sharkbait
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Posts posted by sharkbait
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On 3/9/2019 at 8:18 AM, GDMorti said:
Just shirts? Or are vests and jackets acceptable?
If you find a comfortable leather vest that doesn't break the bank, let me know!!
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On 1/6/2018 at 12:00 AM, AngryEwok said:
Would be grateful for an advisor. I'm hoping to build L3 ANH Bridge Crew [flightsuit, belt, boots] up to TIE Reserve [hat, gloves, comm pad] and finally up to full Classic TIE [helmet, hoses, chestbox, armor]. I'm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but tech savvy enough to send pics and whatnot.
If you're still in need of someone, I can help out.
- AngryEwok and WhiteWalker
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On 2/7/2018 at 7:40 PM, Ashlyn said:
Hi!
I am putting together my first Imperial costume and after looking the 501st standards for Imperial Officers have decided to go with the Imperial Security Bureau. I have already purchased a rank bar from Zixx. However I would really appreciate an advisor to help me one-on-one for the rest of the costume. Thank you in advance.
Jaira
If you don't mind someone Stateside, I can help out!
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50 minutes ago, kman said:
Seriously? Wow. If they were keeping the old site, why all the hassle to create TWO new sites with the same content? (cossky.com and newcossky.com)
Wackadoos. LOL
China is weird. (And I mean that not in a mean or bad way, but if you've never been an American dealing with their system before, you understand what I mean!)
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3 hours ago, Kalak said:
Unfortunately, I have never been someone who off the shelf sizes fit. I am kicking myself now for not ordering this around Christmas when they had their old site working. I will probably just add both the $30 color change and the $50 dollar 501st fee with the same measurements filled in on both add ons. Hopefully that will make it a pretty close fit on arrival. I am not in a super hurry so I might wait a bit and see if a sale pops up in the next month or two. Thanks for the help!
I feel your pain- I've never been an "off the shelf" type either. I've also found Asian sizing doesn't know I exist (I'm 5'11'', and a woman).
And I agree- email first, you might get lucky! If not, well, you tried, and now we'll know.
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I haven't ordered from the new site, yet, but in testing it, it seems like you'd put in your measurements on the color change page, and submit only that. (I just filled it in with random numbers and hit "add to cart," and it came up with only the $30 color change fee, not the additional custom fit fee).
Having said that, I really recommend costume from CosplaySky/Cossky- unless you're super lucky and happen to fit one of their standard sizes exactly (I've seen it happen, but it's been rare). It's worth it for $50, in my opinion (I did it for both my suits and they're great). They always get the legs a bit off and the pants punch outs kind of big, but they're easy to fix. I'm not overly familiar with the Grand Admiral stuff, but adding a note with correct measurements/specifications for the color wouldn't be a bad idea regardless of custom or not.
Also, they have sales fairly often, so you can get at least some percentage off, which might take a chunk out of or even over shipping, or the color change fee, making the whole thing easier on the budget.
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I have some small IOC patches and I believe one large IOC back patch available for sale or trade. I also have some IOC coins.
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If you need customs, I'd recommend Hessan. Mine are custom Hessan and I love them- sometimes there's a sale, but they're normally about $300. I believe they're well worth it, and with custom you are up against a higher price bracket regardless.
They also make custom Jack Boots if you ever need any of those. (I have found those to be a bit more forgiving in the calf area, so you might not need customs there if that's your issue, size however could be an issue as they don't go too small or too large).
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I agree with kman- I can't believe we're talking about the same boot. My Hessans are fantastic. The leather isn't soft at all- very sturdy, will stand up on their own with no issues, sole is holding up well and comfortable. I recommend them all day long. I had to go custom because my shins were just over the standard size, but they've been great to me and I expect a long trooping career with them.
Now, I will say that if they are $1260 boots, then there should be no comparison to a $200 - $300 boot, they're just not in the same league, or at least they shouldn't be for that price difference. If they're the ebay going rate of $130 ish, then Hessans still win, for me, as the price is very similar and Hessan is quality. Good shoes, boots especially, do cost money, and your feet (and knees, and back) will thank you for it. But not not $1k+! We're an expensive hobby, but not that expensive!
I'd be surprised if Hessan had a batch that was so dramatically different than so many reviews and purchases around here before. I've even seen on semi-recently (after I bought mine, but within the last year), and they were the same quality as mine.
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Praetorians are great, if you can snag one. Hyperfirm did in fact go defunct, sadly. But if you find one second hand, or even a B-Grade, snag it! His B-Grades were nearly indistinguishable from the A-Grades. I have a E-11 and a DLT-19.
I think he just does only First Order stuff right now, but Heston3DSolutions on Etsy (though now that I write this the shop isn't showing up...) makes great 3D printed stuff. MercSupplyShop on Etsy also has some kits and upgrade kits (for a airsoft gun base to be a Merr-Sonn for example).
I heard about a "Hyperfirm of the UK" but never managed to find out exactly who it was- but they were vetted, just in the UK, so if you're stateside it's expensive shipping.
WhiteArmor.net periodically has E-11s for sale in the For Sale section, as do other forums, as mentioned above. Also keep an eye on the 501st boards under For Sale- that's where I snagged by B-Grade DLT-19.
Also, almost forgot- look no further than Darman (Etsy, various forums) for holsters! They're amazing and great quality leather and craftsmanship. I won't be buying any other holsters except from him. (I currently have an E-11, DL-44 and Merr-Sonn from him, eventually will need a DH-17 and possibly others).
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Congratulations and welcome aboard! If you're still after L2/L3 boots, I have Hessan Antique and love them.
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If you're interested (or anyone else reading this later) in CosplaySky tunics, always go custom, unless you're perfectly aligned with the measurements on their standard sizes. That will take care of you and get you in a truly fitted tunic (and pants).
