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HappyTrooperDotCom

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Posts posted by HappyTrooperDotCom

    HappyTrooper's Mission Journal - 56 Troops

    in Tours of Duty

    Posted

    This thread details the adventures and travels of HappyTrooper (TD-10900) while proudly serving with the Mos Eisley Police Department.

    My first 501st Legion costume was Sandtrooper armor, I was approved on April 18th, 2016.

    The following photos were taken on location with the men and women of the 501st Legion.  All suspects are guilty until proven innocent.

    Roundel2Blog.png

    Help promote the MEPD!

    in The Barracks

    Posted

    Troopers, due to an increase in Rebel activity, the MEPD is up to its green lenses with paperwork...we need your help.  Our propaganda minister is looking for recruitment material that can be broadcast on social media.  With your help, we can promote the MEPD, help others join the elite force that makes us what we are, and most importantly, put down the Rebels forever.  We do get some great photos in the troop logs, however, this central location will make it easier to identify social media worthy material.

    We are looking for any cool photos of you decked out in your dirty armor that are:

    -funny
    -in a cool location
    -groups of Sandtroopers
    -anything you think that would make a good social media post

    Please include:

    -your TD ID#
    -a good caption for your post!
    -(optional) your Instagram account name so we can tag you! (Thank you for the recommendation HenselMonster)

    I know it probably goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway.  Let's keep it tasteful, and try to avoid any fan faces in the photos.  Some folks may not want their photos broadcast across the galaxy.

    So troopers, hit us up with your best social media photos here!   We'll do our best to get them on Facebook and Instagram.  Thank you for your assistance.  

    Through the sand and blood, we protect with honor and serve with pride!

    • Upvote 1

    New Users, introduce yourselves here!

    in New Members

    Posted

    1 hour ago, 762s said:

    hello troopers!

    im from virginia, and joined up back in early july with my local garrison and with the pathfinders.  although a biker scout will be my first build, im still waiting on parts to show up so, during the waiting/downtime i decided to go ahead and sign up with all the detachments within the 501st that i could.  browse the forums around the 501st and see possibly what might be my next build.

    thanks for accepting me and hope to see some of you all out there someday!

    Hey there 762s, I'm in VA too...in Inferno Squad (Northern VA).  Hope we get to troop together some day.  Good luck on your build.  Enjoy your stay at the MEPD, we've got an excellent group here!

    • Upvote 1

    Almost there....

    in Sandtrooper Armor

    Posted

    I agree with Airborne Trooper with the elastic.  I have an Anovos TK kit.  It came with wide elastic straps for this area, but used velcro.  I used the straps that came with the kit, but made snap plates, glued them in with E6000 and put snaps on the elastic straps.  It has been great.  The elastic has some "give", keeps my chest plate pulled over my ab plate, and seems to help pull the ab plate up a bit.  I'm happy with this configuration.

    Here's a pic of the snap system:
    IMG_7103.jpg

    And with the snaps on:
    IMG_7104.jpg

    Good luck with the final steps!  BTW, your pack looks great.  Love the shade of blue/gray that you have.

    MG-15/RT-97c Scratch Build with Templates

    in T-21, DLT-19, RT-97c Heavy Blasters

    Posted

    Hello Sand Lovers,

    LoveMonkey previously posted the video for this build, I wanted to expand on it and provide a one-stop-shop for the templates and ingredients.

    I'd like to acknowledge PandaTrooper...he inspired me with his T-21 build.  It was my first scratch build, he helped me take that first step, which eventually helped me draw out some rough templates for a few other scratch builds (DLT-19, lightsaber hilts, and Fett's EE-3 ESB).  I'd also like to thank TK409.  I picked up a few pointers from his build, which can be found here: http://www.tk409.com/images/mg15/tutorial/index.html

    Please check LoveMonkey's post in this forum, he made some weight improvements by using different types of pipe.  Because this blaster is made of wood, metal, and PVC, it has some weight to it.  If you are wearing a pack, this will weigh you down even more.  

    I like playing dress-up and making videos, so the procedures are in video format.  Here's the video.  Please check below for some more photos and a list of raw materials.  This will give you an idea of what is required to take on this project.  If you like to build stuff, this is a fun project to tackle, and very rewarding.  Feel free to change any of the methods, materials, tools, etc.  I'm sure that you can find things to improve upon...and if you do, please share with the rest of us!

