1st time Custom Costume

[Strife]

Into:
Hey, this is my costume progress thread. My name is Adam and I am only 17, so lend me some help and ideas if you have any. Thanks.


Edit 1
I started some sketches at school and I thought I'd post them up here. I am using photobucket, hope they work for everyone.

Just some shots of my helmet. I plan on using steel or aluminum for the main portion and a skateboard helmet for the dome. The vizor is a little jaggy, I liked it that way. The arrows just tie in throughout the design. The view scope thing (forgot the name) is curved and a little odd shaped. (I saw someone who curved it and I loved it)

The torso bit, only has a shoulder bell on the left side, the right side will be more functional. I put in some bicep armor since that is rare and the right arm would look blank without it. The right arm has some talons, took them from a video game I was playing. I'll probably form them from plastic and alot of sanding.

The Back plate was my main focus here. There are 3 swords here, two will be identicle (and symetrical, just bad drawing) and one will be off set and the largest of all. It will be used by my right arm. (hence the lack of shoulder bell) There is also a large piece of something, not sure what to make it from, but that will be a shield. It will have a huge mando symbol on it.

The lower half. The crotch bit will have 2 swords on either side of my waist. Along with some more arrow/diamond things. I want to put some daggers on the legs. (I just drew some basic outline looking things) Spiked boots of course.

Those were just some quick sketches to get some ideas out there. I wanted to be a sniper, but then I realized that snipers aren't as fun as close combat. So I went the way of the samurai, I specialize in swords. If you can make it out, the last picture says "seven swords" and I realize is does say SS...sorry if that offends anyone. But I think I'll probably steer clear of blasters and focus more on close combat.

Let me know what you think, I'll draw some better pictures and actually have the whole figure next time...these are just doodles from physics class.

I'll put up some video/pictures of me on halloween sporting my custome-ish boba fett costume. It turned out great for cardboard.

Edit 2

I took out some of the swords, thought it was a little cluttered and I would rather spend the same amount of money on 1 sword and get a very high quality one. Let me know how it looks. (It is in black/white, not sure on the color scheme ideas yet)

Edit 3
Do you think a jet pack would be worth the hassle? I'm not sure if it would look right, but I will probably make one from poster board to size it up before I spend any real time on it. I think I'll make a strange looking jet pack, but still noticable.

Edit 4
Time to chime in again. I found the PERFECT color scheme for me. I am going to dedicate myself to making it these colors.

(this is Rylus Kote's scheme, props to him)
Any thoughts? I will probably be going the trash can route along with a cardboard/plastic helmet with alot of bondo work on both. Making it an in between sort of build. Better than my cardboard but not as good as the metal set I might be making. I'm going to make this set shiny, no battle damage. (unless it looks like total **** without it) And my metal set with be the battle scared set. I'll get started when I get some money...I'm selling my beloved bearded dragon and that should be just the cash I need to make this set. (hello $250 for a lizard and cage)

Also, I may skip the back piece (since trash cans won't be very good for this) and just use a cape. I'll see how it goes.

Edit 5
I have come up with a plan, so give me some thoughts on it. (Just here to bounce ideas) I don't feel too safe or experienced enough to really get working on a GREAT set of armor, made from steel and aluminum. So I am going to get working on another set of armor made of plastic (sintra or trash can) I'll go with a custom mando on both, of course.

For my first set of armor, the plastic armor I'll paint it orange, like the picture above, not too sure on the helmet though, I'll post some pictures of helmet designs and get some feedback. I'll make the helmet from either plastic or thick cardboard/posterboad/stuff that Vote for Obama signs are made of. That type of material. Of course I'll use bondo, or something like it, to coat the whole thing and sand it down to about a 500 or so. (whatever I can find at my local home improvement store) Primer and paint. The body will be sintra (costum formed to my body) or the garbage can armor using a heat gun to form it more. The arm guantlets are going to be hard for me, not sure what I am going to do for them. I will probably follow WoL's plans or someone else's and go from there. I'll make shin guards out of plastic and shin guards (a combination) and then bondo them, sand them to shape. Primer and paint. The jet pack is something I am undecided about as of yet, I will probably just form a back piece and make a heavy cape and skip the jet pack for now. The weapons will be some nerf guns painted black with some orange to match the rest of the suit. I'll get a black jumpsuit for now and just work off that.

The metal set will come later, after finishing this set. After i finish this (my 2ed mando) and I'll have a plastic set and a cardboard set. One for me and one for a friend if we ever want to go some where.

Edit 6
1manbatallion gave me some ideas, or I stole some from his avitar. http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/customavatars/avatar7844_4.gif
Just posting the link so I dont lose it. I like how it is set up, the paint. It's pretty cool looking.

I got some ideas for my arm guantlets too.