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On 11/26/2018 at 8:16 PM, jayr2574 said:
i have submitted my app and pics and going on two weeks.
Are you still waiting, or were you contacted? If you're still waiting, definitely reach out. We are in elections right now, so it's a crazy time, but once they close (Sunday), then everyone will free back up again. Good luck!
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Looking good! Welcome aboard!
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There's a lot of ways to go- it really depends on you: what you like, what your budget allows; and what you you plan to do in the future.
For example, my first IOC costume was also a TIE Reserve, because the ROTJ Crewman is basically the same thing as the TIE Reserve, just take off a couple of parts. And I planned to do a full ANH TIE at some point, so the Reserve was the base for it. So I got three costumes for the price of 1.5 costumes, basically.
Now, if you like the officer look, if you go black, you can also add on other variants quite easily with different pants and/or shoes, if you're into that.
Depending on if you go with a custom flightsuit or not, Crewman can be cheaper than an Officer. The officer boots will kill you- but get good ones, because you don't want to cheap out on riding boots, your feet and back (and knees) will thank you later. Crewman are jack boots, which also do just about 25+ costumes between 501st and Rebel Legion (I exaggerate, but they're quite common). (A warrant officer also uses jack boots).
So, decide what variation you like, officer or crewman, if you want to build/expand on it later (Crewman/TI Reserve to full TIE), and what your budget will allow. Then, check out the appropriate CRL and research here, check out build threads, ask questions, etc.
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I've come across this seller before- I've never seen any of their stuff in person, but I'm impressed by the photos. Right number of stitches on the brim, shape is right, looks like quality materials. The fact that they have some more obscure Rebel Legion soft parts is a good sign- they wouldn't have that kind of stuff if they weren't into costuming and knew what they were doing.
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I'd also recommend a satin or satin-like fabric. Mine's black like the tunic for my Staff Officer and olive-ish for my Line Officer), but I believe ANH Staff specifies tan (at least for L2 and L3) (newer addition/CRL, when I did mine a year or so back there was just the Staff with multiple options for the different movies).
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Yes, you would put the wrong sides of the fabric together, sew them, and flip back to right sides of the fabric out. The raw seams will be on the inside. A light pressing with an iron will give you that nice crisp look, but the seam itself is the same.
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If available, I recommend the rubber/hyperfirm/etc. ones- drop proof for all us clumsy troopers out there! You can also go resin kit or Hasbro/plastic, 3D printed, as mentioned above. There's also air soft guns with extra greeblies added (mainly 3D printed ones or hand-made). There are more restrictions for L2/L3, so check the CRL for those, but for basic trooping- as long as it looks right, it flies.
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4 hours ago, starfyre013 said:
The problem is that I'm on the shorter side and I would have to do a lot of customization to even the XXS flightsuit from Wampawear.
I would recommend custom- it gets into real messy territory if you have to shorten significantly, because all the pockets have to be adjusted, and unless you're a tailor, it's dang near impossible. It will be worth it for a perfect fit, though!
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I have Hessan, I had to do custom because of my (stupid) calves, but size-wise I found them on the smaller side, though not crazy so. If a half-size, I would recommend going up to the next full size. Also, if on the "higher end" or a just-barely fitting into a size, I'd also go up.
I love my Hessan's- very comfortable, durable. Just scuff up that sole first, because those suckers are slick when you first get them. I nearly ate it in my living room trying them on the first time. Significantly better after scuffing up over some rough asphalt during a short walk.
They do periodically go on sale, so keep an eye out, too, I snagged my customs for $250 instead of $300, and their stock sizes were off, too. Once in a blue moon you also find "imperfect" pairs, usually with something internal wrong, nothing that would affect approvability or wearability, and they're deeply discounted.
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Wampa Wear's Pilot Gloves (TIE) fit the bill- https://www.wampawear.com/product/pilot-gloves/
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I use a combo of Lexan scissors (curved and straight), X-Acto #11s (bend and snap) that are replaced often, and a dremel with either a cutting wheel (diamond) or a sanding drum. Depends on what I'm doing and what part it is, and how much I have to trim.
Lexan will be efficient but you'll have clean up, easy to get scratches from overlapping of the blades.
Cutting wheel and sanding drum involve minimal clean up and are obviously very quick, however also very quick to get you into trouble. Always test and practice on scraps before moving to your actual piece. Dremels (cutting wheel) also work best on stiffer, thicker and/or unyielding plastic, such as lens material (motorcycle shields, welding shields, etc.).
X-Actos are good for thinner or just patience and will give you a very nice, clean straight line. Use a ruler clamped to a sturdy table with cutting surface to score along the edge for a perfect line. Once scored enough, remove clamps, bend and snap off the cut. I only use them when doing straight lines, I've never found a way to effectively do curves this way.
Regardless of what you do, you'll need some sandpaper to totally smooth it out, but each type gives you a different level of how many grits and how long with the sandpaper to finish it.
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Another custom option is Claudio- he's on these boards. My black (Crewman, TIE Reserve) flightsuit is from him, and compared to my orange Wampa, it's a thicker, better quality material, and obviously custom-fitted so it's very nice, whereas the Wampa is a bit baggy in places and snugger in others. Not to say I don't like my Wampa, it's perfect for my future OT and Blue Squadron X-Wings and Willrow, but for the Crewman and TIE, I wanted that nice, tailored look.
Fixing jodhpurs flare
in Costume Questions - Ask Here!
Posted
You can take them in yourself- just follow the existing curve, but take it in. Sew on the new line with a heavy stitch to prevent fraying, and then cut off excess fabric.
To rein in the flares you re-do the seam to be smaller, because I don't think pulling in the thigh will do much good. Unless they're just too lose in the thigh in which case you could also tighten the seam there, too.