    MATERIALS

    PVC & WOOD TEMPLATES click here FREE
    1” wood (¾” actual) for blaster handle     click here $9
    ¼” wood for ammo drum mounting plate & handle grips     click here $2
    2” PVC pipe (2 feet) for body     click here $5
    2” -> 1.5” PVC reducer coupling     click here $1
    1.5” -> 1” PVC bushing     click here $1
    1” PVC pipe (2 feet) for barrel     click here $3
    ½” EMT conduit     click here $3
    3” couplings x 2 for ammo drums     click here $3
    1” PVC coupling for muzzle     click here 50 cents
    Plastic sign for ammo drum covers     click here $6
    2” pvc cap fitting     click here $2
    1” Binding post screw to secure grips     click here $1
    Utility runner to cover ammo drum sides (2 feet to be safe)     click here $5
    ½” diameter PVC sch 80 nipples (10”) for front scope     click here $1
    ½” PVC coupling for front scope     click here 50 cents
    Shrub sprinkler head for front scope     click here $2
    #10 knob for scope greebly     click here $3
    1.5” corner braces to mount front scope     click here $3
    Rain bird 4” sprinkler for rear scope     click here $4
    ½” to ⅜” hose barbs x 2     click here $7
    ½” x ½” x 12” braided supply hose line     click here $5
    90 degree corner angle plates for rear scope mount     click here $2
    #8-32 1” Oval head machine screws     click here $2
    #8 finishing washers     click here $2
    #8-32 nuts     click here $1
    #6-32 x ⅜” round head machine screws and nuts for ammo drum covers ~18     click here
    #8-32 x ⅜” round head machine screws and nuts for both scope mounts click here $1
    #8 1” wood screws to secure handle to 2” PVC pipe     click here $1
    #6 x ½” pan head sheet metal screws to secure 90 degree angle plate     click here $1
    ¾” to 1-½” hose clamps x 3 for rear sight, and 2 on the 1” PVC pipe     click here $4
    7/16” to 29/32” hose clamp for top sight     click here $2

    TOOLS

    Jigsaw
    Hacksaw
    Dremel or other rotary tool 
    Lexan scissors
    Drill
    Various drill bits
    Screwdrivers
    Center punch (optional)
    Mitre box and/or vice
    Clamps
    Sandpaper (60, 120, 220, 400 grit)
    Paintbrush
    Star Wars Pencils
    Ruler
    Painters/Masking Tape
    X-acto knife
    Glass mat (optional)

    FINISHING MATERIALS

    E6000 adhesive
    Rustoleum Painter’s Touch Flat Gray Primer
    Rustoleum Painter’s Touch Flat Black Spray Paint
    Varathane American Walnut stain
    Varathane Polyurethane – Satin finish
    Testors enamel: Brass
    Testors enamel: Silver
    Friction tape

    FINISHED PRODUCT
    DSC_0896.jpg

    DSC_0894.jpg

    DSC_0872.jpg

    DSC_0895.jpg

    I'll follow this thread, let me know if you have any questions.

    HappyTrooper RT-97c Blaster Build

    in T-21, DLT-19, RT-97c Heavy Blasters

    Posted

    Hey LoveMonkey,

    Thanks for promoting the build vid, much appreciated!

    Also, EXCELLENT job on that RT97c, that's a mighty fine lookin' BFG you got there!  She's a beaut!

    I'm glad to hear you made an improvement...the weight.  Definitely a good move on your part.  I was trooping an event a few weekends ago, a fellow Stormtrooper asked if we could trade blasters (E-11 for RT97c).  About 5 minutes later, he gave it back and said..."man, that's heavy".

    HappyTrooper's DLT-19 Build (w/ templates)

    in T-21, DLT-19, RT-97c Heavy Blasters

    Posted

    On 3/9/2017 at 2:05 PM, LoveMonkey said:

    Ok, so I finally watched the entire video - you pretty much inspired me to build one.  I think once I get my TIE armor built and approved, this will have to be my summer project.  Thanks again for all your work on this, it turned out amazing!

    Thanks for watching LoveMonkey, I applaud you for making it through 30 minutes.  Can't wait to see your finished product, if it will look half as good as your field pack build, it will be nothing short of spectacular.

    HappyTrooper's DLT-19 Build (w/ templates)

    in T-21, DLT-19, RT-97c Heavy Blasters

    Posted

    Greetings fellow Troopers,

    A few months ago, I finished a T-21 scratch build using templates from Pandatrooper.  He did an amazing job on both the templates and the instructions.  I was looking for something similar for the DLT-19.  As many of you know, there are some blueprints available.  These schematics do a nice job showing scale and detail, but they didn't provide piece by piece cuts.  I guess I was looking to be spoonfed.  Using these blueprints, I made my own simplified templates that can be applied to wood and PVC pipe/couplings.  My goal was to construct a sturdy DLT-19 using standard hand tools with parts that are readily available.  You will notice that there are some details missing, such as a trigger, sights, T-tracks, and other small greeblies.  I left the trigger and sights off because I plan to troop with this thing and it will get thrown around.  I was afraid those parts would snap off or get caught on something.  If you decide to construct a DLT-19 with these templates, perhaps you can improve on the design.  I've seen a few other scratch builds out there that are much better than mine.  I guess you can consider this a simplified version.  If you find ways to improve the build, please share with the class!

    Before we jump in, I'd like to give a shoutout to Astyanax over at whitearmor.net.  I used some of the ideas from his build (found here).  Specifically, the mouthwash cap for the endpiece, and shelving brackets for the bipod.  The trooper that drew up the MG34 blueprints is also a member on whitearmor.net.  If you are reading this WizardOfFlight, thank you for the blueprints!

