First, thanks for the time you took to put up this video! That shoes your devotion for the community! I am planning on buying a Stormtrooper costume around May from 333trip… Any comments on these costumes?

Thanks freakengine! Waiting for the voice changer tutorial….

Thanks, Rawgee. I’m not familiar with 333trip except for the fact that I’ve seen his auctions. You can get the same armor for less if you get to know a few people in your local 501st garrison.

Word on the street is that at least one FX seller will be offering an updated helmet with his FX kits later this year as well. Most people like the FX but the large helmet doesn’t get a lot of love. Many people use the FX armor but replace the helmet with a more accurate one.

Also check out TK1536.com for some very good armor insights regarding TE2, AP, TM, and FX armor.

Great tutorial. I’m about to get my TK armor and while I’ve been around the 501st already I had yet to see the armor put on step by step.

The foam in the forearm pieces is great too!

Fun that you have “costumebot.com” as well! If you’d like to take submissions on any of the costumes I’ve done, please let me know… such as weaving a Hagrid beard.

Thanks, Noel. Just remember, there are many ways to strap and wear an armor kit. I’m partial to my way, of course, but check out as many different methods as you can before choosing what works best for you.

We may open up the site to outside submissions in the future. I looked through your costume pics and really liked what I saw!

Do you have any recommendations of where to get a stormtrooper helmet that isn’t fx version? I have the full fx suit and the helmet is a little bit too big for my short neck!

Andy, your least expensive option would be the Master Replicas CE UK exclusive. Don’t fret if you aren’t in the UK, though. These are being imported and sold on the bay and at several online vendors including redford films. Last time I checked they still had them for $90 plus shipping. The order page can be found here at redfordfilms.com.

These helmets are symmetrical, unlike the originals, and will need a few mods but they’re a LOT better than the FX buckets. I’ll be posting a full video review and a tutorial about the mods in the near future so stay tuned for that.

The accurate fan-made helmet kits start at $250 and go up from there. My fave is the helmet from Trooper Master.

I hope this helps. Thanks for checking out the site!

Sweet, that helps alot! Thanks for posting the video of how you have your armor too. I’ve had problems with my thigh pieces and the belt idea you use is genius. I look forward to your upcoming videos!

Hi, I am 6′-0″ and only around 140lb so I’m not that large. I am fairly new to armor kits, and was thinking about looking for a kit(FX sounds to be the less expensive and I lack the equipment to prepare my own) on eBay(if that is the best and more reasonable site to purchase from). Any trustworthy sellers you would recommend or any tips you could share? Thanks!

Josh, I’d say you’re the right size for more accurate armor if you have the time and money to put into it. The FX kit is nice but not at all accurate. It looks good, is durable, and relatively inexpensive, but the helmet is really losing ground fast. Word has it that the FX kit is getting an upgrade this year but it will probably take longer than expected for the new version to be released.

If you’re looking to stay within a reasonable budget, I’d get an FX Lite kit (no helmet) and purchase another more accurate helmet to go with it.

As to sellers, they really need to stay underground to a certain degree so they won’t get sued by LFL. We do favors for George so he does this favor for us, leaving small-time armor vendors alone unless they attempt to make their armor into a big commercial venture. If you’re really interested in learning about a variety of sources, I’d recommend joining the forums of your local 501st garrison and of the MEPD at MEPD.net where I post frequently as freakengine. Introduce yourself and read the existing threads, then ask around. Most of the reputable vendors post on MEPD frequently as well.

