SB_Sneetch's AM 4.5 ANH Build

[SB_Sneetch]

Look at what showed up!   A fully painted/built @fieldmarshall e-11!   This has seriously just become my best Star Wars collectable I own.  My family is getting tired of me running around the house saying 'Pew Pew' 

 

Thanks so much to Chris for all the effort and dedication in reproducing such an amazing prop.   Now I just need to get my armor done....

 

 

More pictures here:

https://imgur.com/a/xmPMKSZ

 

 

[MaskedVengeance[Staff]]

Sweet looking blaster! I’m sure it feels super solid in-hand. How heavy is it?


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[SB_Sneetch]

I think around 4.5 lbs.   Really solid and great to hold.  Makes me feel like a stormtrooper for sure!

 

[SB_Sneetch]

Ah where does the time go?   So here it is almost Halloween 2023 and my AM kit is still sitting in storage waiting for assembly.   

 

While I found building Vader straight forward, I couldn't get my head wrapped around all the concepts and parts without getting overwhelmed.   Even working to overcome that by focusing just on one part at time, I was/am hesitant to cut into the ABS and make an unrecoverable mistake.  So after several valiant attempts to get moving, it has been packed back up for quite a while.

 

Fast foward to now, with a new 3D printer that has a build volume of 420 x 420 x 500mm (16.5 x 16.5 x 19.7 inches) I used the referenced files to print my 2023 Halloween costume!  It has been great to be able to hold 'completed' sections of the armor and understand how it is constructed versus holding the 2 halves of the AM kit together  and trying to imagine what it would look like.   

 

I will update this thread with some of the final prep work with the suit getting ready for Halloween and trick or treat night of course, but here is a black series helmet with the printed armor.   I have been working on the velcro strapping and getting the sniper knee and thigh ammo pack e6000'd in time. 

 

I know the strapping is not up to the trooping level of snaps or original equipment, but this is all for one evening of fun so I am alright with it.

 

 

 

 

[SB_Sneetch]

I am calling this blitz project DONE!   It has been a very enlightening experience:

• for how the armor is constructed
• How the strapping should work
• 3D printing snafu's and ultimate impacts to the overall prints
• The challenge of suiting up
  • The repairs to sub-par velcroing and why real troopers use better solutions
• Painting is hard

Good news is I am much more aware of what needs done and why on my AM kit.

 

Here are some pic of progress:

i.imgur.com/76YrNsv.mp4 (snippet of helmet dome printing)

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Great work. I don't think there has been a 3D print project yet that I haven't had to make an adjustment or two to them, all a learning experience.

 

Now get stuck into that AM kit, it's getting lonely sitting in that box 

[SB_Sneetch]

Ugh, so as an update, I ran out of time trying to get suited up so as a consolation prize I have built a mannequin for him and now he can stamd watch over my gaming sessions.   That was a seriously fun project to undertake and got me all geeked out again on star wars.   I am working on printing a DLT-19 for this guy and want to spend a little research time on constructing a Shoulder paldron and backpack as the sandtrooper from ANH is without a doubt my favorite trooper.

 

I seriously love this pic of him holding a skull wondering why I have it.    He seems a  bit upset as he is gripping his thermal detonator a little too aggressively...

 

 

Edited December 6, 2023 by SB_Sneetch

[revlimiter[Staff]]

Wow. That printed armor came out beautifully!!! Well done. Also well done to @ChrisThePropGuy !!!

[SB_Sneetch]

Thanks guys for the compliments, yeah, I overall love it.   Chris did some great work on the model there is a lot of subtle variances in the helmet,  Be aware, if you do go the full route, The shins that came with the set are not ready for actual printing since there is no gap down the back and stylized too aggressively to 'slip on'.   To get around that I grabbed his v1 set (free) which has the shin armor with an opening in the back.  While I still don't think it is up to spec, it is definitely serviceable.  (the only thing really worth keeping from v1).   

