x2]

So, question regarding changing the joins from overlapping to butt joined with a cover strip...

My kit was pre trimmed so I don't have a lot of extra plastic lying around, but I have an idea to try and create the same sort of raised lip/return edge on the flat/bottom pieces of the foreamrs/biceps/thighs/shins using an iron, and then trimming the overlap edge 15 mm so that there is only a small edge remaining, and then using the cut strip on the outside, with a middle and inside strip glued on to get the right look and keep it strong. I've done up a quick diagram of what I'm trying (badly) to explain here:

 

 

So my question is, if I make this modification, is there anything about it that will prevent the armour from meeting 501st requirements (and EIB)?? Would the joint be strong enough if I left out the middle and back strips (since I am really limited on my plastic - only have the belt pieces which will definitely be needed to shim between the kidney and abs)?? 

I really want to try and make the suit look the best I can - know that's limited, but this seems like a good step to me if it's allowed...(and providing I can create the correct lip/return edge)

Any advice (other than get a new set of armour ) would be appreciated!

 

Mel

[Troopacoola[TK]]

So, question regarding changing the joins from overlapping to butt joined with a cover strip...

My kit was pre trimmed so I don't have a lot of extra plastic lying around, but I have an idea to try and create the same sort of raised lip/return edge on the flat/bottom pieces of the foreamrs/biceps/thighs/shins using an iron, and then trimming the overlap edge 15 mm so that there is only a small edge remaining, and then using the cut strip on the outside, with a middle and inside strip glued on to get the right look and keep it strong. I've done up a quick diagram of what I'm trying (badly) to explain here:

 

 

So my question is, if I make this modification, is there anything about it that will prevent the armour from meeting 501st requirements (and EIB)?? Would the joint be strong enough if I left out the middle and back strips (since I am really limited on my plastic - only have the belt pieces which will definitely be needed to shim between the kidney and abs)??

 

I really want to try and make the suit look the best I can - know that's limited, but this seems like a good step to me if it's allowed...(and providing I can create the correct lip/return edge)

 

Any advice (other than get a new set of armour ) would be appreciated!

 

Mel

Hang fire! The overlap method is cool for EIB. However,you can do butt joints and employ cover strips irrespective of the type of armour you have.

Forget about the fact that it's FX.

 

Regards

 

Marc

[2x2]

Hang fire! The overlap method is cool for EIB. However,you can do butt joints and employ cover strips irrespective of the type of armour you have.

Forget about the fact that it's FX.

 

Regards

 

Marc

Oh yeah, I know that the overlap joint is still allowed, I just wanted to make sure that if I modded things as above or similar with a cover strip, that nothing I was proposing to do would somehow violate any specifications.

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Oh yeah, I know that the overlap joint is still allowed, I just wanted to make sure that if I modded things as above or similar with a cover strip, that nothing I was proposing to do would somehow violate any specifications.

You're good to go using butt method and covers Mel

Here's my WIP threads..

 

 http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?/topic/38021-CTID's-RWA-ANH-Stunt-WIP......-501st-Here-we-go!

 

 http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?/topic/35382-Shhhh-a-quiet-fx-rebuild

 

 

Marc

[Rob .T .[TK]]

Sorry, mis post by me, now deleted . ;0)

Edited November 13, 2016 by Rob .T .

[SheaJeff[TK]]

FYI, if you wanted to use your method, you can buy sheets of ABS from Amazon in various thicknesses. I've used back and am pretty sure they have white although color wouldn't matter since they would not be seen

[2x2]

Well, a bit of a reality check, I guess.

Had a discussion with the husband, and he said that I could go as authentic as I wanted to building this kit, but as far as he was concerned, this is just a costume to him, and he isn't likely to want to go trooping or join the 501st etc. as he has enough on his plate with the groups we already belong to... So, that, and cost considerations (because I don't really have any money to spare to put towards the kit) I am probably just going to go for a basic build after all, since the suit is for him and won't fit me anyway. 

 

I am a weird combination of sad and relieved...
 

[2x2]

FYI, if you wanted to use your method, you can buy sheets of ABS from Amazon in various thicknesses. I've used back and am pretty sure they have white although color wouldn't matter since they would not be seen

 Yeah, I saw that, and there's also a place somewhat local to me that sells it too...

[T K[501st]]

Yeah, I saw that, and there's also a place somewhat local to me that sells it too...

Make sure that the colour of the plastic matches before you buy any sheets!

[2x2]

Make sure that the colour of the plastic matches before you buy any sheets!

Yeah, I plan to take one of the pieces with me when I go to get some from the plastic store, for sure!

Thanks!

Mel

[SheaJeff[TK]]

Why are you going through all of this if he's interested in any of it?

I understand the challenge of making it yourself, but it's a lot of work.

Can you make it for your size instead?

[2x2]

Why are you going through all of this if he's interested in any of it?

I understand the challenge of making it yourself, but it's a lot of work.

Can you make it for your size instead?

 

I'm actually scaling back the mods I'm going to do on this one and am just going to do a basic build. He'd like it as a costume, but he has health issues that would actually make trooping difficult for him, so didn't want me to go to all the extra effort.

Unfortunately the armour won't fit me,so I am doing a Tusken Raider for myself, but I think the TK build will be fun, and he'll have it for our friend's upcoming Star Wars themed party, so it's all good.

[Udermeister]

Bummer to hear the husband won't troop in it, but hey at least you still get to build it and it's not a complete bust! Keep it up, Mel!

[2x2]

Bummer to hear the husband won't troop in it, but hey at least you still get to build it and it's not a complete bust! Keep it up, Mel!

 

I'll never say never - because some day he could change his mind! - but yeah, I'll still have fun building it and accomplishing that I'm still excited to get to it! 

[2x2]

Did some initial test fittings for the arms, taped them on my husband with a few other pieces. I gotta admit, even just seeing it on like this makes me giddy! lol

 

Forearm and bicep lengths look pretty good to me so far, what do you think?

 

  

 

 

 

And yes, he is a little short to be a stormtrooper

[Udermeister]

I just love the way this armor looks when it's together! The bicep looks a bit low to me, feels like it should be inside the bell a bit more. I could be wrong though.

[Troopacoola[TK]]

I just love the way this armor looks when it's together! The bicep looks a bit low to me, feels like it should be inside the bell a bit more. I could be wrong though.

Here's a couple shots of how my FX was set up for the arms. Maybe try and raise the biceps a touch

 

 

 

Marc