jwcave Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Hello everyone. I decided a few weeks back that my first build and attempt to get into the 501st would be a Shoretrooper. I'm pretty new here and haven't had much to offer, as I've mostly been learning. Reading, reading and more reading, here and at Mr Paul's page, Shoretrooper Fam, etc. I have to say, everyone seems so helpful and I hope I can help contribute in some way. So, with that out of the way, I thought I'd start a thread here to document my progress and hopefully receive feedback and constructive criticism. Here's where am I in the process: KW Design armor kit has arrived Orca Bay boots ordered and shipped from Katherine Partis (with 10 pound discount!) Montana gold paint has arrived Kama ordered from Tony Lenci, should be here in a week or so E-11B from Hyperfirm ordered (I think the smaller blaster is better for the squad leader) My wife is going to attempt to make the pants for me So today I took my first step and started trimming my shoulder bells. As a newbie, I must admit I was nervous about making that first cut. But the power of the dark side compelled me to suck it up and get to work. I'd love some feedback, so here are a few pictures of my shoulder bells. Do they look OK? Do I need to keep sanding them back? Have I taken too much off? I'll do my best to post updates every week or so and I'm hoping to be completely finished and approved to join the 501st Bluegrass Garrison before Halloween. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8271 Rogue Trooper Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Wellcome Great choice of costume and armour maker Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwcave Posted June 12, 2018 Author Share Posted June 12, 2018 Still trimming....there's plastic bits all over the garage. Aside from the shears I bought at Home Depot, my belt sander and dremel are the best tools for this job. So far so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST79211 Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 God luck with the projekt, looking forward to seing more. 😉 Sendt fra min F8331 med Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwcave Posted June 24, 2018 Author Share Posted June 24, 2018 Small update: went to FL for the week on a much needed vacation, so I didn't get a lot done. At this point, I only have the backpack left to trim. I'll get that finished this week. I also received some packages in the mail: my Orca Bays and E-11b blaster. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwcave Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share Posted July 4, 2018 I'm nearly done trimming and have starting to piece things together. I've got two small holes on the chest to trim out for the collar and I've got to get the small rectangular hole trimmed up properly on the backpack. I started gluing the details together on the ab section as well. I've need to smooth out the imperfections from these large cutouts. Putting detail boxes together. Once painted, I'll mount them inside the backpack. I've also been doing some sanding. ABS is very slipping and shiny and I want to ensure I get good adhesion with the paint. Thanks to a tip from the FISD boards, these little fabric bags are holding two rare earth magnets each. The fabric helps hold them, pull them apart, etc. Great tip! I've got my shirt on order from Sheev's Emporium and replacement belt boxes from Paul Prentice. I also received my squad leader belt buckle and pyramids from Bone Buddrus. They are fantastic and the turnaround time was amazing. I highly recommend him if you need anything. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikerScout007 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I have a KW kit on order so I'll be watching this thread carefully! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bshoots17 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 I’m planning on purchasing a KW kit, I’m going to be following along with your build! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwcave Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 First major mistake made and thankfully I had taken time to use E-6000 instead of CA glue. This detail part in the center of the ab section goes on correctly only one way. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that until the next morning after gluing it down. The square part looks symetrical and it appeared I had put it on correctly. Once I looked at it in the morning, I realized it was slightly tilted upward. I gently popped it off and removed all the glue with some nail polish remover. Flipping the piece lengthwise made it fit MUCH better. It looked right when I initially glued it but I didn't lift the whole section up to notice that it was not flush. Lesson learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwcave Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 I have a KW kit on order so I'll be watching this thread carefully! I’m planning on purchasing a KW kit, I’m going to be following along with your build! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk os Thanks! If you aren't on the KW private Facebook page, let me know and I'll do what I can to help get you on there. Tons of photos that are really helping me understand this kit versus others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bshoots17 Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 os Thanks! If you aren't on the KW private Facebook page, let me know and I'll do what I can to help get you on there. Tons of photos that are really helping me understand this kit versus others. I don’t think I’m on it, I’m used to Kevin having tutorials on his website! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikerScout007 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 os Thanks! If you aren't on the KW private Facebook page, let me know and I'll do what I can to help get you on there. Tons of photos that are really helping me understand this kit versus others. Kevin added me when I ordered his kit! I'll make sure to read through it carefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8271 Rogue Trooper Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 If you have any questions , post them up as I have built the KW kit to Vanguard standard Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikerScout007 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 If you have any questions , post them up as I have built the KW kit to Vanguard standard Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Oh Stefan, did you not think I was going to be bothering the hell out of you already? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwcave Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 So on the KW kit, there is a swooping piece that connects the chest piece to the backpack. I'm not the average trooper from the movies, as I've enjoyed a few too many bowsl of ice cream in my time. At 6' 215lbs, this kit is tight around the entire torso, so I need to open it up a bit. I picked a spot that seemed pretty straight and decided to add in a shim. I chose this location because I thought it would be more hidden being under the arm than trying to add to the front or back of this piece. I hope I'm not making a big mistake. My first effort was too large and I'm not meeting as well as I'd like. I'm going to make the shim smaller and more of a wedge shape, refit with the backpack and once correct, strap from the back, attempt to add a return edge, then fill, sand, etc. I'm hopeful that I can make this look like it was that size all along. While I was at it, I also got the front buckles glued down. There was a lot of consternation on this part, as I was trying to make it as perfect as possible. I finally realized that I was probably overanalyzing everything and I just needed to pick a spot and glue the things down. The candle is not part of the build, at least not at this time. I'll be working on the straps and connecting to the backpack next, as I want to get all of that correct before I finish these side pieces. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwcave Posted September 30, 2018 Author Share Posted September 30, 2018 I'm pitiful. Life (mostly work) has gotten in the way of my fun. But I've taken the last two weekends to accomplish some work. I think I can still make my goal of Halloween but I'm not sure if my bucket will arrive in time. Anyway, here's my current progress. Forearms - I'm gluing one side and using velcro on the other. On the KWDesign (now Imperial Surplus), the raised detail is built into the overall form. This leaves, essentially, an empty hump on both sides. I filled one side with the hook portion of velcro and on the other, I added 2 strips of ABS to fill in the gap. That way it can be glued directly to the inside. Then finish off with the detail strips. The biceps were essentially the same. I also had to trim the inside of the bicep to make the cutout deeper. With my Sheev's shirt on, I needed a bit more room. At this point, my arms are ready for paint. Moving on to the shins, I'm going to try not actually attaching them to each other. I trimmed everything up to where it matches nicely and then drilled holes for zip ties. The ties will allow more flexibility when putting them on/taking them off. They will be covered by the shin plates. I absolutely have to work on my midsection this week. At the very least, I have to figure out my total size over the armor because I need to order my belt from Rob Kittle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.