Edit 7
Here are some ideas I had for my helmet...the helmet will be my base for the entire paint scheme. So feel free to post some pictures of your helm or give some suggestions of what you like. I might be missing something that I might like.

I think I might go with the helmet label #2...but then I might also lean towards an aqua Mando and instead of a jet pack go with a torpedo like propellent. Thoughts?

Edit 8
I am alll over the place. I am torn between my desert looking mando and an aqua mando. I am in love with the torpedo like jet pack that I designed for underwater movement and I could be an aqua assailant. I am also undecided on which material I want to use, I could use the plastic, which would be easy and low cost, or I could attempt the metal, which would be tough and high quality.

If someone could just chime in their opinion that would be great.

Edit 9
I am going to get started on my helmet today. I am going to make it out of fiber board/matte board/ cardboard/ card stock stuff. Wish me luck on my adventure. ^^

Edit 10
As of 11-18-08 I have started on my costume. I went looking for a jump suit, flight suit, welding suit. Pretty much anything, didn't find anything to fit my taste, will try again later. I started on the helmet. I printed out all the templates, cut them and formed the inner part of the helmet that you wrap your actually helmet around. (The pieces that aren't actually part of the helmet, they are just there to support it as you make it) Tomorrow I will start forming the inner helm and make the mask.

No pictures, don't have a camera right now. I will hopefully get one before I make too much progress. Any tips on a cheap visor? I hear face shields are good and only like $5.

 

[Racin Vhett]

since I am only about 1 step ahead of you I'll fill you in on what I learned.

Most people make the armor goodies out of sintra, fiberglass, trashcan plastic, or cardboard. Cardboard was really easy, but I gotta tell you the results are faaaar from perfect.

Enough chipboard (matteboard) will probably be $10 that enough to make all the "hard parts" $10 in vinyl for a vest, and $30 for a set of blue coveralls (jango BTW)

gloves and boots vary, with jango you can get away with more generic stuff I suppose


Its taken about 15 hours if I were to guess to get where I am now, which is not anywhere near what would pass muster for 501st. This is a halloween costume, I know its going to get beaten on.

I used cardboard for the helmet and got pretty good results in the tube section, knowing what I know now I would likely use something different for the dome.

price of fiberglass varies, if you buy little packages from the auto parts store or a patch kit from lowes, its pricey, buy it by the yard from fiberglast and resin by the gallon. You save a lot.

welding sheild as a visor hands down. it fits the curve almost perfectly and is flexible enoungh to go the rest of the way.

spraypaint (rattlecan) can produce good results if your prepwork is good and you use light and even passes. Airbrush works best.

I bought a rubies set of blasters for my jango costume, they are fine for halloween but they will not be the final pair.

people here are fairly forgiving of noob questions.

If I can give a bit of advice, don't expect amazing results the first time around. Most of the best costumers on this board have done 3 suits before their current. It is just as much about refining your technique as it is the materials you are using. It was my first attempt so I went cheap. My next will have much better materials and will not be "wasted" money because I will be able to apply the lessons I learned through triumph and mishap 9mostly mishap) in this costume.

Build you skillset. Its amazing what you will learn once you convince yourself that you can.

 

[LadySewforus]

Welcome to TDH Strife!!

This thread may give you some good ideas of cost and about getting started...
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showthread.php?t=17421

Racin Vhett, that was a great response!!

Use the search function, just type in a keyword(s). It will take some time, but the more research you can do the better. If you do purchase from anyone, know what you are getting, how much it will really cost, how long it will take until you receive it, if it is the proper size for you (armor sizes vary and you may want to make sure you have armor that fits your frame) and always make sure you get references for any vendor that you may think about purchasing from!

:cheers

 

[Aden Skirata]

1. What are most costumes made out of? Which is the easiest?

Sintra, trashcan, pvc, metal, cardboard or fiberglass. sintra is prolly the easiest and best lokking.

2. How much does it cost to make a costume? (on average)

can cost as little as $100.00 or more than a $1,000.00

3. How much would it cost to buy a costume?

more than it's worth and the quality, in general, would be lower than expected. that being said, if you buy from a reputible retiring costumer you can do alright. but, you miss the fun and pride of doing it yourself.

4. How long would it take to make the costume?

depends how much time you have to put into and how fluid your funds are. if you're experienced, have the time and money, you can do it in 4-6 weeks. if not, it can take years.

5. What material do you use for helmets?

pretty much same as the armor. you can get premades as well... avoid the rubies helmets , with the exception of ther 95/96 don posts, unless you have a really small head or are just plain broke.

6. Is fiber glass expensive?

if you buy premade fiberglass plates, they're spendy. if you use cardboard and a do it yourself home fiberglass kit, cheaper than sintra.