Good luck!

yo kiero uno igual pero no soy un tipo con mucho dinero…habra alguien ke lo venda barato …soy un chileno ….es decir un stromtrooper desnudo…

Enrique, the best that I can make out, you’re asking about inexpensive sources for armor in Chile. There is a 501st Legion outpost there and their members could be of some help to you. Their web site is at http://www.501st.cl/ . Good luck!

gracias por tu respuesta..con respecto a tu informacion ya me he contactado y no hay respuesta alguna…ya no importa…buscare respuesta en otras latitudes ya ke en mi propia tierra no contestan…sigo siendo un stromtrooper desnudo…

Hi, I’m trying to find a stormtrooper costume. Where i’m mainly looking is Amazon.com. And they don’t have fx. They have deluxe and this super exspensive armor. Also I’m 6 foot 3″ and 130 pounds. So please!!! Email me where I can buy one!!! Also I’m not paying alot so I’m leaning to the inexspensive side.

hey there thanks for doing those stormtrooper videos for use. i was just wondering if you have done the documentery for the sound system in the stormtrooper chest yet if so please tell me where to find it and do you have any cheep stormtrooper armour for me and let me now if you do because i live in the uk and its hard to find it here thanks again.

Hi Sam,

No sound system tutorial yet. I’ve been busy with tutorials for the halloween season but will be getting back to other trooper tutorials in the future.

As far as cheap armor sources in the UK go, I’d suggest contacting the UK garrison of the 501st. They have a site at http://www.501stukgarrison.com . Good luck!

thanks very much for that and i will look out for the other trooper videos in the future.

He i was just wondering is fx armour the best armour and helmet you could buy because if it is i would like to buy some.

Sam, the FX kit is FAR from being the overall best kit out there, but “best” means different things to different people. Check out my Stormtrooper Info page. You’ll find a link up at the very top of this page.

Great info, much appreciated for sure. You mention doing a sandtrooper mod tutorial in the future, but I can’t seem to find it. Am I blind, or have you not had a chance to make it yet?

You’re not blind. I haven’t made the sandy mod tutorial yet. My wish list is long but my free time is practically nonexistent these days. It’s certainly something I’d like to put together eventually.

Ive been into numerous forums and webpages, to try n find out which StormTrooper kit/set to make/purchase.
Im 5.4/169cm tall and slim. Since im female and most likely smaller than most of the troopers out there, im afraid that FX will be too big for me to even try and fit?
Id just like to know if anyone have any clue which set would be the best choice for me.

YOUR VIDEOS ARE GREAT. I HAVE A QUESTION ON YOUR BODY SUIT. WHAT TYPE DO YOU RECOMMEND? I SEE THE LYCRA SUITS BUT PEOPLE SAY I’LL GET TOO HOT. SOME SAY USE AND UNDER ARMOUR BRAND SUIT. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

@Mia – I’d recommend you look into an AuthenticProps (AP) suit. It’s much smaller than the FX but is made of ABS so it’s durable. It’s also a much more accurate suit than the FX. See the Stormtrooper Info link at the top of the page for more info on what’s available.

@neil – I use a knockoff UnderArmour-style, two-piece suit. I think mine was made by Reebok. In the Summer it feels absolutely cool and comfortable. You might need something warmer on cold days but since I’m in Southern California I don’t know much about that.

Hi, Excellent video Tom. I’ve just purchaesed a FX armour but not sure what glue to use. I’ve heard that for the legs, where you have one side glued and the other velcro’d that the glue needs to be good on the glued side. So should you use hot glue or abs cement ?
also on the industrial velcro, does this have glue on the velcro like standard with the peel off strip, or should you use glue as well
thanks
Brian

Hi Brian. Thanks for the kind words. You should absolutely use ABS cement to assemble parts where you have plastic on plastic. ABS cement actually fuses the plastic together to form a permanent bond.

As to other bits you mighty glue to the plastic you can use hot glue but be sure to rough up the plastic you’re gluing to with a little sandpaper.

The industrial velcro has a superior adhesive already applied so that should be sufficient. If it ever comes loose (mine never has) you can always reattach it using SA glue (AKA super glue – I like Zap A Gap brand).

Good luck!

Hi I was wondering hpw ypu gpt the fx armor.Did you buy it or did you make it?If ypu bought it where did you get it and do they make costume sizes like for teens and how much are they?

Alex, the armor I have in the video was purchased as a kit. However, I don’t endorse any specific armor vendors due to the tenuous nature of the relationship between the 501st and Lucasfilm.

