Alex's Shoretrooper Squad Leader Build

[KOtrooper]

Hi Alex - that looks like a good cut line. Smart to do the tape up first for a visual. I have a bad habit of running ahead and just cutting.... then trying to fix my mistakes afterwards.

[LTCAlex]

9 minutes ago, KOtrooper said:

Hi Alex - that looks like a good cut line. Smart to do the tape up first for a visual. I have a bad habit of running ahead and just cutting.... then trying to fix my mistakes afterwards.

Thank you so much! ❤️ I'll do the same on the right shin and cut then!

Oof, I can only imagine the fixing needed after making a mistake like that! You have my sympathies!

Also, looks like my helmet kit's on the way - just got the notification. Woohoo!!

[LTCAlex]

Woot woot helmet kit just arrived! Shout outs to Imperial Surplus for quick shipping and quality product! Can't wait to figure out how to do this helmet up!

Haven't trimmed my shins yet but will get to it as soon as I have the energy. I've had a bit of a wibbly-wobbly week so I'm off-kilter some, but hope to resume my balance enough to do more work soon.

[LTCAlex]

For accountability: taped off the section on the other shin I'm gonna trim and, on both, sketched the curves out to make sure I preserve the shape.

[Minimo]

Good luck!!!

[LTCAlex]

Update: just got word that my blaster's ready! Unfortunately my Garrison-mate who did it lives pretty far away and thus the blaster is not in my possession yet but he sent me this pic! Woot! So excited!! There are many other blasters like it but this is mine!!

 

[LTCAlex]

For accountability: trimmed shin next to untrimmed shin. Note: still needs a butt ton of sanding. Gonna wait for Dremel to cool down a bit, trim the other shin, and then sand them both at the same time.

Step by step (🎶ooh baby, I'm gonna get to you giiiiiiiiirl!🎶 Oof, dating myself there. 10 pts to Gryffindor if you know who I'm referencing there.)

[KOtrooper]

Nice work!!

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[LTCAlex]

Fit test the second. Hopefully they're low enough now? I messed up on the side picture and didn't move the kama aside for a better view but I'm including it here anyway for whatever it's worth. If you squint you can still see the side view of the shin detail thingies.

Also, while I'm here, this area I've selected with a green square. For the top detail, am I supposed to cut off the rest of the plate so I can add on the sniper thingy? There's no specific mention of it and, having watched 850AW's videos, they suggest I don't, but looking at approved shores, it looks like just about everyone has. What do?

[LTCAlex]

In other news, opened up the bottom of the helmet! OMG SO MUCH DUST. ALL OF THE DUST BUT I DID IT.

Visor not opened yet nor dust washed out but that's for tomorrow when I'll have family help.

[Minimo]

Hey Alex! Looks like you have been putting in work! Nice work on the bucket! I find it oddly satisfying grinding out some resin!!!

For the Kama, is there a way to get it to sit a bit lower? Ideally you want it sitting around where the top strap would be.



Nice work cutting the shins, the front looks much better. Are the sides of the shins a bit uneven? Can’t really tell by the pic.

As far as your sniper knee; I am not familiar with your kit. I would be a bit hesitant of cutting out the top part, maybe creating a horizontal notch where the sniper covering can slide in to? That way you could get adhesion top and bottom? Maybe someone more familiar can chime in.


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[LTCAlex]

18 hours ago, Minimo said:

For the Kama, is there a way to get it to sit a bit lower? Ideally you want it sitting around where the top strap would be.

I can just sit it a bit lower on my hips. Hopefully it'll still be hidden by the belt (when that happens, which is not yet because I am still lacking my neck seal/undershirt) when that time comes. Unfortunately my access to my sewing machine has been temporarily cut off due to my current situation so I'm unable to alter things myself.

18 hours ago, Minimo said:

Nice work cutting the shins, the front looks much better. Are the sides of the shins a bit uneven? Can’t really tell by the pic.

Thanks! I think they're both even. I'll take a picture later and post it. I know my pants are a bit poofy so I think that alters my stature somewhat. I guess I'll have to fiddle around with it a bit. Or something? 🤷‍♀️

 

18 hours ago, Minimo said:

As far as your sniper knee; I am not familiar with your kit. I would be a bit hesitant of cutting out the top part, maybe creating a horizontal notch where the sniper covering can slide in to? That way you could get adhesion top and bottom? Maybe someone more familiar can chime in.

Ooh, never would've thought of cutting a notch - that's a great idea! Yeah, in their videos the 850AW guys suggest just attaching it straight to the top of the shin guard with a little block of wood (or foam, as suggested here) for a screw to attach to to keep it firm. 

Also - HELMET. I'M A STAR WARS.

[Minimo]

Awesome!!! Lol I wouldn’t be too concerned with the pants, you can always wear some suspenders to keep them high and tight! Awesome progress! Looking forward to seeing more!

[LTCAlex]

Nothing too exciting to report but I have been sanding the main body of my helmet SO MUCH, and now my shoulder hurts, but the manufacture line should be almost gone now, along with other minor imperfections. Will be starting the blast shield/s next, and then after that, attaching shin guard details.

Messaged my neckseal/undershirt vendor but haven't heard back from them yet. Hoping all is well with them, as I will admit to my impatience beginning to build, even though I completely sympathize with Darth Real Life being evil right now.

