JohnQTK5122

You don't even need a backpack to get a 501st TD designation. At least, you didn't the last time I looked at the requirements. Backpacks are an MEPD thing.

Welcome!

Congrats!

Congratulations!

Congrats, Rob!

I've always thought that the sandtroopers would have carried their E-11s in these in real life: http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_214_59/products_id/1530?osCsid=26c7ac2b0fd59829695bfd66e1fe6351 Since the E-11s are are, after all, Sterlings. And the sandtroopers are sortof "special forces" like the SAS and have lots of cool ammo pouches like this "Sterlingn SAS Assault Pack."

Very tough-looking, Rob!

Congratulations! Wow - Lots of deployments this month!

I used black nylon rifle slings from a sporting goods store. They have very nice padding - much more comfy than the unpadded straps I tried at first. They adjust super easy, too.

You could also take a look at lawnmower and other small engine filters in a store that sells those. Something like this, but more rectangular: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...%26+Accessories

Rob, I made a crude template of the outside of my RT-Mod helmet around the lens area and the scrap I have should be big enough to make two individual lens pieces if you are careful and cut it right the first time. Just make a paper template first and trace the shape onto the lens. Start off by making it as big as you can, then make it smaller if you need to. You can cut it with a pair of normal scizzors. It is a piece of welder's shield still wrapped in its protective plastic. The paper template I made is 5" across the top and the tallest part is 2 1/4 inches. You can see there's enough room on the piece to make it only slightly bigger than that. This is roughly the area the template fit on my RT-Mod helmet: I don't know how much different an AP helmet is. If you want to give it a try, PM me your address and I'll mail it off to you.

Rob, when do you need your lenses? I have some leftover pieces, but not sure if there's enough to make two lenses. However, a friend of mine might also have some, but he's in Florida for a few days.

Wow - nice work! I hope you'll post a tutorial sometime. I love to see people using handmade stuff!

I'll get up in the attic tomorrow and see how much I have left over. I have bought replacement welders shields at a local hardware store for less than $10. My FX helmet had individual lenses, my RT-Mod has a strip. I think either one works good, it just depends on what you want and how you want to attach the lense(s).

How much do you need? Do you want to make two individual lenses, or a single strip that goes across both eyes? Can you post measurements?

Thanks, Everyone!

One of my other hobbies is owning one of approximately 1,000 "Starsky & Hutch" Gran Torinos built by Ford in 1976. Each of those cars had a special order number of "PS-122" so I've been using JohnQPS122 as a username for a long time. When it came time to chose a 501st ID, I chose 5122 because it's as close as I could get to PS-122 (I wanted 7122 because P and S are both number 7 on a telephone, but it was taken). So now I'm JohnQTK5122 on most forums even though I'm not a TK anymore. I just haven't changed it to TD since my legion ID changed last year.

Looks like the photo Rubies uses to sell their costume.

Lowes also has that same brand, according to their web site. I got mine at Menard's, but I don't know what size it is and I'm not at home to measure now.

It should not be difficult at all to get everything you need for $1,000 or less - until you add a big gun and build a backpack, that is. In general, roughly speaking, approximate ballpark figures: Armor = $500-600 Helmet = $100-200 Boots = $75 Underarmor and other Miscellaneous Stuff, a couple hundred more.

Good point. If someone is selling "FX" armor, it's the older stuff. AM hadn't been mentioned in this thread, though, and it should be considered by anyone looking to buy armor. Most people who have seen it are really happy with it, as are those who have purchased it.

FX is called AM (Armor Master) now and many people really like the new AM armor. Search for it here and at WhiteArmor.net

You've got the right attitude, Dfish, be patient and take it one thing at a time. I trooped for a year before I finally got a non-FX helmet (not because they are hard to find), and it was worth the wait. There are many options available under $200, some even close to $100. There are many more now than there were a year ago. eBay isn't necessarily the best place to get one, just do some research here at the MEPD and at whitearmor.net (they know there armor over there, even if they are squeaky clean).

Congratulations Xavier! That's three deployments in one day! I say we make February 8 a national holiday - Deployment Day - and we all get it off of work from now on!

Congratulations, Dave! You look great! And I can tell you have fun with the crowds - that's cool! They love it!