Has any every ordered a custom helmet from Samoilovart? How fast did they take to respond to inquiries? Did you try to get something that wasn't something they didnt already offer on their site?

Hey all! I have recently started making a death trooper cosplay. I am currently in the process of scaling my armor in armorsmith and once I'm finished with that, I will start the 3d printing process. I was wondering if there are some of you out there that have done their own death trooper cosplay, and if I could receive some tips on how to get it done while being 501st approved. I am mainly wondering about the sanding and painting process, I would love to know how to get that done along with any other tips you guys have. Thanks!

This is the first time I am doing something like this, it has been a lot of trial$ and error$ specially the filament department, but all that experience has made me better at 3d printing.

I am trying for lvl 2 paz viszla armor, any help is more than welcomed

Hey guys! So the MTK armor I posted a few days wouldn't work as some of the pieces don't really fit me. Now I'm considering building an R1 TK from Jim. Wanna know your thoughts and appreciate any inputs from those who built Jim's kit.

I was signed up as RotJ: SE Fett for a few shifts, and I saw a guy signed up as ESB Fett in my off shifts, turns out the guy had a suuuuuper nice kit, and I stayed in kit a hair longer so I could snag this "once in a lifetime" Spiderman/Boba Fett meme!

So I’ve always wanted to have a set of stormtrooper armor as a kid and I finally got most of a set and I’m starting to work on it, it’s been a dream to be part of the 501st legion as well, but the problem is I’m 6 foot 7 inches, or more like 6 foot 8 inches+ (203-204 cm) when I have the boots and the helmet on which add height. So now I’m worried that if I’m so tall, in a formation of stormtroopers, I’d stick out like a sore thumb, people would be like “wait why’s there that one trooper like a head taller than most of the group??” Does anyone have any experience with this or has some knowledge of other really tall stormtroopers have been approved?

The other problem is having to modify my suit for it to fit properly and look screen accurate and proportional for my height, this requires me to split the pelvis piece from the stomach piece and cover the gap with the belt, this gives the stomach piece more length so that the chest piece sits over the stomach piece, otherwise if I leave the stomach/pelvis connected, the chest piece doesn’t sit on top of the stomach, I have a gap between the two, and I can’t really lower the chest or it starts to look weird. Would a modification like this disqualify my suit?

I’m sure I’d make an awesome Vader given my height since Vader is supposed to be taller than pretty much everyone around him, but I didn’t want to be Vader as a kid, I wanted to be a stormtrooper so that’s what I bought and that’s what I’m working on. I just really hope my height isn’t going to prove to be a big issue with all of this.

I’m not really looking for any sort of 501st approval, just wondering if there’s anyone out there who would do a custom Mando helmet (painted) for below $300. I’ve found some, but I’d love to hear about other options that might be around as yall are far more experienced in this field.

So I recently bought a blank black series clone trooper and I would love to customize it as an arc trooper, I have seen people download the armor in 3d files and then paint over it. I would appreciate to hear some tips regarding where could I find good files (preferebly cheaper tan etsy) and which type of resin is best to use. Any other tip would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advanced

I’ve been struggling with whether to post this, but I guess I just need to get it off my chest.
I’ve been a member of the 501st for 10 years now (joined when I was 18), and it used to feel like a place where people came together because of a shared love for Star Wars, craftsmanship, charity, and community. Lately, though, it doesn’t feel that way anymore.

Instead, it feels like who you know matters more than what you contribute.

From where I’m standing, there’s a culture of gatekeeping. If you’re not part of the inner circle, if you’re not friends with certain officers, or if someone in a position of influence simply doesn’t like you or disagrees with you, it feels like you’re quietly pushed to the sidelines. You stop hearing about opportunities. Your contributions seem overlooked. It’s like you’re at the bottom of the priority list no matter how much time and effort you’ve given.

