Great Lakes Garrison & Base

I have a new ATA stormtrooper kit that's been sitting in my basement for two months. It's been a long time since I've assembled armor, and I know I don't have all the tools needed.

Honestly, I'd like to commission the helmet out. I've tried a couple people and they're too busy.

I was thinking of having an armor party/classic video game party in Jan or Feb when work slows down.

Blasty Trooper wrote:I have a new ATA stormtrooper kit that's been sitting in my basement for two months. It's been a long time since I've assembled armor, and I know I don't have all the tools needed.

Honestly, I'd like to commission the helmet out. I've tried a couple people and they're too busy.

Same here, I also have a set in my basement. And I have not assembled any armor.

Excellent news on the armor, Jon. Didn't you already use an ATA helmet with your current armor, though?

Mr Fett wrote:Excellent news on the armor, Jon. Didn't you already use an ATA helmet with your current armor, though?

Yes, but I have doing something different planned for this, still 501st approved though.

Ah, ok. Either way, at least you'd have a full time dedicated U of M trooper out of your original armor, then.

Correct!

The movie style armor will take longer to do than your original FX set, because of the butt-joint seam method on the arms and legs. But it's not really bad. Would take a few days worth of solid work to build your set.

Mr Fett wrote:The movie style armor will take longer to do than your original FX set, because of the butt-joint seam method on the arms and legs. But it's not really bad. Would take a few days worth of solid work to build your set.

So when should I come over?

Just trying to judge the work load time to build one from kit form. It’ll take a number of times……

On my own ATA suit, it took me 2 evenings after work to build the helmet.

I bought the partially completed armor body off Ripcode, and he already had butt joint assembled the biceps, forearms, shins, and the front of one thigh….as well as fully trimmed all the other armor parts out.

To finish it off, I did one armor party with 4 other TKs and we put in a good 10-12 hour day of solid work. Then, a second armor party with just one other TK for easily another 6 hours or so to get it to completion.

If I had to take a guess I probably put 60-80 hours into mine. But I had the AP kit that goes straight from the vac table to the shipping box.

Flash wrote:If I had to take a guess I probably put 60-80 hours into mine. But I had the AP kit that goes straight from the vac table to the shipping box.

That's pretty much how the ATA sets come as well.

I have a helmetless kit sitting in my basement as well. Some of the parts are huge and I could definitely use some help with sizing. I am already starting work on the easier arms, shoulder bells etc.

This would be awesome to see how y'all do it. I'm debating either a biker scout or snow trooper to start in the near future.

Brewski wrote:I have a helmetless kit sitting in my basement as well. Some of the parts are huge and I could definitely use some help with sizing. I am already starting work on the easier arms, shoulder bells etc.

Step 1: Stop your TK buttplate from hanging straight down the back of your legs.
Step 2: Everything else.

I will plan on having an armor party on Jan 24th weather permitting unless some cool event comes up that day.

I had been thinking about having one too. But it wouldn't be until classes are over the first week of December and would need to be before they start back up the second week in January. I've been wanting to do some work on my Ghostbuster proton pack and thought it would be fun to have people over while I work on it.

I have a heated garage and some basic tools(dremel, snap tool, leather punch, etc...). If you needed any specific or specialty tools, you would need to bring it.

I'll check with the wife and check into a possible date.

Jon, Scott, Greg – I’ll help any of you with your TK stuff. It’ll take multiple armor parties so if any of you go to Mow’s and Flash’s (preferably both), you’d be able to knock some of it out. For now, go to whitearmor.net and just read a ton, and start doing the small things you can do at home.

Chris Balk also has an ATA helmet kit he got to replace his FX helmet that he wants me to help him with, too, but his schedule has been busy so haven’t gotten together yet on that.

Mowskwoz wrote:I had been thinking about having one too. But it wouldn't be until classes are over the first week of December and would need to be before they start back up the second week in January. I've been wanting to do some work on my Ghostbuster proton pack and thought it would be fun to have people over while I work on it.

I have a heated garage and some basic tools(dremel, snap tool, leather punch, etc...). If you needed any specific or specialty tools, you would need to bring it.

I'll check with the wife and check into a possible date.

If you have yours in Jan I can move mine to Feb.

Mr Fett wrote:
Step 1: Stop your TK buttplate from hanging straight down the back of your legs.
Step 2: Everything else.

Agreed that does seem to be a problem