Hi Everyone ! I have some exciting news and a couple of surprises to share.
It's been about 2 months coming, but I've finally reached a point that I can
get it all outA lot of you already know, and have known for 6 weeks.
But you have to read the whole thing to see what's up
winded, but bear with me
Recently, I launched a MAJOR overhaul to my website. For many years
it stagnated. Neglected. And quite honestly, it looked like something
from the early 90's
the time. I decided some time ago that change was in order. After a
number of failed attempts at farming out the work to other members,
I bit the bullet and got the ball rolling. And while not all of the content
is available just yet, it's live. The rest of the content is being added in
segments over the course of the next few weeks as time permits. At this
point it's mostly text copy thats's missing. So wherever there is "Greek",
you're not seeing things. They're simply formatting placeholder blocks
for what will be inserted at a later date. But there are quite a few very
important factors that motivated tall the change.
First and foremost, the more of our older membership that moves on,
there remain few that can carry on the community history. That proves
troublesome for someone like me, who has primarily relied on word of
mouth to share my work with the community, for obvious reasons. Here
in the States, most of you know that we're governed by a very different
set of rules to live by than some of our European vendors in regard to
copyright and intellectual property. But some of you may not understand
why you may hear a name like mine, and can't dig much up on me.
This is because traditionally, guys like me try to fly as far under the radar
as possible. We don't have an eCommerce website, no shopping cart, no
checkout. We simply cannot . It's not only disrespectful to the studios and
license holders, it's illegal. So we rely on a stray thread here or there.
Nothing to platform what we do. So eventually, people start to forget who
pioneered the community, and most especially what this forum was founded
on - and that is building a "Screen Accurate" replica.
My new website is intended to establish an informative record of my parts
and history with TheDentedHelmet.com, as well as a platform to show my
works. From now on, if a new member is curious about "Fettpride", they'll
only need to look in one place. No more scouring old forum threads. This
has been a very long time coming. In a manner of speaking, I'm coming
out of the closet. But don't expect anything more than that. I'm not
de-cloaking to the world. My service to TDH is still exclusive. There will
however, be some better ways to contact me very soon as well.
But none of this is the exciting part for YOU ;-)
What you MIGHT find exciting, is that this is the "Official" announcement
for more budget minded items that I will be presenting to TDH exclusively.
Since introducing the first quality screen accurate "Budget" helmet castings
last year, I've been asked time and time again if there were any other
"Budget" parts in mind for the future.
In commemoration of nearly 10 years with TDH and the roll out of the new
website I've decided a little celebration is in order. I see TDH making a
change for the better recently. With the cleansing that is well under way
(ROCK ON ART !) , it really is time to get back to basics. So I'm going to
do my part in helping us get back to our roots.
Over the last few years I've seen a decline in the interest in making screen
accurate replicas, and more of a focus on durability and cost alternatives.
I'm not the only one as it turns out. I've actually seen a stray thread here or
there in regards to the same concern.
What exactly is a cost effective alternative to what is actually screen accurate ?
Fiberglass ? Metal ? Wrong. Actually, there is no alternative to screen accuracy,
because screen accuracy is cheaper to begin with
Screen Accuracy 101 - Fett Armor is vacuum formed. Period. And it's cheaper
than any alternative, with the exception of trash can armorIf you do a bit of
research, you will find that the least expensive armor ever offered to date, has
always been vacuum formed armor. And still is. My very own. The ONLY screen
accurate armor in detail, materials, and fabrication. Nearly 10 years in development.
Brought to you by the finest minds TDH has ever had to offer. This simply cannot be
forgotten
Durability - Of course, durability is certainly a concern for those that troop in their
gear on a regular basis. But there is a misconception about ABS / Styrene durability.
