Buy or build? Which helmet to get?

jpynk3

Jr Hunter
I'm gonna start building my Boba costume for next year. I have all year to do it, and I want to be screen accurate. I don't have unlimited funds, but I want the best that I can. Do you think I should buy a Master Replica helmet and take the easy way out, or should I try to find one elsewhere. I don't know if I have the talent to build one myself:confused So whatta ya think?
 
hey and welcome to TDH :cheers

that can be a tough desicion, and it really will depend on if u want to put in the time, patience and effort of building/painting ur own bucket or not.... but i can tell u the feeling u get when u look at a fett lid u did urself is amazing!
if u decide to build one urself, u might try to score a DP or if u have to a rubies as a practice helmet as well if $$ is not an issue. that way u can get the feel for the craft etc..... but most important, study all the ref pics, tips and techniques possible so u get a better understanding and build ur confidence levels!!! u can do this!!!!!! as well as get an idea of certain tools that are a must to make a great fett! there are MANY threads, as well as ppl here that will be glad to assist u in ur journey.....alot of the basic stuff is already here so use the SEARCH functions alot! and if u have a question or need help, u can always pm me and if i can help i will! as im sure others will say the same!
goodluck!!!!! (y) :cheers
 
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I've got a large group of friends here where I live that want to do a Star Wars party next year. Everybody is trying to be a unique character. I got dibs on Boba. There are already a few who have gotten excellent trooper costumes and they have already joined the 501. I can't let them get the upper hand. I'm gonna start with the helmet and go from there.
 
As a scratch-builder, I am inclined to suggest that making your own helmet is the way to go. Like Jluck said, the feeling you get from looking at a helmet you made yourself goes way beyond any you get from a lid you purchased, no matter how awesome that purchased lid is.
 
That brings up another question that seems to be repeated constantly...who has the best kit to make one? I know I'll get tons of different opinions. I'm pretty sure I can handle the painting, but I don't know about a scratch build.
 
well, a few things to consider.....

1. do u want a kit that has the prep work done, and all the goodies (range finder, ears,mq board, visor etc..) then go with a bobamaker deluxe kit. especially if ur doing a esb. his stuff is excellent

2. or the sgt fang would be good, alot less $$ for the lid, but alot more to complete it too i believe. im not sure exactly what comes with the fang kits...especially u need to do all the trim and prep work.

and there are a couple others too that make great lids as well.....marrow sun etc......i dont know the availablility on other makers, again im sure someone that has more knowlege will chime in.

~id would also say the FPH kit.....i didnt sugest it off the bat casue i have no idea if/what the availibilty will be on these in the future. ;)
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm open to any and all ideas. The MR helmet will be my fall back I guess. I know it looks good. I just need to decide quickly. A year might seem like alot of time to the uninformed, but from everything I'm seeing, I'll be hard pressed to get it done for next year. I'm gonna try to get one item done at a time, starting with the helmet and next maybe the blaster or armor. It'll be fun.
 
The makers that have already been mentioned are both great.
I haven't personally worked on a B-M helmet, but I have worked with some of his other fiberglass armor, and I'm sure the quality would be just as excellent.
I've done build ups on 2 Sgt. Fang helmets. His are resin, so they're lighter than fiberglass, but still pretty strong, and build into nice looking buckets, too.
 
Or you could go totally scratch built like I am doing for my Mando. I didn't think I had it in me either, but after you get to actually cutting out the stencils and such, you find that you get more energized as you go alone.

Do a search for WOF templtes and you should get a few goodies. PDF download the thing and print them out and follow a tutorial that can be found on here or on the Mandalorian Mercs Page.
 
I'm definately gonna try a few different things with the armor and the gauntlets. I'm not quite ready to even think about those yet. However, I really want to get those machined parts for the gauntlets. The solid missle and the flamethrowers look awesome. I still want to buy a MR helmet whether I use it for the costume or not. I'd like to display it in my computer room.
 
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