7. What is the best thing to use for a visor in the helmet?

www.tvisior.com

8. Do you use spray paint when you paint?

rattle can spray paints or, an airbrush if you have one and are skilled with it.

9. What material would give me the most bang for my buck? (for constructing the costume)

sintra, 1 8'x4' sheet should do your whole set for under $40.00.

10. Guns, do you make yours? Buy and paint them? Just any info on guns would help. my first was a rebuilt, repainted nerf recon cs-6. my second was commisioned by tahl taab and was well worth the $175.00 i spent on it.

11. Is this even the right section to be totally clueless?

lol, why not! are you doing boba, jango or a custom? if a custom, this is right but, be sure to check out the mercs too. both sites are invaluable to the mandalorian costumer!

 

[proto fett]

1.) Ask your parents for the money they saved for your first year of college.

2.) Send it all to Bobamaker, he'll know how to help you. Good luck.

 

[SinisterFett]

LOL @ Proto-Fett

Oh Yeah!! I can see that going down like a sack of wet brown stuff.

My advice before you do anything is to go through TDH with a fine tooth comb. Use the search function and read as much as you can. Bookmark threads that help you out such as all the "how to's" from fabricating the soft parts, jet pack, belts to the templates for the armour for personal referance during the build.
This is not going to be an easy project and will take a lot of time and patience, but if you don't rush it you should end up with a very nice suit at the end whichever direction you decide to go.
Most of all you should have fun. Good hunting

 

[leatherneckclone]

well there is this thread goin around about trash can fett armor, really clean cut and nice

 

[tbone9600]

You might also look for wizardofflight's templates. I think there are shortcuts to them in the wiki. He has them for most, if not all, of the hard parts. Some are even in different sizes. If you can get sintra, trash cans or even styrene all you have to do is print the templates, trace them and cut them out. Then you're on your way. As Jaing Skirata, suggested though, sintra is prolly the easiest and best looking if you want to make it yourself. It is easy to work with and has a multitude of uses, and you can usually pick up a 4'x8' sheet for about 40 bucks, I think, and have tons left to use for other projects. Also maybe try skupilkinsons pepakura templates. I think he has the helmet, jet pack and gauntlets on here. You can use paper to build those then just coat with fiberglass. As others have said too, just have a look around keeping any eye out for how to's and build progress threads, and bookmark them. They can be really helpful. They were for me.

 

[Royal Nortron Cla]

I spent about 60 hours on my costume and about $150.00 so far. That was alot of scratchbuilt out of Plastic License Plates, Fiberglass, Matte Board and an old Bicycle helmet. I also found a few usefull old toy parts to throw some greeblies in! Oh and I forgot: Velcro> Velcro is a man's best friend in the costuming world

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...ID=278934659&albumID=1229358&imageID=16162813

 

[Boomer Fett]

If you are impatient there are some incredibly helpful people here who can set you going in the right direction (I know from experience). Get ready for a "family" experience. We help each other here and you should think of it as a "pay it forward" experience. I started my Fett in March and wore it for the first time yesterday and its still not complete. I have around $1200 in mine and I went cheap on a lot of things that I had to fix and upgrade to afterward. In my oppinion there are some really great members here that make some awesome parts. This is MY oppinion here for a list of makers and their items.

Soft parts- LadySewforus (hands down the most helpful and understanding (Hi Deb))
Armor- Learn the name BOBA MAKER (I don't own any but we all want it) I have BradlyFett and LOVE mine!
Jet Pack- Manofwar
Gauntlets- Manofwar (I own Ruffkin and like them but its a wait)
Helmets- SGT Fang
Spats- Seven
Belts- 99Centtaco (Big time Best)
Painting- Spideyfett produces some awesome work and is a class act (I once again don't own but want)
Boots- CABoots seems to be the place but I made my own from tk409 tutorials
Jet Pack harness's- FettDad makes a very durable and fair priced model
Blaster's- I don't know. I like the one I have but will never mention the makers name due to frustration on shipping time.
Knees- Stormrider! Great guy too.
RF lights- THE Mrgr8ness

This is my oppinnion and a place to start. Good luck and WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!!

 

[Strife]

Sorry I haven't replied. xD I had to go to a costume party and it ended up pretty nice. I made it out of cardboard and cardstock, along with paper machè. (i have no idea how to spell that) I do plan on going with sintra, or a big water barrel, something of that sort. I think I can get a heat gun to work with, but the armor is the easy part. It's the helmet that I think is the toughest part, along with the jet pack. My jet pack turned out great, but the missle was ****. xD It looked cool, but it was a rush job. I spent 30 hours or so on my costume, did it in under a week and spent $20 or so. Perfect for halloween. But as I have said, I want to make a better one, so I am going to get started by finding a GOOD jump suit. A real one...I just used a black shirt and black pants, covered the seem with my belt.

