Hello from "sunny" South Florida!

Hello from South Florida! I'm as green a newbie to costuming there is, but have always wanted my very own Boba armor and helmet. I would like to eventually join the 501st, but being that I've never built any sort of costumes/props and Boba is very complex that may take a few attempts. I can dream without being delusional right?

I'm not really sure where to start, although my first guess is to start by getting the soft parts together. At least the jumpsuit and vest anyway. I've been lurking around here for a little bit and have finally decided if I don't try, I'll never forgive myself.

Does anyone know if the parts from tk409.com are legit? Is there someone better? Anyone to avoid? Any advice is more than welcome. Thank you in advance and above all...

Thank you all for having me!

Welcome! I myself feel like I am in the exact same position as yourself. Always wanted to, and would never forgive myself if I didnt.

No clue on the tk409.com site though, but I know there are plenty of credible people to purchase from through both TDH and the 501st.

GL and I hope to see your progress soon!

Chris(TK409) is a good guy, but that site is quite dated. Find the contacts here by reading build threads. Depends on some factors too. Budget, timeframe, accuracy. This is an expensive passion for most here. The hobby aspect went out the window. There are resources that you can find to build your own helmet and armor. Good for some folks, and it's gotta be rewarding. Some awesome lids have been created by TDHers.
most start with the lid, but there's no wrong way to start, except EBay( other than a few select- manofwarstudios, mojoskywalker) And read read read before you buy.

Thank you guy for the input. TK website seemed like maybe it hadn't been updated in a while, but as a newbie, I couldn't be sure. I mentioned to somebody tonight (bar friend/acquaintance) about signing up and resolving myself to a life of Fett based debt. He actually said he would start with the helmet so at least its a display piece while the rest is underway. Makes sense to me. Once again, thank you for the advice, and I hope I get tired of it before the wife does....

Ok then, good starting point.
fettprides FPH2( Fettpride helmet version 2) is the baddest thing going. Long wait time but incredible quality. You can find him on FB, don't bother with PMs here for him.
animefan here makes the FP helmet using molds acquired from Fettpride. Great helmets, quick service too.
Asok also sells FP helmets, similar to animefans.
Bobamaker sells a good helmet too, but I believe it's a bit smaller than the above. Shipping is high as he's overseas.

Welcome Brother Syllander is hitting you with great info and pointing you in the right direction. Only thing I would add if I were you I would Start with a helmet to display for now but then collect all your soft parts. ok feel free to PM any of us for more assistance.
Take care Man, Late

Tk409 still does soft parts I think...they're decent actually he is a long time member and really nice guy. He was the first member I met in real life actually on accident. And was like omg you're tk409! He does c3p0 and all and is just amazing guy in general.

Thank you guys for the quick 101 advice. I have been immersing myself in many threads (keep your zombie survival pack handy) and pretty much have realized a few things.
1) At the prices things go for, I want to buy the best once instead of upgrading later, even though that funding will take longer.
2) I have the passion and hunger to do it right.
3) If its so quick and easy why don't you just build it yourself? No? That's what I thought.
4) Temeura Morrison is only 5'7". At roughly 5'6", I'm not way too short as rubies would have you believe.(never bought theirs, even their best promo photos can't hide the crap factor)
5) This should be fun, or soothing, or something not stressful. Calm down. FP will get you your stuff as soon as he can, he's not a robot slave. In the future, don't order a week before a con or take on a commissioned work if you have to wait for someone else to do their part first.

There's more that I've learned, but that gets the point across.
On to the fun...
Plan: Order an fph2. Also buy some cheapo toy boba helmet to practice painting on before potentially destroying the good one. Thinking I want bobamaker armor, so order that as funds allow. Join the 501st. Rule the world(or something)!
Yes, not exactly building my own. I don't have the tools or knowledge on the fabrication side, so I'll have to be satisfied knowing I did the paint job.
I am wondering though...is the helmet being offered by (for instance) animefan as a fettpride premium(deluxe, premiere, super-ultra, whatever he's calling it) the same as an fph2? Same goes for asok, fettworks, etc.
Being a smaller guy, am I better of with a slightly smaller bobamaker helmet so I don't look like a bobblehead? Is it not that much smaller to be more proportional?
This is so new to me, I want to know everything now. My more rational side keeps saying "be patient, things will reveal themselves when it is their time." I'm trying to listen to the rational side since I can't just upload all things Boba matrix style (I know kung fu! No, you don't)

BTW, having seen many great posts all over the forums from you guys makes me feel like I'm in good hands here. It's good to know there are way more knowledgeable people out there willing to help, even if its only a little.

