Interested in joining the 501st

[Not_a_Jedi_123]

My name is Cash, I live in Estacada, Oregon, and I've been a star wars fan since I was a youngling. I would love to get more info on how to get a set of stormtrooper armor together, and also on officially joining the 501st legion. Any tips and advice are more than welcome!

[PDXTimbers]

My name is Cash, I live in Estacada, Oregon, and I've been a star wars fan since I was a youngling. I would love to get more info on how to get a set of stormtrooper armor together, and also on officially joining the 501st legion. Any tips and advice are more than welcome!

Hi Cash:

First off, welcome!  On to the links:

I can get you some quick links to get you started on your reading and research:

501st FAQ http://www.501st.com/faqs.php

Information on 501st costumes, note that there are a few different areas for what the average fan calls a "stormtrooper"  http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:CRL

Information on "stormtrooper" costume details:  http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:FISD_CRL  Note that each movie has slight changes from 1 move to the next (and the original New Hope has a couple...Stunt and Hero and then, separately, sand troopers and tie fighter pilots etc)

Sandtrooper (Tatooine) is elsewhere, as are Tie Fighter pilots, etc.
http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:MEPD_CRL
http://databank.501st.com/databank/JRS_CRL


For 'stormtroopers', the ultimate site of information is here:  http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/  That site can help you in many ways.

My general advice is not to rush any decision. It takes a bit of time and/or money (and usually both) to figure it out so think it all through.  Look at the websites and ask yourself what type of costume you like (you might discover it's not even a stormtrooper...maybe it's a Sith Lord or, gasp, some Rebel scum).  If it's a stormtrooper, maybe it's old school/Rogue 1 "storm trooper" or maybe it's a prequel Clone or The Force Awakens "First Order".  Quite a few ways to go there.

Part of your research should also be looking at size, if you are a larger person, there are some builds that can accommodate that as well.  Everybody will recommend you avoid buying from Ebay.  And everyone will advise that just because someone touts an item they are selling as "501st approved", doesn't mean it is, and it doesn't mean it would be for you.  Even if it's pretty much approve-able, it still has to fit you (for example).  I would stick to this site for guidance: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/

But step 1 is checking out the sites above and then spend some time researching and reading up on it. 

[CadBane3]

Hello and welcome! Great answers and advice from Brian. The only thing I could add is to ask lots of questions. Everybody is very helpful and want to see you join. So, again, welcome!

[L Kamino]

Welcome!  Brian gave you some great answers and links.  There's lots of skilled and experienced people here to help you along.  When you narrow down your choices, you could post here for advice too.  There's some vendors that would be recommended over others. 

[CJ49er]

all of the above!

and WELCOME!

[carpe mindiem]

Everything everyone already said. Welcome!

[nukem25rs]

Welcome!
Brian def had all the good pointers!
the whitearmor.net link for the Stormtroopers is the best resource you could possibly find on stormtroopers! I probably spent 2 hours a day looking at images and reference material as i was building mine.

If you do decide to go the stormtrooper route let me know if you need any help with anything. My brother lives in Estacada so I am out there a bit.

[ceric]

"Welcome to the party pal" "You've taken your first step...", do your research. I'm just a rebel who also lives near Estacada.
Eric
Han Solo

[Not_a_Jedi_123]

Hi Cash:

First off, welcome!  On to the links:

I can get you some quick links to get you started on your reading and research:

501st FAQ http://www.501st.com/faqs.php

Information on 501st costumes, note that there are a few different areas for what the average fan calls a "stormtrooper"  http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:CRL

Information on "stormtrooper" costume details:  http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:FISD_CRL  Note that each movie has slight changes from 1 move to the next (and the original New Hope has a couple...Stunt and Hero and then, separately, sand troopers and tie fighter pilots etc)

Sandtrooper (Tatooine) is elsewhere, as are Tie Fighter pilots, etc.
http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:MEPD_CRL
http://databank.501st.com/databank/JRS_CRL


For 'stormtroopers', the ultimate site of information is here:  http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/  That site can help you in many ways.

My general advice is not to rush any decision. It takes a bit of time and/or money (and usually both) to figure it out so think it all through.  Look at the websites and ask yourself what type of costume you like (you might discover it's not even a stormtrooper...maybe it's a Sith Lord or, gasp, some Rebel scum).  If it's a stormtrooper, maybe it's old school/Rogue 1 "storm trooper" or maybe it's a prequel Clone or The Force Awakens "First Order".  Quite a few ways to go there.

Part of your research should also be looking at size, if you are a larger person, there are some builds that can accommodate that as well.  Everybody will recommend you avoid buying from Ebay.  And everyone will advise that just because someone touts an item they are selling as "501st approved", doesn't mean it is, and it doesn't mean it would be for you.  Even if it's pretty much approve-able, it still has to fit you (for example).  I would stick to this site for guidance: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/

But step 1 is checking out the sites above and then spend some time researching and reading up on it.

Thanks for the info! I look forward to trooping with you guys. Also, how much does the typical TK armor set cost?

[nukem25rs]

Id say putting an actual number on it can be tough. if you are patient you can generally find a kit on whitearmor.net in the for sale section unbuilt(someone bought it but decided not to complete) from 500-1000.. its really all about how much you want to put into it and if you have the tools readily available to build it or if you have to purchase the tools as well as the kit. I know Anovos just posted that their TKs are ready for preorder and will ship late January.. thats a good starting point to look at pricing. I highly recommend looking through the getting started section on whitearmor. and this thread was a blessing when i first starting looking- http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/11538-the-various-types-of-armor-and-where-to-find-them/
you can contact the makers in this thread and they will give you pricing and lead times on when they will ship to you. All the makers in that thread are all reputable and stand behind what they make