In allmy years, I've received feedback from no more members than can be counted
on onehand with a break or rip. If you're worried about your cat, dog, or toddler
chewing onyour armor, or breaking your armor - c'mon guysYou shouldn't
be leaving your gear lay on the floor after you've poured your heart and sole into
making it anyway
clear blue after a few troopsDurability is truly a balance between
updated engineering in material grades, and common sense.
That being said, if "screen accurate" wasn't already the most affordable, I'm putting
my money where my mouth is (so to speak). I'll be spreading the screen accuracy
bug again VERY soon with "BUDGET" options for both Armor AND Gauntlets alike !!
That will be 3 first time ever screen accurate "budget" options for the community.
Here's what's on the SHORT horizon …
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1. Budget Armor : $225 + $15 shipping in the U.S. ($20 additional for over seas).
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As most of you know, I've barely changed my prices over the last 8
years, and have made every attempt to lock in the balance between
consistency in both quality and value while staying true to the original
screen used armor. You've always known what to expect. But I'm
changing how we roll here at TDH, again. Same quality, little sacrifice.
I generally use VERY thick material for my armor. Borderline too thick
for screen accuracy. But that was the balance I was referring to. Plastic
is a petroleum product, and isn't cheap. The thicker the material, the more
cost per sheet. And with petrol prices on the rise it's a commodity.
To make this budget offering possible, I'm going total screen accurate.
The plastic used will be a little thinner than what I offer for the standard
sets. But not so much so that it will sacrifice durability. Most of you know
I'm just a stickler for overkill normally. And as always, the parts that are
most susceptive to failure will be done in thicker material no matter what.
But it's just enough of an adjustment to offer the most screen accurate armor
at a very affordable price. As always, either version is available. I will
NOT be discontinuing the standard version. It will still be
offered at regular prices.
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2. Budget Gauntlets : $155 shipped in the U.S. ($20 additional over seas)
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Back in the day when I first came aboard TDH, I offered vacuum formed
gauntlets. Quite frankly, they were a pain in the arse. And, the fact is, they were
more expensive to make than fiberglass. I switched to fiberglass due to demand. But
we're trying to get back to our roots. And it is the only thing I've offered that colored
outside the lines with with fiberglass. So the budget version will be vacuum formed
with very like-kind accessories to the standard versions. As always, either version is
available. I'm NOT discontinuing my standard version. They will still be offered at
regular prices.
Both versions of gauntlets have been "re-tooled" for 2010 and my 10th Anniversary
with TDH ! So check out the pics on the site. What you see will be offered in both
formed and glass alike.
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3. DENTLESS Armor : $225 + $15 shipping in the U.S. ($20 additional for over seas).
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The very first screen accurate "Dentless" Fett Armor. Wether you prefer to make the
dents yourself (which is actually the only true screen accurate representation) or just
want to make a different version of Fett such as a Supertrooper, or Custom Mando.
Another first to the community.
** A special note to members that may have purchased armor in the recent few
weeks **
I realize that this announcement may come a a bit of a shock. However, I have to
draw the line somewhere when I change gears. It was only very recently that I was
afforded the opportunity to offer such items to the community. I appreciate your
understanding.
All of this will be in effect immediately. I've finally secured a new reliable source to
lock in these prices for accurate forming materials. The majority of production will
take place in a few short weeks … AFTER Celebration 5 (which I will in fact be
attending). But any new orders will be afforded these new options.
I realize I've been VERY hard to reach, and I've been very slow on orders as well. Not
my norm. But now perhaps it will all make sense. It's a daunting task when you're
just one man. I know most of you truly get that. And I thank you so much for all of
your patience. This is a very necessary change that needed to take place. In the end,
it helps and betters the community.
On a small side note, I hear that "FPARMOR" has been a little confusing over the
years, since I've always gone by "Fettpride". "FP" of course, stands for "FettPride".
However, from this point forth, you can make the correlation either way you like.
www.fparmor.com
www.fettpride.com
Best Wishes,
Chris
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Originally Posted by FETTPRIDE 
El1te
