WTF First Time build. Need some feed back, thanks in advanced !

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Nice work, a bit of info on the tube stripes:

Helmet Tube stripes are medium blue, numbering between 9 and 16 per side with the curve bends extending backwards. Tears, traps, and tube stripes may be hand painted, decals, or decals that replicate hand painted.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Traps/tears and tube stripes shall have the correct ANH TK details. Ideally, the tube stripes are positioned approximately a pencil width from the side of the cheek. Fall of tube stripe tops ideally lean toward the front.

 

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

2 hours ago, Woody said:

I got some more painting done today. I outlined the stuff I had previous just rough painted , and cleaned up the teeth as glen suggested. Next are tube stripes and the fine black lines in the grey areas. I was on trooper bay and have the tube stencils down to “ standard” and “hand painted” does anyone know what ones are used for a new hope stunt? Thanks for your time and any input as always!

Dave M (hand painted) decals are what is normally used for L3 centurion (or hand painted) 

Masking template

https://trooperbay.com/product/stormtrooper-tube-stripe-masking-templates-star-trooper-wars-armor-cosplay-costuming-sci-fi-501st/

 

You can see the stripes are slightly different, emulating "hand painted" 

 

 

Full decal kit 

https://trooperbay.com/product/dave-m-helmet-hand-painted-look-decals-anh-stormtrooper-star-trooper-wars-cosplay/

OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):

 

• Tears/traps shall be hand painted or use decals that emulate hand painted (with correct ANH TK details).

 

 

You can also make your own tube stripe templates, I used painters masking tape, use white first to fill any gaps in the tape, then go over with the blue.

 

[Woody]

QUESTION TIME!

 

Okay I have highlighted with blue where I left 7.5mm on the front ridge which will be covered with the 15mm cover strips So we are good there. Is there a rule of thumb of the back of the forearm? I will use a 15mm cover strip there aswell. 

 On the back of the forearm where the cover strip goes does that size of ridge matter ? Or no as it will be covered with a 15 millimeters cover strip aswell.

 

Lastly , when I start my biceps next, should I start with making each side 7.5millimeters on the front ridge on each piece that’ll be covered by the front cover strip and then size them from the back?

thanks as always!

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Correct 15mm front and back, same on biceps. Also ridge should be same front and back, unless you need to leave more material for larger sizing, you would also use a larger cover strip on the rear if sized bigger.

 

I normally trim standard size on front pieces and size the back to what is needed, most would use standard 15mm sizing front and back.

 

Thighs 20mm front and back (unless you need bigger sizing)

Shins 20mm front and 25mm back to allow for velcro or hook elastic.

[Woody]

Thank you! So I have them fitted , and front ridges are good but the back ridge is bigger then my front , I am going to try and glue tomorrow.

 

is it a huge deal if that back ridge is a little different from the front ridge? As long as both have 15mm cover strips? If so I’ll have to order new forearms. I misunderstood the first thing I read about sizing. 
 

lastly, when I line these up , to the tops parts matching there is excess material on the bottom. When I line up the bottoms there is excess at top. I can post photos tomorrow, but what do people usually line up and what side is trimmed ?

 

Thanks again you’ve been a big help!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Normally if required we add bigger cover strips on the rear as the public don't see our backs that much, as long as they aren't HUGE, if they are too big it's better splitting the sizing over front and back. I would fill the ridge area rather than using 15 mm on the rear if your ridges are wider.

 

Align the bottoms of pieces as you can trim the tops to suit.

 

 

 

 

[Woody]

awesome, I will glue to fronts tomorrow with the 15mm strips and add photos of the back and go from there and see what’s the best options appreciate it!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

If you are interested in a read there are a few threads on sizing and larger cover strips

 

[Woody]

Got the front forearms glued yesterday onto the biceps today and maybe even some more helmet work. 
 

Edited October 8 by Woody

[Woody]

Got some more painting done , now back to the forearms and biceps. Tube stencils should be here tomorrow. The rest was hand done, no stencils, from looking at photos. 

 

 

 

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

You may want to try to fill the trap area 

 

Also your rear lines appear to be on an angle, may need to straighten those

[Woody]

Thanks Glen, I had seen some helmets that went kinda how mine is and some that filled up the whole trap, I will change this and fill the trap in with gray and re outline, secondly , I worked and worked to get the back helmet lines as close as I could, those look good to you?

 

thanks as always, 

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Your outlines appear ok. Also with this paint only do thin coats, can take time to dry in between but will give you a better finish 

[Woody]

Well, I’d like to think besides the screen inside of the frown, the helmet is complete. Happy with the final product.

 

 

 

 

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking better but I would still try to space out your cheek trap lines a bit more

 

Also note your brow trim angles upwards towards the back

 

Nice work

[Woody]

What’s the best advice on handling the brow trim?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

20 minutes ago, Woody said:

What’s the best advice on handling the brow trim?

You could remove the rubber and trim some material off the edge, you don't want to take too much off the front though or the brow will be higher, but you have room there.

[Woody]

Awesome , will work on that thank you!

[Woody]

Thigh help, what would be the correct way to trim the top of the thighs? 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

3 hours ago, Woody said:

Thigh help, what would be the correct way to trim the top of the thighs? 

 

Cover strips can follow the thigh tops, if there is an angle trim to suit

 

 

If you need to trim the thighs for sizing I would recommend trying on all the pieces first and taking photos, for those of a shorter stature you can add mobility cut outs to the bottom of the thighs and tops of the shins, again this should only be done once you are fully kitted up and take some photos.

 

With trimming the tops of the thighs you would try to follow the shape which is already there, just taking some of the height off.

 

Hope that makes sense, only one coffee so far today  

 

 

[Woody]

Thanks glen ! As always you rock !

[Woody]

Do these trim lines look correct?

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

12 minutes ago, Woody said:

Do these trim lines look correct?

 

You can trim them like that if you wish, BUT you can also leave them how they are, it's entirely up to you, many pieces of armor had the ends all differently cut/angled/straight.

Check this out, albeit on the arms, one cover strip stops short and the other is cut angle,   

 

Just make sure you nip off the corners, angled or rounded, again up to you  

 

[Woody]

Great! These fit perfect as is so I am going to leave them just wanted to confirm, I don’t want to take too much off the top as I am 6 ‘1 and need the height lol, thank you!

[JBar[TK]]

When in doubt leave as much plastic as possible but definitely trim for comfort. If it helps here's the shape of mine. Keep in mind there is some leeway on what is acceptable as each cover strip and armor seam is unique