What makes this especially difficult for me is that I wasn’t always an outsider. I used to be close friends with one of the officers involved in the GEC, so I had a front-row seat to decisions and conversations that left me questioning whether everyone was being treated fairly. Because of that experience, it’s hard for me not to see similar patterns today, even though I recognize others may have had different experiences.

What frustrates me the most is that when the current Commanding Officer took over, I genuinely believed things were going to change. I thought this would be the opportunity to rebuild trust, encourage inclusivity, and move away from the cliquish culture that had been developing. Instead, from my perspective, that culture has been allowed to continue. Whether that’s intentional or simply tolerated, the end result feels the same.
And you can see the effect it’s having. More and more members seem to have lost the motivation to troop, attend events, or participate in the community. It’s sad because these are people who used to be excited to suit up and volunteer. Now, many seem to feel that their efforts don’t matter unless they’re part of the “right” circle.

I’m not saying everyone in the Legion is like this. There are genuinely amazing members who embody everything the organization stands for, and they’re the reason I’ve stayed as long as I have.
But it’s heartbreaking when an organization you once considered family starts feeling like an exclusive clique where relationships and personal preferences seem to carry more weight than fairness, transparency, and the shared passion that brought us all together.

Has anyone else experienced something similar in their garrison or club? How did you handle it? Did you stay and hope things improved, or did you eventually decide it was time to move on?

I’m honestly just trying to figure out whether this is something worth fighting for anymore or whether it’s time to accept that the group I fell in love with simply isn’t the same anymore.

Hi all, i am embarking on my journey to start my own costume and have bought a Black Series Sabine Wren helmet and want to prime it but am unsure what I can use that'd adhere well to it. I'd love to know what other people used so i get an idea of what worked.

Thanks for reading.

P.s. i am in the UK so that might change what I can buy.

87th Sentinel Corps old heavy design. Rest of the armor is already on the printer but thought I'd share the progress. The intended burgundy/maroon turned out a bit more red than intended but i really like the colour.

Quick question: Why does anyone need approval from the 501st? As we have seen in the original authentic movies, none of it was perfect. So, unless everything is an exact copy of those props, or is the original piece from the movie, what is the approval for? At this point everything has been remade. Just wondering. Pictures (Galactic Armory 3D file)

Hello, friends! I just finished applying 2k to my helmet and, while waiting for that to cure, am hoping to get some help with this: if you used a hard hat's suspension in a Mandalorian helmet, how would you go about getting the placement right and what would you do to actually install it in there?

In case it makes a difference, I'm using Great Ape's Din Djarin helmet.

Thanks in advance!

I asked this over at r/CosplayHelp and was told to ask here since apparently you guys have alot lf experience with this sort of a thing.

I know this isn't really on topic but hope I'm okay with this 😅

Thanks in advance!

edit: will be flying

Hi all! I have a friend and fellow member who wants to let go of his MTK ANH kit. It's fully assembled and seeing as we're roughly the same size, considering getting it. Thoughts?

Photo from Trooperbay.

Recently joined this thread! Sharing a moment I had with one of recruits as Palpatine with my R1 Vader. SL-12205 (PH Garrison)

United in South Dakota last month to troop Rushmore, Custer State Park and perform with Weird Al in Rapid City.

I'm possibly going to make a Night Trooper helmet, and I already have files for a stormtrooper from Galactic Armory. Can it possibly be used as a base for the Night Trooper?

Hi, I need some help with my Darth Nihilus cosplay from KOTOR II. How many changes do I need to make, and could someone explain this to me so it would be accepted by the 501st Legion? I realize there are some flaws in the photos—the cape isn’t long enough, since I attached it too high, and the fabric from the mask is sticking out above the cape.

Best regards :)

I am looking for a new helmet for my Royal Guard costume. I had to sell my old costume a couple of years ago to fund my trip to Ukraine when the war started and I’ve gotten everything but a new helmet and force pike and am wondering where the best place to get them will be.

just finished making this phase 1 clone helmet in the animated style and I was wondering if yl could give some feedback and lint out anything I could’ve done better.

this was originally 3d printed btw