Greetings from Chicago

Vinylcapedjawa · Post by **Vinylcapedjawa** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:57 pm

Hello. I'm really new to this so bare with me. My name is Kevin. I'm 37 and live in the Chicago area. I was a huge Star Wars fan when I was a kid, especially The Empire Strikes Back. My interest in the movies really ignited again when Revenge of the Sith came out. After that I attended Celebration 4 in LA and had a fantastic time. I'm a pretty active member of Chicago Force now.

I've been a vintage collector for some time now but I am interested in getting involved in the 501st. Specifically, I'd like to build a snowtrooper costume for myself. I've worked for several months getting soft goods together and now I'm really focusing on the armor. I have a small table top vacuum table and I am currently working on molds.

What I would like to do is network with people and share tips and information on this, at least for me, gigantic project. If anyone knows of meetings I can attend, please let me know. It doesn't have to be snowtrooper related. Any people with knowledge of making armor from scratch would be invaluable. Of course, I also enjoy just hanging out with people who have the same interests.

Post by **Marvinrobot** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:32 pm

Welcome to the fight, Kevin. I too love Empire and I remembered the Snowtrooper as one of my favorites. Please make yourself at home and look around. We have a few Snowies running around that can help you. Also, if you have not done so please visit the Legion's Snowtrooper Detachment aptly named Blizzard Force (I always think of Dairy Queen when I say the name) They are the 501st foremost experts on the costume and can help you with tips and tricks. The URL is:

http://www.blizzardforce.com/forum

Again welcome to the Midwest Garrison, look forward to getting to know you better.

Post by **TB 0101** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:00 pm

Welcome, Kevin! We don't currently have anything specific planned as far as armor building workshops, but that's always subject to change. We do have quite a few prop builders who are always willing to talk shop and those types of gatherings can crop up at any time.

Post by **Marvinrobot** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:15 pm

Kevin, I split your mold tips question and placed it under the Armory so it gets better visibility...I will respond with my experience there.

Post by **Arcturus1020** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:55 pm

Hello and welcome to the MWG, Kevin! I too am a collector of vintage SW (here). Best of luck to you on your armor build!

Post by **TKvanB** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:09 pm

Mmmmmmmm. Blizzard Force!

Kevin! Where exactly in Chicago are you? I am on the near Northwest side/Ravenswood/Lincoln Square.

You DEFINITELY want to check out Blizzard Force.

Post by **TB 0101** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:38 am

Actually, after reading his last email I was thinking he needs to meet this guy.
Andy (542) and Damian (826) and a bunch of others are into vac forming in one form or another. MI's garrison has quite a few builders, too, and some were making snowtrooper armor not too long ago. 826 has a very small vac table and we've been discussing building/buying a large one.

If you have some time, flip through the armory. There are some good things in there.

Vinylcapedjawa · Post by **Vinylcapedjawa** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:19 am

TKvanB wrote:Mmmmmmmm. Blizzard Force!

Kevin! Where exactly in Chicago are you? I am on the near Northwest side/Ravenswood/Lincoln Square.

You DEFINITELY want to check out Blizzard Force.

Hi. Thanks for the warm welcomes. I live in the Logan Square area in Chicago. Blizzard force is very good for assembling hard armor and finding all the soft goods like mukluks, pouches, etc. Unfortunately I've found little on there about actually building your own armor. Jack Doud and some of the other guys on there have told me its because snowies mostly buy their armor. Unless I can find some people who want to contribute to a big project like this, I may have to purchase my own as well. Living in an apartment doesn't give you much space for vacuum forming.

Post by **TKvanB** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:32 am

Logan Square - that's close-by!