A tad overwhelming (buying armor kits)

[Guest slum87]

Hello! I just started trying to get the pieces together for a suit of Scout Trooper armor. This will be my first suit of armor and I'm brand new so, needless to say, my head is spinning a little trying to sort through all of the various vendors, links, and quality guides.

 

Anyways, after quite a bit of rooting around, I've come up with these guys and just wanted to see if anyone could offer me thier opinion on them before I begin buying anything.

Thank you!

 

 

ARMOR

http://studiocreations.com/howto/bikerscout/bike_armorforsale.html

 

HELMET (I've got a big head and live in a hot climate, so this ones important)

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Biker-scout-trooper-helmet-kit-prop-for-star-wars-collectors-not-armor/82610959

 

JUMPSUIT

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Safety-Racing-Proban-Single-Layer-One-Piece-Economy-Suit,2466.html

 

I'm still working on locating boots, gloves, and a blaster, but I figure I might as well get started on the big stuff.

[stasz]

Welcome!

 

I think you'll find the general consensus to be:

 

SC armor is a solid choice. I'm finishing my SC kit as we speak. Lots of scouts use this gear.

 

That helmet, you're gonna want to pass on. It's a pretty lousy sculpt amongst other issues (unreliable seller is a big one).

 

I looked at that racing suit myself when I was getting started, and it was and still seems to be available only in XXL. It would be a great choice without a ton of modding if that size works for you.

 

Read a lot, ask a lot of questions.

There's a ton of great folks here ready and willing to help!

[Guest slum87]

Thanks for the advice, trooper!

[Chunk]

Welcome!

And pass on that helmet, everything is wrong with it & you don't want to do any kind of bussiness with Star Fortress. You see that name stay away far away!!!

 

Next the suit is ok, but for the price & the mods needed you might want to pass too. You can buy a RedKapp work coverall shipped for under $40. If you have basic sewing skills you can find tutorials here to make a basic or Lancer quality suit cheaper than that racing suit. Do your homework here. The ridingsuit is not just any ole black jumpsuit. There are lots of mods needed to make it a basic 501st riding suit. Collar tab, remove all pockets, add 2" elastic to the theighs & lets not forget the riding patch & mud flap.

 

You can't go wrong with SC for the armor. Great service! had my kit in hand in 6 days. None of this if you want the best you gotta wait(18mo) crap. The helmet is a decent size too. Recently I placed my KS next to an SC & they were almost the same size. So why not get the kit & helmet from SC together.

 

If your not the sewing type, there are people here who can make it for you. Just need to know where to look

[Guest slum87]

I'm not so good at sewing, myself. So the closest I can get to the jumpsuit possible would be good. The fewest modifications still needed, as it were.

 

I'll have to find one of these "people" of whom you speak.

[theisaac]

you can order a WampaWear.com black jumpsuit that has the collar already sewn for you. Seam ripping pockets is as easy as it gets. Youtube "seam ripping".

 

That being said, you would save a TON of cash if you can learn to sew a few basic parts or make friends with someone who can.

 

You can get away with not sewing your own stuff, but you pay for that level of ready. It's an option I hate to see people make if they don't have to.

 

Good luck.

[DarthShlomo]

I'll have to find one of these "people" of whom you speak.

 

Best advice any potential member can ever be given is to find the local 501st Squad in their area. You are guaranteed to find people who have had to make the same decision when assembling their kit and made mistakes so you can learn from them. Most, if not all, Legion members are more than happy to help to guide a new member through the pitfalls of making their first costume.

 

You have a distinct advantage (I may be biased) of being within the borders of the Florida Garrison. We are an extremely large Garrison with several active Squads. Your location says that you are in Orlando, which puts you square in Makaze Squad territory. So let's help you reach out to the local members.

 

The Florida Garrison forum. Make sure to register here (if you haven't) and introduce yourself.

http://www.fl501st.com/boards/

 

The Florida Garrison on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/TheFloridaGarrison

 

The Makaze Squad on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/MakazeSquad

 

Reach out to folk on any of these locations and you will find a lot of members ready to help you out. And you can never go wrong with reading posts and tutorials to see what mistakes others have made and what tricks work to get you approved.

