TheLavaMelon
New Hunter
Intro: (see General - Is it possible to build a costume in a month? (with a full time job))
Myself and a group of my friends going to a costume dance as Star Wars characters, and I chose Boba Fett. But, the dance is only about four weeks from today (2020-09-24).
I'm not looking for 501st approval, but I don't want overpriced garbage. If I end up with garbage, I don't want to spend any money on it.
Part status:
Main suit:
Day 0:
Ordered a helmet kit and flightsuit from a couple of forum members. I'll shout 'em out when their items come up in the build.
A failed attempt at knee armor:
For what I ended up with for the dance, see post #36 on page two
Best regards,
- TheLavaMelon
Myself and a group of my friends going to a costume dance as Star Wars characters, and I chose Boba Fett. But, the dance is only about four weeks from today (2020-09-24).
I'm not looking for 501st approval, but I don't want overpriced garbage. If I end up with garbage, I don't want to spend any money on it.
Part status:
Main suit:
- Flight Suit (acquired, fits great)
- Flak vest (completed)
- Helmet (completed)
- Cape (acquired)
- Girthbelt (completed)
- Ammo Belt (completed)
- Blaster (completed)
- Knee (completed)
- Chest (completed)
- Shoulder (completed)
- Collar (completed)
- Cod (completed)
- Back (cut out)
- Kidney (completed)
- Armor - Chest LED's (ordered fettronics) (completed)
- Gloves
- Jetpack
- Boots
- Gauntlets
- Gauntlet - Flamethrower Nozzles
- Gauntlets - Darts
- Gauntlets - Rocket
- Gauntlets - Hose
- Wookie Braids
- Shin Tools
- Voice Box
Day 0:
Ordered a helmet kit and flightsuit from a couple of forum members. I'll shout 'em out when their items come up in the build.
A failed attempt at knee armor:
Day 1:
I started on the knee armor. The rough plan for all of the armor pieces is as follows:
I cut some plastic out of a sterilite container and formed it with a heat gun on a PVC pipe. Then I took it to the band saw to make the edges even-ish and split it in half-ish:
Then I looked at the 501st front and rear references and marked out how I wanted to cut one of them. (I messed up so I also scribed in the sharpie where I wanted to be):
Cutting time:
And then there were two:
(Yes, I know they aren't symmetrical. I don't think anybody will notice without seeming really awkward...)
I cut out a couple pieces of vegtan cowhide:
And then soaked them in hot water for five minutes (just hot from the tap, no boiling or else it will become extremely brittle).
Note that it will start to fizz when you first put it in. That is the air escaping and for some reason it becomes way more pliable and when it dries it will retain its shape.
(I had to hold it below the water level)
I then hung them to dry on the same pipe as before:
Now I need to wait overnight and then tomorrow morning I can glue the leather on. Once I get the knees to the point where I have a metallic base coat, I will start forming the plastic for the rest of the armor.
I'll take any advice and/or constructive criticism you throw at me!
I started on the knee armor. The rough plan for all of the armor pieces is as follows:
- Heat form a plastic base for the shape
- Cut out the piece
- Form a piece of leather to match
- Glue the leather to the plastic
- Trim the leather to the edge of the plastic (maybe I'll try to fold it over the edge?)
- Clearcoat?
- Paint/weather
I cut some plastic out of a sterilite container and formed it with a heat gun on a PVC pipe. Then I took it to the band saw to make the edges even-ish and split it in half-ish:
Then I looked at the 501st front and rear references and marked out how I wanted to cut one of them. (I messed up so I also scribed in the sharpie where I wanted to be):
Cutting time:
And then there were two:
(Yes, I know they aren't symmetrical. I don't think anybody will notice without seeming really awkward...)
I cut out a couple pieces of vegtan cowhide:
And then soaked them in hot water for five minutes (just hot from the tap, no boiling or else it will become extremely brittle).
Note that it will start to fizz when you first put it in. That is the air escaping and for some reason it becomes way more pliable and when it dries it will retain its shape.
(I had to hold it below the water level)
I then hung them to dry on the same pipe as before:
Now I need to wait overnight and then tomorrow morning I can glue the leather on. Once I get the knees to the point where I have a metallic base coat, I will start forming the plastic for the rest of the armor.
I'll take any advice and/or constructive criticism you throw at me!
For what I ended up with for the dance, see post #36 on page two
Best regards,
- TheLavaMelon
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