Check out my STORMTROOPER INFO page (the link’s up there at the top of this page) for more on the different armors out there and also look in on the forums at MEPD.net.

As to teen sized armor, there hasn’t been any mass produced to date because it would kind of be a waste of money if you’re still growing. I’d suggest at least waiting until you’re done growing before spending big bucks on this sort of costume.

I have a another queiston how is the armor sized?

Some kits are larger than others but generally speaking you assemble it o fit you. That can include cutting it down. You can even see this in Ep. IV when Mark Hamill is wearing a significantly trimmed down chest piece.

ok thanks I just watch your video at the top and I love your armor nice pick and nice job! Oh and also how much would you say it would cost for one of the kits just it’s self?

@Alex: Kits can be had from $500-$2000. For sizing you just have to try trimming theings and cutting it a little at a time. Measuring doesn’t really help. What link are you talking about?

The MEPD.net link oh and also I found a fx armor kit on ebay for 1.60 but the shiping is like $70.00 Us dollars

@ Alex, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, five comments posted in 90 minutes is not cool. The MEPD site works just fine and has updated info on undersuit sources. This changes all the time. I really don’t know anything about that child-sized armor. Purchase at your own risk.

thanks sorry about the so many posts It’s just I’m new to this hole thing and I have so many quiestons and I’m a little impationt.But after today I learnd how to wait. Well anway thank you very much.

Alex, I’m happy to help. Just understand that I’m not here to hold anyone’s hand through the whole thing. That’s why I refer people to the MEPD. It’s an excellent resource and unlike some boards most members are friendly. Once you visit the forums there you’ll see why I can’t possibly answer all the questions you (and others) have. There are just too many variables. Good luck with your armor.

Hi Tom,

My name is Will i’m from The Netherlands and ready to join the 501st over here but before i’m going to send pics an info of myself to them i want to update my FX armour with just one thing, the voice changer . what can you tell me about that, and i mean where can i get one and what about good quality?

by the way really injoy your videos and not just the ones whit al the starwar but all of it.

hope to hear from you. greats from Holland , Will

Hi Will, Thanks for checking out the site. I’m not a big fan of the “static burst” style of voice amp that so many 501st members are crazy about. I find a simpler setup works very well and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I used a good quality Shure headset mic in my helmet and a Radio Shack speaker/amp (catalogue number 277-1008) in my chest plate and I think it sounds great. I just took the shell off the speaker/amp and hot glued the parts directly to the chest plate. If you do want something with the static burst the ROM-FX board is probably the best option, albeit an expensive one. It can be found at http://www.romfx.com . Good luck, trooper.

hi tom love the tutorials r u doing the one about the voice changer hope to hear from u soon tony in the uk.

Thanks, Tony. I’m currently buying parts for a TIE pilot costume and will probably do a tutorial for that which will include the sound system. You should know, however, that I’m not a fan of the pricey static burst options that are out there. I prefer straightforward amplification. The static bursts in the vid were added in post.

Hey I’m a college student that means I’m broke however I want to get my hands on a set of this armor I’ve been trying to for a long time now. Do you know anywhere I could get a set it doesn’t have to be finished or painted It could be straight out of the mold I’m a resourceful kid I know how to do that and have the equipment to. I’d really really like to spend less than 200 dollars I would greatly appreciate your help thanks.

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you will not find a set of armor in your price range. It just isn’t going to happen. Just the boots alone are usually around $100. When you buy the armor, that’s only half the battle. I used over $50 worth of industrial velcro, $50 for an undersuit, $100 for boots, $30 for gloves, $200 for a blaster, and the list goes on. Even if you found a suit for $200, trust me – you wouldn’t want to be seen in it. This is an expensive hobby. I’m currently working on a TIE pilot costume and even it’s going to run me well over $600. My advice would be to hold out until you can afford it comfortably. Like I said, I know you don’t want to hear that but I’m shooting straight with you.