TX-18301 TFU Shadow Guard Kit by WTF build
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 3:18 am
Hey all,
TX-18301 here from the Empire City Garrison.
I'm looking to log my build here of my TFU Shadow Guard kit by WTF. This can be a reference for other builders or just a build log for myself to track my progress, efforts and lessons learned. I welcome all of you to please actively and constructively critique my progress, offer suggestions and comments. I'm hoping this might be helpful to some future shadow brethren. Thank you.
Kit: Walt's Trooper Factory http://waltstrooperfactory.com/
Tools Used
Gerber Box Cutter: https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Superknif ... 987&sr=8-7
Epoxy Glue: DeVCon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N ... UTF8&psc=1
Sandpaper: Dollar Tree
Nylon Strapping: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KT ... UTF8&psc=1
Elastic Strapping: https://www.amazon.com/inch-Elastic-Sew ... 387&sr=8-5
Snaps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A ... UTF8&psc=1
Glue for Snaps: E6000 https://www.amazon.com/E6000-231020-Adh ... 625&sr=8-5
Snap Setter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005B ... UTF8&psc=1
Dremel: https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-4000-2-Pe ... 5149aa9081
Lexan Scissors: https://www.amazon.com/Du-Bro-Products- ... 579&sr=8-5
Masking Tape
Earths Rare Magnets
Accessories:
Kama: TBD
Jumpsuit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007E ... UTF8&psc=1
Gloves, boots, Belt: https://www.imperialboots.com/
Cape and Saberpike: TBD
Day 1:
I started working from less intimidating parts first so I rough cut and dremel sanded the following parts in that order: Spats, Shoulder bells, Chest, Back, Shins.
Some of the pieces had lines or creases to guide my cutting but most did not so for the most part I referenced the 501st CRL and a few helpful 501st guardian angels who have sent me pics of their armor and offered advice. For all of the rough cuts I left a large return edge then when sanding it down with the dremel I sanded it a little at time then tried it on then sanded some more. I expect to leave at least 1/8th of of inch of return on all of the parts to give a sense of armor thickness.
Walt's armor is nicely made, thicker than Anovos armor. There are some areas with wrinkles but rarely in an area that shows most are below the cut lines. His armor is pretty close to trimmed as well I found that I probably could have just dremelled my way through most it with minimal cutting.
For the next day I expect to install the strapping onto the armor I trimmed and probably sand more as needed for comfort. I still have to work on the helmet and vanbraces. After speaking with Walt and a few other folks I am going to leave it uncut and plastic well both the helmet parts and the van braces together then sand them down and paint but I'll need to build up some courage before I do. Until then the plastic glue and jumpsuit are on their way to me.
TX-18301 here from the Empire City Garrison.
I'm looking to log my build here of my TFU Shadow Guard kit by WTF. This can be a reference for other builders or just a build log for myself to track my progress, efforts and lessons learned. I welcome all of you to please actively and constructively critique my progress, offer suggestions and comments. I'm hoping this might be helpful to some future shadow brethren. Thank you.
Kit: Walt's Trooper Factory http://waltstrooperfactory.com/
Tools Used
Gerber Box Cutter: https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Superknif ... 987&sr=8-7
Epoxy Glue: DeVCon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N ... UTF8&psc=1
Sandpaper: Dollar Tree
Nylon Strapping: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KT ... UTF8&psc=1
Elastic Strapping: https://www.amazon.com/inch-Elastic-Sew ... 387&sr=8-5
Snaps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003A ... UTF8&psc=1
Glue for Snaps: E6000 https://www.amazon.com/E6000-231020-Adh ... 625&sr=8-5
Snap Setter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005B ... UTF8&psc=1
Dremel: https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-4000-2-Pe ... 5149aa9081
Lexan Scissors: https://www.amazon.com/Du-Bro-Products- ... 579&sr=8-5
Masking Tape
Earths Rare Magnets
Accessories:
Kama: TBD
Jumpsuit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007E ... UTF8&psc=1
Gloves, boots, Belt: https://www.imperialboots.com/
Cape and Saberpike: TBD
Day 1:
I started working from less intimidating parts first so I rough cut and dremel sanded the following parts in that order: Spats, Shoulder bells, Chest, Back, Shins.
Some of the pieces had lines or creases to guide my cutting but most did not so for the most part I referenced the 501st CRL and a few helpful 501st guardian angels who have sent me pics of their armor and offered advice. For all of the rough cuts I left a large return edge then when sanding it down with the dremel I sanded it a little at time then tried it on then sanded some more. I expect to leave at least 1/8th of of inch of return on all of the parts to give a sense of armor thickness.
Walt's armor is nicely made, thicker than Anovos armor. There are some areas with wrinkles but rarely in an area that shows most are below the cut lines. His armor is pretty close to trimmed as well I found that I probably could have just dremelled my way through most it with minimal cutting.
For the next day I expect to install the strapping onto the armor I trimmed and probably sand more as needed for comfort. I still have to work on the helmet and vanbraces. After speaking with Walt and a few other folks I am going to leave it uncut and plastic well both the helmet parts and the van braces together then sand them down and paint but I'll need to build up some courage before I do. Until then the plastic glue and jumpsuit are on their way to me.