Great Lakes Garrison & Base

Got my first costume gear! The boots arrived, and they look great. They do run a bit thin, like I was told by someone, but since they don't have half sizes, I got a half size bigger than I normally wear, and they should be ok.

Anyone have any specific advice about where to get the holster and belt?

Yeah, I've heard about the dremmel. Sounds scary. It sounds like something a guy like me would use to over trim his high priced armor. I guess I'd better study the tutorials pretty hard. As for the under suit, I got some advice about eastbay.com. Anyone ever buy from there? I was told it was same qu...

Alright! Have ordered the boots, armor, and blaster. If I have time this weekend, I'll be researching more carefully the body suit and smaller accessories. Thanks again everyone for the tips! My biggest challenge will be trimming the armor when it arrives, so I'll be scouring the forums again. I've ...

Oh, that looks cool as hell! I'll check it out!

OK, it's official - I've ordered my very first piece of ESB Stormtrooper equipment. The TK boots are on the way. I've also got an e-mail in to the local ATA maker and have requested to be put on the waiting list for the ATA ABS armor and helmet kits. This model seems to be more fitting to my needs, ...

Thanks everyone for the assistance, but I have decided to with a Stormtrooper. I do not have the girth to fill a Vader costume, and the cost is more efficient for a Catholic school teacher like myself!

Hope to join your ranks soon as an ESB trooper.

Ron

Thanks for the advice, everyone! It's making it more clear what to get and what not to.

I got a message from Mark who makes AP. He will be sending me pics of his work, but does anyone on here have experience with him?

Leaning towards the ATA ABS armor, but still researching. This seems to be what I want, as reviews have said it's the most durable, and very authentic. The boots on the other site are less than half the price than the one you suggested. Both look high quality and authentic, so unless I hear differen...

OK, here goes! I am a newbie, so I need all the help I can get. I was directed towards the TK boots, and found this website: http://www.tkboots.com/ The cost on there is $54, sans shipping and taxes. Is this a good price, and more importantly, is this a reputable and authentic website? The boots loo...

Gotcha, Flash - thanks, and I will heed that suggestion about having just one thread. Looks like these boots will be my first official purchase.

OK, I know I have some posts about being a Vader on here, but I've decided to go Stormtrooper. Can I delete my own posts? Also, I was given advice to get TK boots for an ESB Stormtrooper. Has anyone used this site, and is it a good quality and authentic boot? The authenticity looks good to me compar...

After some painstaking thought, I've decided I would not be a great Vader due to my size. I have the height, but not the girth. So, I either stop exercising and eat four times more per day than usual, or I go with a Stormtrooper costume to be a part of the Michigan Garrison of the 501st! First quest...

Thanks, Lumpy. I think it's pretty clear now that I should go Stormtrooper. I won't say I am disappointed about the Vader part, but I am such a Star Wars fan, being an authentic trooper will still be a lot of fun. Besides, in real life with my real gun on the shooting range, I'm not a great shot any...

Oh, cool! Thanks so much for all of the info. I've heard horror stories about being Vader, but I still have the heart to do that if I fit the costume. However, I truly do feel that my body type is more Stormtrooper or Boba Fett. And I would go ESB classic, not a Snowtrooper or a big gunner. Besides,...

That's kind of what I figured. I am trying on a Vader outfit, and if I am swimming in it and wouldn't be approved, I will probably go Stormtrooper. Thanks!

Has anyone out there recently built a Boba Fett costume? I was originally hoping to do Vader, but I may not have the body type at 6'1" and 170 lean and mean pounds... just not the girth for Vader, possibly. I'd like to research Boba as far as cost and construction. Anyone out there have any adv...

I was reading the SLD forums, but I can still not reply or post there since my request to be included has gone unanswered. So, would anyone here know about the Vader boots? Many postings I saw talked about the Chippewa brand boot as a very good one, but all that I've seen have a buckle across the an...

So, like so many other things, it's 'you get what you pay for!' Thanks, I will heed that advice! :) For the most part, but Ask, Ask, ASK!!!! before plunking down change on anything ( ESPECIALLY eBay). The Imperial Officer uniform, for example, is among the most misunderstood costumes in the 501st (...

If you want to do work on your own, you can save a ton of money. Still has to be accurate, but you pay for the labor. Most people have normal jobs and squeeze this awesome hobby into there free time, and that is what you pay for. But like Terrell said, paying top dollar is NOT always the way to go....

So, like so many other things, it's 'you get what you pay for!' Thanks, I will heed that advice!