Hopefully will be able to get a move on with the rest of it soon enough?

[LTCAlex]

Pictured: a metric ton of sanding. I don't really know if it's all visible here, as most of it just seems to be resin dust, but keeping a record here for accountability. I think I've done the best I can on the main body of the helmet. The blast shield/s had minimal correction that was easily done with my dremel and hand sanding.  

Since I'm gonna leave painting/weathering to do at the same time as the rest of my armour I guess next step is attaching the shin details. Still haven't heard back from neckseal/undershirt vendor. Tempted to start looking elsewhere if I don't hear from her soon. Haven't paid her for anything yet so it'd be nothing lost. I'd still like to support her though, as she's a fellow Canuck. 🤷‍♀️ I will give her more time before I do anything though.

[TKZombie]

You need to bondo fill that centre seam and sand that out before you move to paint. 

[Minimo]

You need to bondo fill that centre seam and sand that out before you move to paint. 

This! Also not sure of it just dusty but it looks like it has good amount of surface imperfections, you can try filler primer until you get everything nice and smooth. This is common in some casts. I have done that for all my casts parts.


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[LTCAlex]

2 hours ago, TKZombie said:

You need to bondo fill that centre seam and sand that out before you move to paint. 

Will do! Thanks! 

44 minutes ago, Minimo said:

This! Also not sure of it just dusty but it looks like it has good amount of surface imperfections, you can try filler primer until you get everything nice and smooth. This is common in some casts. I have done that for all my casts parts.

Filler primer? I'll take a look for it! Thanks. 

Yeah, painting's still a while off until I get all the top parts done too. I'mma paint/weather it all at once to hopefully maintain consistency between helmet and armour, but this is definitely good stuff to know. Thanks to both of you!

[Minimo]

Yup, it’s used quite a bit to smooth out 3d printed parts, but works well on casts too. Essentially you will add 1-2 coats, then sand/wet sand,and repeat this process until you get the desired smooth finish!

If you decide to go this route make sure to tape of the areas that you will be gluing, such as the blast shield, you want glue to adhere to the raw cast not filler primmer...

It can be tedious work, but definitely worth it IMO!!!


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[KOtrooper]

On 4/11/2021 at 7:17 PM, LTCAlex said:

 

Yeah, painting's still a while off until I get all the top parts done too. I'mma paint/weather it all at once to hopefully maintain consistency between helmet and armour, but this is definitely good stuff to know. Thanks to both of you!

You don't need to worry about painting all at once or in stages. The Montana Gold paint is very easy to work with and blends well (if you need to touch up some spots). I'd paint as you have time. Your helmet might take more work to prep than you think.

It is a good idea, however, to do the weathering at the same time to be consistent. Even that, though, you might end up doing multiple passes as the light (or your mood) changes.

[LTCAlex]

7 minutes ago, KOtrooper said:

You don't need to worry about painting all at once or in stages. The Montana Gold paint is very easy to work with and blends well (if you need to touch up some spots). I'd paint as you have time. Your helmet might take more work to prep than you think.

It is a good idea, however, to do the weathering at the same time to be consistent. Even that, though, you might end up doing multiple passes as the light (or your mood) changes.

Ooh okay, 'cause yeah. Today I was planning on filling in the helmet seam and anything else on it that needs filling and sanding it accordingly once that hardens. The weather's been pretty good lately so painting would be a real good idea. I'll start painting when I can then! Thanks for the advice.

Still waiting to hear back from my neckseal/undershirt vendor but at this point I'm gonna start looking for alternatives because not being able to fit/trim my top plates is holding back my progress. Blech. Was hoping to avoid shipping/exchange on the neckseal/undershirt but looks like that's not to be.

[LTCAlex]

Ordered Montana Gold Yellow Cab for eventual bicep painting and some spackle to fill in my helmet seam and other things with. Paint will arrive soon and spackle will be picked up tomorrow. Until then maybe I'll chip away at my shins I guess.

[TKZombie]

You said “spackle” not sure what you meant by that. Hopefully not spackle for drywall patching. 
 

I’d recommended bondo glaze spot putty for filling the seams and imperfections. It dries quick, sands easily and well. 

22 minutes ago, LTCAlex said:

Ordered Montana Gold Yellow Cab for eventual bicep painting and some spackle to fill in my helmet seam and other things with. Paint will arrive soon and spackle will be picked up tomorrow. Until then maybe I'll chip away at my shins I guess.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bondo-glaze-spot-putty-133-ml-0475662p.html#srp

 

[LTCAlex]

Just now, TKZombie said:

You said “spackle” not sure what you meant by that. Hopefully not spackle for drywall patching. 
 

I’d recommended bondo glaze spot putty for filling the seams and imperfections. It dries quick, sands easily and well. 

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/bondo-glaze-spot-putty-133-ml-0475662p.html#srp

 

...um, looks like my house's gonna have some spare spackle then. >_> Bondo will be on order then! Thank you.

[LTCAlex]

Messaged The DarkSide Closet to see how much one of their shirts is. Am hoping it'll be affordable.

[Edit: Just ordered! They said it should be ready in about three months or so. It'll be nice to finally have the shirt/neckseal (they do a one piece shirt/neckseal combo) which'll make all the costume!! Well, I still have to manufacture the slot for the shoulder straps on the back plate but one step at a time.]