I am starting a thread to show off my WIP Vader, but honestly I was not forced to do much of the work, so its not as labor intensive as I hoped it would be (maybe not a bad thing!)
I started with a helmet casting from a 501st member. It was totally raw other than a coat of primer on it. I ordered every bit that fenix props had in stock for the helmet and the chest box, so all I had to do was sit back and wait.
I got the helmet in one day about 2 weeks ago and jumped on my dremel, prepping it to get put together and I got an email from someone selling a suit. I was reluctant at first because I REALLY wanted to build mine the way I wanted, plus what are the odds the other guys would fit, right? Well after discussing price and measurements, turns out I have him by about 15 lbs and everything I needed fits PERFECT.
I have to say I owe him a SERIOUS debt of gratitude, this thing is amazing! I knocked out more than half of the suit in one swipe. I had already purchased machined parts from fenix for my chest box, I am currently tracking down the few switches I still need for it. I also need to rig up a chest box harness, but that shouldnt be too bad.
I will upload a few pics as soon as I can, waiting on my wife to send them to me. I was able to hook a guy up at my local comic shop with my helmet. He isnt exactly rolling in $$$ so he is going to slowly pay for the helmet and parts as he can, its a win-win situation. I will be pricing leather tomorrow, my mother in law can sew like a pro, so I will still get a little of my own work in the suit. I cant complain though, I skipped months of waiting for various pieces, I am hoping to find all the others by the end of the month so I can get it all together.
I started with a helmet casting from a 501st member. It was totally raw other than a coat of primer on it. I ordered every bit that fenix props had in stock for the helmet and the chest box, so all I had to do was sit back and wait.
I got the helmet in one day about 2 weeks ago and jumped on my dremel, prepping it to get put together and I got an email from someone selling a suit. I was reluctant at first because I REALLY wanted to build mine the way I wanted, plus what are the odds the other guys would fit, right? Well after discussing price and measurements, turns out I have him by about 15 lbs and everything I needed fits PERFECT.
I have to say I owe him a SERIOUS debt of gratitude, this thing is amazing! I knocked out more than half of the suit in one swipe. I had already purchased machined parts from fenix for my chest box, I am currently tracking down the few switches I still need for it. I also need to rig up a chest box harness, but that shouldnt be too bad.
I will upload a few pics as soon as I can, waiting on my wife to send them to me. I was able to hook a guy up at my local comic shop with my helmet. He isnt exactly rolling in $$$ so he is going to slowly pay for the helmet and parts as he can, its a win-win situation. I will be pricing leather tomorrow, my mother in law can sew like a pro, so I will still get a little of my own work in the suit. I cant complain though, I skipped months of waiting for various pieces, I am hoping to find all the others by the end of the month so I can get it all together.