 

Hope this helps!

[Guest slum87]

Speaking as a Hollywood Studios cast member too, winterg, I am almost POSITIVE I have seen you march before.

 

I think I even talked to you on your way into Star Tours last year.

 

Oh, and I have a friend in costuming who might be able to help me sew.

[Guest slum87]

So. My armor kit just arrived in the mail, but being a bit technically challenged, my head is swimming trying to get this thing together.

 

Does anyone know a good youtube link for the assembly process? I'm mostly getting stuck on what straps are for what parts of the armor.

I got my kit here: http://studiocreations.com/howto/bikerscout/bike_armorforsale.html

[stasz]

I haven't seen a complete beginning to end video for armor, but there may be one out there. Did you get the instruction sheet?

 

It took me a little bit, but I was able to discern what was what with the parts diagram and a measuring tape. Re Velcro: "hook" is the rough side, "loop" is the fuzzy soft side.

 

The shoulders, knees, and biceps have 1.5" elastic with black hook sewn to the ends, and attach to white adhesive loop inside the armor pieces. The forearm has 1" elastic with the same Velcro setup:

(The top strap on the knee is 1/2" elastic that's riveted in place - not included in SC kit)

 

The thigh boxes use the 1.5" white cotton (instructions call it "web", but it's the cotton strap:

 

The back of the belt uses the 2" web (nylon type strap) with non adhesive white hook and white loop sewn to the ends:

 

The chest and back armor use the 2" white elastic with white hook (non adhesive) sewn to the ends, and attach to white loop inside the armor:

 

The shoulders use the T-Strap. SC instructions use the 1.5" black hook to make the strap, but I switched to 1.5" elastic with hook sewn on the ends. Either way. This attaches to white adhesive loop on the underside of the shoulders, and the inside top of the shoulder bell:

[Ammonites]

There are build threads across the boards here. Be sure to check with your local garrison, too. If you want to experiment with making soft bits yourself, a white bed sheet at the thrift store can give you enough cheap material, about $3 or $5, to make (or screw up on) about three cummerbunds. Same with the vest.

 

Always more satisfaction when making it yourself, but there are always people who could do the work for you. I made a new cummerbund myself and will be making others, but I stink at hard armor assembly.

 

Question while I'm here. Is the T-Velcro on the shoulders specified anywhere or is it a personal choice?

[stasz]

As far as I know, the T-strap was something that SC came up with as an effective way to mount the shoulder bell and hold the chest/back shoulders together simultaneously. Not specified anywhere, just convenient.

 

I talked to a guy who sewed magnets into his flight suit and corresponding magnets glued to the bell. But the strap at the bottom of the bell is required.

[KDX125]

Welcome!

And pass on that helmet, everything is wrong with it & you don't want to do any kind of bussiness with Star Fortress. You see that name stay away far away!!!

 

Next the suit is ok, but for the price & the mods needed you might want to pass too. You can buy a RedKapp work coverall shipped for under $40. If you have basic sewing skills you can find tutorials here to make a basic or Lancer quality suit cheaper than that racing suit. Do your homework here. The ridingsuit is not just any ole black jumpsuit. There are lots of mods needed to make it a basic 501st riding suit. Collar tab, remove all pockets, add 2" elastic to the theighs & lets not forget the riding patch & mud flap.

 

You can't go wrong with SC for the armor. Great service! had my kit in hand in 6 days. None of this if you want the best you gotta wait(18mo) crap. The helmet is a decent size too. Recently I placed my KS next to an SC & they were almost the same size. So why not get the kit & helmet from SC together.

 

If your not the sewing type, there are people here who can make it for you. Just need to know where to look

 

Chunk you mentioned you placed your KS next to an SC-and they looked about the same-any preferences if there could be only 1? The KS is a bit cheaper than the SC, but I'm likely going with SC armor. Im nervous about the extra cost of the SC helmet (since buying finished) but if its worth it, and maybe a bit slimmer profile (not a huge head, medium, 23") then maybe its worth it.