 

Oh the other thing I didn't print is the coverstrips, for the main reason being, while positively they are curved already for the part of the armor they are meant to be applied to, it is that  same curve that makes them hard to print cleanly.    I think it would have been nicer to have cover strips straight/flat and appropriate length, that way they would print more cleanly.   Also at time of installation, just run the strip under a heat gun to make it malleable enough to adapt to the  curve of the armor it is covering.  The secondary reason is most people wouldn't notice the added detail and with the exception of the shins, is completely cosmetic, so I saved on the filament/energy cost.

 

 

 

 

[SB_Sneetch]

I hadn't seen anyone give the rubber trim a 3d makeover so here is what I have so far.   I think it is great match (if you don't mind the print lines and gloss) and as for filament I have tried both a 86A and 98A TPU.   The 98A is too stiff but prints really well.   The 86A seems to be the right flexibility yet I had an adhesion issue (too much) and initial print ripped off and was unusable.   

 

 

 

What I don't know is how this trim aligns with what was originally used.  I couldn't find any good pics of just the trim bits along my journey.   If you by chance have one and would like to see it become a 3D file, please let me know.   I would love to get that captured.

 

[SB_Sneetch]

My new printer is down for the count, the x-axis belt snapped and the y-axis belts seem to be wearing out quickly.   It is unfortunate as I have some 3D print files lined up in queue.   I have submitted a support request to anycubic so will see how long that takes, in meantime I think it would behoove me to buy some timing belt and learn how to install it to get back up and running.   I also have another issue with the printer which I believe is also a hardware based issue, and that is the inability to succuessfully handshake to make a WIFI connnection.   I believe the printer can receive but not send signals as I am not seeing the printer mac address come across on my router.  

 

For those interested seeing printer pics of the various issues. https://imgur.com/a/wC6Ordi

 

I also finished printing the DLT-19, the t-tracks were the last thing that successfully printed.  That was a huge positive, the printer was able to crank out 1 TK ANH armor set and 1 DLT-19 before it said no more. 

 

Of course, holding the DLT-19 made me start want to look for a more 'realistic' version, not a real one for a plethora of reasons but a replica that was not cost prohibitive.   I quickly found @jkno post which shows the beauty in all it's glory.    So I now have one of those on order....     

 

 

While I want to say you all are a bad influence on me, it really is quite the opposite.   I so appreciate the knowledge and passion shown here that I am inspired to build something amazing.

 

[SB_Sneetch]

The MG34 replica arrived and oh my what a sight, it is a beauty to look at and hold.   I have had it for a couple of days now and still walking on cloud 9.   It is exactly what I was looking for and an amazing price.   Even got to support a small business to boot.   

 

My FDM printer update

• Still out of commission awaiting vendor provided replacement parts
• Replaced X and Y belts (aftermarket)
• Update firmware to latest
• Z-axis leveling sensor failed (new issue)

While waiting for the vendor parts I changed the belts with some aftermarket parts and noticed the vendor released a firmware update so downloaded that and applied it to the printer.    As directed, I reran the initial printer setup which checks homing  ability, bed leveling and printer vibration check.   Unfortunately a new problem appeared which was pushing the printer head into the print bed platform due to the proximity sensor not behaving properly.   I checked all the cables to ensure everything was plugged in correctly and tightened up the machine x, y and z adjustment nuts and even downgraded the firmware to prior revision.    Same result, the head is forced into the print bed causing the motors to bind and causing the print head to  dislocate from the rails.   So yet another support ticket was submitted.

 

After some quick back and forth checks, they are sending the following due to verified issues:

• X-belt
• Y-belts 
• Y-Motor assembly and mounting hardware
• Print head module
• proximity sensor

While I am disappointed the printer failed so early in its use, the vendor has been extremely prompt and very supportive to resolving my issues.   Compared to other experiences I have had in the past, I am confident that they will  get me working  again.