At 5'6" a GMH helmet would probably fit you better. Hard to say dealing with proportions, but I'd think slightly smaller would look more accurate on you. And if you want nice armor, no one does it better than FP.
One item I failed to mention- know what version you plan to go with. Look thru the gallery. MANY versions of the fettster to get acquainted with. All the fathead pics and many toy package pics throughout the years were the prepro 2 version. The ESB version is the best (cause I said so)but definitely check out the pics from the gallery.

So...fettprides done many versions of helmet and armor over the years. The latest and LAST version is the fph2 (Fettpride helmet 2) animefan sells an older one that fp sold the mold for to him...which is an MR based helmet....less accurate and not specific to any movie...the fph2 comes as esb or Rotj with all the damage ready yo go when you get it....the gmh is a pre production 2 based helmet.... it's SLIGHTLY smaller then any other helmet that's still being produced by regular guys here ...and is still top notch....check out my fs thread for pics of one....just put a rotj version up for sale. The fp version was fiberglass and asok now has the mold and makes a resin version in cold cast resin....

And we have a bunch of great people in florida...I'm part of the Florida garrison of the 501st...just in Utah for a few more months....and back to Asia for a little while and hopefully I'll be back in FL again...check out fl501st.com for local armor parties and such to you. You'll have a squad down there. Can't think which it is for down south but there's a few since the state is so big.

@F4R, I think down south here is Everglades Garrison. I wish I could get into the bounty hunters guild website like the 501 site suggests, but I have to be a member to even just view, but how do I become a member if I can't yet join the 501, but the 501 says check out the appropriate website (in this case BH guild) for more info, but I can't sign up to see said page without first joining the 501, but...you see where that frustration lies

lots of great info from you guys...time for more research. IMHO ESB is the only way to go, especially since he was pure Billy Bad@$$ . In ROTJ, he still looked awesome, but kind of went out like a punk. That has never sat right with me (can we get a SE rewrite on that, George?). I like to think the EU is still canon in that he eventually escaped the sarlacc and is actually even tougher than the films would have us believe. Anywho...I'm off to read more threads while fighting my insomnia.

As an unTDH side note F4R, I see you're USAF. I would like to wish you safe travels, and say thank you for your service. If we ever end up meeting in person, first round is on me.

You can join the bhg site just like this one....and Lucas confirmed he made it out not EU...In a recent interview with the sw historian...

I didn't realize the sarlacc escape was canon. Thought it was just part of a short story in one of the collections (Tales of the Bounty Hunters maybe?). Your helm fs looks great, I just wish I had the spare $ to get it as quickly as you need it sold. Even if it is ROTJ and I want to do an ESB. I'm sure I will eventually have multiple variations...thinking of eventually doing a damage free one too just to see what it "used to look like" when it was "sitting on the shelf at the helmet store". That's where he got it right? The helmet store? Lolz...

Welcome to the Fett World...Sent you a PM..

klockofett said:

I didn't realize the sarlacc escape was canon. Thought it was just part of a short story in one of the collections (Tales of the Bounty Hunters maybe?). Your helm fs looks great, I just wish I had the spare $ to get it as quickly as you need it sold. Even if it is ROTJ and I want to do an ESB. I'm sure I will eventually have multiple variations...thinking of eventually doing a damage free one too just to see what it "used to look like" when it was "sitting on the shelf at the helmet store". That's where he got it right? The helmet store? Lolz...

Click to expand...

So yeh, supposidly Rinzler (Official Star Wars Historian) who is supposed to keep continuity in films and the TV shows meaning vader wont kill some jedi and then they apear in the movie wont happen...Lucas told him Fett LIVES....so if Lucas is the all knowing of SW and all...yeh he should be able to be in films that were after ROTJ maybe even a movie about it. But yes all the EU books are an alternate timeline if you will...they are not cannon.