    Instead of writing up a bunch of steps with photos, I made an instructional video.  It gave me a chance to play dress-up and incorporate some cheezy special effects.  It's a DLT-19, there's a lot going on, so the video weighs in at 30+ minutes :( Here is the video:

     

    Here are a few pics of the finished product:

    DSC_0667-e1486990690776.jpg

    DSC_0664-e1486990710103.jpg

    DSC_0669-e1486990679612.jpg

    DSC_0670-e1486990668802.jpg

    DSC_0685-e1486990641724.jpg

     

    Here are the ingredients:

    DLT-19 Wood/PVC/Plastic templates http://wp.me/p6OqN2-1se FREE

    1” x 10” x 6’ (actual: ¾” x 9-¾” x 6’ ) premium board http://low.es/2kW8vw5 $10

    1-¼” PVC pipe (2 feet) http://thd.co/2lCSM43 $4

    4 x 1-¼” PVC couplings (Home Depot couplings were more uniform on outside) http://thd.co/2kz0yMo $3

    1” x ¾” PVC adapter http://low.es/2l3hUnX $1 (Lowe’s has wrong pic on the site...product number in the link is correct)

    ⅞” wood dowel http://low.es/2kksX7O $4

    Plastic sign http://thd.co/2l3qALi $5

    Shelving brackets http://thd.co/2kGRszu $6

    ½” type LB conduit body http://thd.co/2kki7Pc $3

    ¾” corner braces (2 packs) http://low.es/2hID3hB $4

    Mouthwash cap (large) local Grocery/Pharmacy ~3$

    1-½” PVC conduit clamp http://low.es/2l8Uj4Z $2

    ½” #8-32 flathead machine screws and nuts http://low.es/2iIIyOZ $1

    2” #8 wood screws http://low.es/2kksAuj $1

    2” #10-24 round machine screws and nuts http://low.es/2kgC3ra $1

    ¾” #12 oval-head sheet metal screws  http://thd.co/2kH4pJV $1

    ¾” #6 oval-head sheet metal screws http://thd.co/2kktXJa $1

    #6 finishing washers http://thd.co/2lEocYK $1

    ½” mending plates http://low.es/2lCRczh $4

    #10-24 rubber well nut http://low.es/2kWn9Dv $1

    ⅜” #6-32 round machine screws w/ washers & nuts http://low.es/2kgDxl9 $1

    ½” #4 pan head sheet metal screws http://thd.co/2h4Ikox $1

    ¾” chicago bolts x 4 http://low.es/2kH3EjY $4

    ½” chicago bolt x 1 http://low.es/2kkq1Z7 $1

    ⅝” or ½” #8 oval head sheet metal screws http://low.es/2l7O8yd $1

    1” #6 oval head sheet metal screws http://low.es/2lD7zfr $1

    ½” #8 machine screws, nuts, and finishing washers used to fill the holes in the shelving brackets $1

    Approximate cost of materials: 66$

     

     

    Finishing Materials
    Bondo

    E6000 adhesive

    Elmer’s Wood Glue

    Sandpaper (60, 120, 220, 400 grit)

    Friction tape

    #0000 steel wool

    Graphite powder http://amzn.to/2lFq4R7

    Rustoleum Painter's Touch gray primer spray

    Rustoleum Painter's Touch flat black spray

    Rustoleum Painter's Touch metallic aluminum spray

    Satin clear spray

    Polyurethane in satin finish

     

     

    Tools

    Jigsaw http://amzn.to/2klqxGd

    Dremel http://amzn.to/2lFpfrB

    Drill http://amzn.to/2klyStp

    Drill bits http://amzn.to/2kluKtE

    Hacksaw http://amzn.to/2l8Vl0R

    Files & rasps

    Screwdrivers

    Lexan scissors http://amzn.to/2klB5Fi

    Star Wars pencils! http://amzn.to/2l4wHz0

    Airbrush (optional) http://amzn.to/2l4x7VV

     

    Hope you guys can improve on the design. If I add any additional templates for the build, I'll put them in the zip file in the d/l link. Thanks for looking! This build does take some time and patience. Your hard work will pay off in the end, the DLT-19 is a beautiful weapon!

    • Upvote 1

    T-21 Strap

    in T-21, DLT-19, RT-97c Heavy Blasters

    Posted

    The slings have open "clasps" on each end.  I wrapped one sling around the front of the barrel and inserted the fabric through clasp.  I connected the other end to the other sling.  The other sling goes through the sling swivel on the stock.  This is a somewhat hi-res photo of my T-21, hopefully it will let you open it in full size so you can see how the 2 connect.

     

    DSC_0587.jpg

    DSC_0588-e1469298225566.jpg

     

    Here is a closeup of the swing swivel on the stock:
    IMG_4442-e1469297005181.jpg

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