TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Long time lurker, first time poster. My inner nerd has come out in a huge way the past year or so and I've always loved the biker scouts over every other stormtrooper. My littlest one loves Wookies and is going as one for Halloween so I figured it'd be nice to start up a set of armor so I can go around with her. After reading a lot around here, I have a few questions like most. I see that many go with SC armor and a matching helmet or one from Kropserkel. I'm 5'8 and have the large Asian dome so I'm curious if a Kropserkel helmet would fit me best as I've read the SC helmets run on the smaller side. Also, my search fu is weak and I was wondering if there is a detachment in or around Idaho that I can pick other scout troopers brains in person. Besides read more, research more, and take my time, any other suggestions from those more knowledgeable and have been there, done that, and bought the armor? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stasz Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Welcome, Nick! It looks like Timberline Garrison in your neck of the woods. They can be found here, with a link to their forum at the top: http://www.idaho501st.com You're on point regarding armor. SC is solid stuff, and a huge selling point is it's really accessible and their customer service is top notch. There are other very good armors and buckets out there with varying degrees of availability/time frame/cost etc. There is much info to be had in the respective forums on each armor component. KS or Altmann are the go to these days for the large dome crowd. Honestly, you said the rest: read, research, patience... And don't hesitate to ask questions. We're here to help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Greetings Nick and welcome to the BS.N forest! It's great to have you! This is a great place to learn about all things Pathfinder and there are tons of folks here that are ready and willing to help you. I would encourage you to check out the Idaho Garrison at: www.idaho501st.com . The best advice I can give is to look around and get engaged with the folks around here. Check out the armory forums and build threads and you'll be able to hear from those that have gone before us what they did, used, and built. You'll need five posts to access the Trade Forum so make yourself at home here and if there is anything we can do to help please let us know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 If you guys had to choose a starting point of a build, where do you recommend starting? Soft stuff, helmet, or other stuff? Or does it all depend on budget? I figure this will be a multi part build with things being purchased as funds allow vs dropping a whole metric ton of credits on everything at once, so....where's the most logical place to start in your opinion? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Well looks like Stasz got there before I did We're both wearing SC so it's good stuff and he's an armourer so he's in the know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stasz Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 If you guys had to choose a starting point of a build, where do you recommend starting? Soft stuff, helmet, or other stuff? Or does it all depend on budget? I figure this will be a multi part build with things being purchased as funds allow vs dropping a whole metric ton of credits on everything at once, so....where's the most logical place to start in your opinion? I did my boot build first, then picked away at soft parts while I saved up for armor. It was a pretty natural progression and helped me build up my confidence before tackling all the awesome parts There's not really a right or suggested order, but that worked well for me. Time and budget allowances will likely dictate what one can do, and when... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 Funny that you mention prison. Worked at a few for 8 years and perused the website on graveyards trying to figure out exactly how to get everything. Aaaaaand...submission sent for the Idaho Garrison! Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stasz Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Haha! Typing in these scout gloves ain't easy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 If you guys had to choose a starting point of a build, where do you recommend starting? Soft stuff, helmet, or other stuff? Or does it all depend on budget? I figure this will be a multi part build with things being purchased as funds allow vs dropping a whole metric ton of credits on everything at once, so....where's the most logical place to start in your opinion? The first place to start is research, research, research. get to know the Costume Requirements Listing or CRL via this thread: http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showforum=63 . This will help familiarize you with all the various parts of the Scout armor and sundries. From there start looking through the Biker Scout Armory which contains threads on the significant pieces that make the Scout up. It seems that most folks begin with their boots and work up from there but you can certainly move at the pace that best for you (and your wallet ). The most important thing not to lose sight of is keep it fun and realize how many folks you can touch by doing something you love to do. Check out this thread for an example: http://forum.bikersc...howtopic=15255. Hope this helps get you started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 In your guys' opinion, what's the hardest part of the build? Besides funding that is. Sewing? Molding the armor to fit "you"? And I'm a bit on the husky/sumo size. Not Porkins size but not the tall/skinny Asian type. 5'8 and 225. Short and squat. Would I look weird/awkward? Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stasz Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 One of the really cool things about the Scout is that it's really flexible for different body types, since the hard armor is spread out. Basic sewing skills will get you through modding coveralls into an approveable flight suit. That was the toughest part for me. Basically learning to sew (with a little help from my mum). The hard armor shouldn't require all that much modification, aside from attaching strapping. Maybe a little bending or "opening" a bit, but nothing difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 Luckily for me, the wife just got a new sewing machine this year so I can have her "practice" her skills by making some of the soft stuff like the cummerbund and the pouches. A few of the other things, I have priced out and seen but I might delve into the previous threads to see what else she can work on to "practice" her sewing skills. Might have to spend a bit more at JoAnn's Fabrics here in the next few months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 You secure that talk trooper! Awkward indeed! It all depends. Some folks are a wiz with a sewing machine (I don't like those people because I stink at it ) and some with armor. I enjoyed working my armor making it look as good as I could and my skills lie in scale modeling and building so that was natural to me. I used a heat gun and sealing iron to do things like returns and molded the armor to fit my body shape. I had all my soft armor made by the talented folks here but did the rest myself. None of it will matter when you suit for the first time because you'll look freakin awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Luckily for me, the wife just got a new sewing machine this year so I can have her "practice" her skills by making some of the soft stuff like the cummerbund and the pouches. A few of the other things, I have priced out and seen but I might delve into the previous threads to see what else she can work on to "practice" her sewing skills. Might have to spend a bit more at JoAnn's Fabrics here in the next few months! I would suggest heading over to their website and go through their coupons and weekly deals you can save some pretty good money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 Talk secured, SIR! Now...with that being said, how well have others been with purchasing items from the Trade forum? I've read that there are a couple of lids for sale there, and I figure, might as well see what is out there and maybe secure that first which will then give me motivation to finish everything else. Any buyer beware type advice before dropping coin in the trade section? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stasz Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 I'm confident that we're a tight knit group here, and good people. Makers are vetted, and Troopers selling gear are often doing it to upgrade. Buyer Beware always, but I don't personally know of any trade forum issues since I've been around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stasz Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 When you start looking beyond our borders though, it never hurts to pop on and ask if you're unsure of something. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 When you start looking beyond our borders though, it never hurts to pop on and ask if you're unsure of something. Stasz is right on point. If you have any questions or doubts before dropping coin give us a shout out. The armourers are the best folks to ask as they are experienced in all aspects of the gear and are looking out for the troops but you can let any of us know and we'll do our best to help. We have a saying "troopers helping troopers" so we look out for one another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 It's all exciting and scary since I've never done this before. I'm a collector of other things and I can see myself hunting the trade forum for pieces of gear like I do my other hobbies for that "deal". And it's always refreshing seeing the brotherhood and comradery that I've seen no matter which trooper board I've visited. Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 I'm a Lego SW junkie so I know exactly what you mean Nick! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 Dude...I have Slave 1, the Millennium Falcon, and Poe's X-Wing so far. Saving the coin for some AT-AT's and some A Wings so I can make my own Hotham battle. Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 18, 2016 Author Share Posted May 18, 2016 Hey Peter...just got done reading your epic build thread. Makes me extremely jealous and don't think I'll have the knowledge or know how to do the things that you did. While reading I thought to myself, "I wonder if this guy is an engineer in life..." Sure enough, I was right. LOL. Epic build man. You and Panda make me envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Haha! Thanks for the compliment Nick. Those words sound familiar.....I said them exactly when I looked at Panda's thread . I was like what the heck did I just get myself into? There is no way I could do something epic like that. Yeah I'm an aero engineer but that doesn't mean you can't make it look as good if not better than we did. You're doing exactly what all of us do and that's read and research the armor and building techniques. You CAN do it my friend we were all where you are and it's the folks around here that helped me along. If you noticed my build thread you also saw all the input and encouragement I was receiving while building. Ya just gotta jump in and we'll be here to help you every step of the way cause that's what troopers do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-8215 Posted May 19, 2016 Author Share Posted May 19, 2016 So while doing my due diligence and research, I am wondering for those considered "too short to be a stormtrooper", were there any modifications that people did to their armor or soft items such as shortening certain measurements and the like? I know its all body dependent since people are built differently but curious if there were certain things that shorter troopers do vs those that fit the "mold". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrofire Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 I'm 5'9" 170lbs and the SC worked for me with minor mods. I love my armor! The armor fits smaller scouts just fine. Here's a thread where BlitzJager has a picture and he's 5'6" or so: http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?showtopic=15258&hl=&fromsearch=1 I did some mods to fit the armor closer to my body shape and I talk about those in my build thread but they're not hard by any stretch. The soft armor is where the sizing really counts for obvious reasons. You want the vest, cummerbund, and flight suit to fit you comfortably and look good. The armor is relatively easy to modify with a pair of lexan scissors and a heat gun but cloth isn't as easy so you want that stuff to fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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