[Guest slum87]

Alright, my armor is totally assembled, but the problem now is with my flight suit.

 

There are visible zippers that I don't know what to do about, and I don't possess sewing skills, or a sewing machine, to attach the butt flap or side straps.

 

Does anyone know of a person I may be able to purchase a completed flight suit from? Or perhaps who might be willing to make one? I can pay.

My work has been forcing some serious overtime lately.

[stasz]

No chance the zippers will be covered by your vest or armor?

 

The Redkap coverall is easy to mod: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004KJPTLC/ref=s9_simh_gw_d0_g193_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-1&pf_rd_r=1MB7X7478SW8YKDXDJ08&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2068141862&pf_rd_i=mobile

 

I was able to do most of it by hand, with zero sewing skill.

I did have some help with the bigger adjustments like taking in the legs and sleeves.

 

Check with your garrison for someone local who could help with sewing.

 

The Wampa Wear flight suit is close, but still needs suede, and possibly some other tweaks. Not exactly sure.

CB does a flight suit, but I'm not sure of his good standing as a vendor currently.

[Guest slum87]

http://www.evolutiontoys.com.ar/index.php?id=item&item=352

 

Does anyone know if this is a good buy here?

 

And no, apperently the zippers are easily visible and the flight suit is too baggy on me without some serious hemming. I'm thinking it might be better to just replace it with the one in the link above. It seems to already be completed and movie accurate.

[Chex]

I would purchase a redkap and then PM Chunk here on our boards. He can do suede mods and the collar mod for you.

[BikerScoutDawn]

Where do I find out what mods I need to do to the flight suit? I bought one and thought it was good and just needed to add the suede to the back and legs - didn't see any things to remove on the 501s page where it describes the flight suit so I am obviously missing something

[stasz]

Here's the CRL flight suit section for a quick reference:

Flight Suit

For 501st approval:

See the Scout Trooper Flight Suit page for detailed images of the patches described below.

The undersuit is a one or two-piece black textile suit, such as military flightsuits, motorcycle racing suits, industrial work clothing (Dickies), or similar suit modified appropriately.

Must have a suede or faux suede butt flap attached above the waist hidden by the cummerbund, rectangle in shape. The flap is slightly narrower than the width of the trooper and stop slightly higher than the bottom edge of the troopers backside.

Suede or faux suede thigh patches must be present, extending over the flight suit crotch and down the front finishing above the knee armor. The thigh patches must be secured by 50mm (2") black elastic, sewn in under the front and back of the thigh patch.

 

*Suit must not have any visible labels, logos or zippers (including built in flight suit pockets).*

 

Is this what you meant by things to remove?

 

If your suit didn't have any, then you're good to go

 

If so, a seam ripper will make quick work of pockets or patches. I'm not sure what the best way to deal with visible zippers would be.

[TreeDodger72]

I have limited sewing capabilities and modified a RedKap suit. It looks good. I ripped the pockets off myself and used one of those to make the neck closure. My mom helped me take in the legs as they were a bit baggy for a woman's legs. I didn't feel comfortable doing the riding patches, so I made the patches and took it to a local seamstress to sew in, it cost me around $10 for that. The mudflap was pretty easy. Short version, you don't have to be a tailor or seamstress to mod the RedKap and it is not so expensive even if you need outside help.

 

Good luck.

Juli

[Nexous]

I went with Redkap and it's been great so far, fitting wise it works and modding wise as everyone else has mentioned is fairly easy... I am not very good at sewing myself so I had a local tailor do it and he is a bit pricey, but overall I think I paid $30 for the suit and maybe $30 in materials + services to get everything sewn in.

[Chuckmn8]

I know what you are saying on it being a tad bit overwhelming but when you get a grasp of what you are looking for it all sort of makes sense. When I make my kit I plan on attempting to sew most of the stuff and if it fails there are a number of tailors locally for me that is I need them they are there. I look forward to seeing your build progress as I should be starting the ordering game shortly for mine.