Thanks for all the advice, I am going custom. I plan on making mine a sniper varient, since my favorite gun ever is the .50 cal sniper. I'll post some pictures from halloween. I was playing guitar hero 4 with my friends at the costume party...it looks hilarious. I'm dressed as boba fett, playing the guitar, my friend is vader, on the drums, his brother is a jedi playing the other guitar, darth maul is doing something, and we have a banana singing.

anyway, I'll make a thread with my progress...when i get some progress. xD

 

[Strife]

I have a question, I find my self in possession of an old steel washermachine. Not sure how thick the metal is, but it is steel and I know metal would make an awesome mando costume. Should I use the steel from that? (it is free and I am on a pretty limited budget, time isn't an issue) I'm not sure how hard metal cutting is, but I have some steel snips and I've worked with sanding, painting, and general metal work before. So basically, would steel from a washermachine make decent armor? (chest, shoulder, back, legs) I am undecided about using it for a helmet, I might make the helmet from the steel and an old skateboarding helmet.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Strife]

I changed the thread up a bit since I can't seem to make another thread. If anyone knows why I can't make another thread, let me know. Thanks

 

[Boomer Fett]

You are too new still. Post to some other threads and build up your credibility. The washer sound interesting though...Post pics. Oh yes, also if you reply to folks it builds credibility as well....Good luck

 

[Runtman]

Credibility? What does that have to do with anything? If he wants to build armour then he builds armour, regardless of people's opinion...

Anyways, people have made metal armour before, with some very impressive results... browse through this section of the forum, you'll find it. It's likely to be a little tricky, but if you've had experience with metal working before, I don't see why you couldn't.

 

[Boomer Fett]

Credibility? What does that have to do with anything? If he wants to build armour then he builds armour, regardless of people's opinion...

Anyways, people have made metal armour before, with some very impressive results... browse through this section of the forum, you'll find it. It's likely to be a little tricky, but if you've had experience with metal working before, I don't see why you couldn't.

LOL! I meant nothing by that! They have changed the rules for new members now. They are limited on access to certain locations and post ability. I think they need 14 or more posts to become "Full members". Believe me, I am WAAAAAYYYY to new here to be talking smack to anyone!!!!:cheers

 

[Runtman]

Ah, okay. I was gettin confused lol

 

[Punhulk]

not sure but metal can have very sharp jagged edges as well as weight can be difficult also denting the armor is much easier is vacform, fiberglass, bondo has some give vs tin metal that could just dent with the tiniest amount of force plus painting be a bit hard you would have to sand and wet sand really well and use a really good primer for a good hold but you also have to think about detailing because detailing and tailoring metal is a much more vigourse(sp) activity than just getting the dremel or block sander and sanding some plastic or fiberglass,

all in all it could work just be alot of work to get it set and done

 

[NovallTalon]

I'll put my 2 cents in here on metal armor.

1) It takes time to learn how to dish (hammer a curve into the metal.). There are some really good videos put together by a fellow metal mando that can step you through learning. It takes some tools to do, you can't just bang on it and expect it to be good.

2) Washing machine metal is probably 20-22 guage in thickness. This is plenty thick for mando armor since we're talking about steel. If you want to give it a thicker look, you can roll the edges down a bit to make it look like it has more mass.

3) Metal can cut you...it's sharp! Most of us who work with it have learned this by now and take all safety precautions like using gloves and eye protection. Sometimes you need to work with heat (torches/welders/forges) to get the metal to move the way you want it. I honestly would suggest starting with Aluminum. It's much lighter and easier to hammer, however it cannot flex...so if you ever crease it then your screwed.

not sure but metal can have very sharp jagged edges as well as weight can be difficult also denting the armor is much easier is vacform, fiberglass, bondo has some give vs tin metal that could just dent with the tiniest amount of force plus painting be a bit hard you would have to sand and wet sand really well and use a really good primer for a good hold but you also have to think about detailing because detailing and tailoring metal is a much more vigourse(sp) activity than just getting the dremel or block sander and sanding some plastic or fiberglass,

all in all it could work just be alot of work to get it set and done

None of this makes any sense to me, and having worked with metal for years...and having one of most noticed/advanced sets of mando in the world, I'd say I have a good amount of experience with metal. You can use a dremel on metal the same as you can anything else, you just need more grinding wheels. You can sand metal all day long with whatever grit paper you want and IMHO get a better effect because you don't lose noticeable mass like you can if you over sand fiber or plastic. Stick with aluminum or steel, and you won't go wrong.

 

[Strife]

Okay, I don't know when I can get some pictures. I just have to talk my dad into letting me use it instead of throwing it away. I'm not too sure if I am going to weather my armor heavely, like alot of people do. I kinda wanted to go for the fresh mando look...see how that looks and then work from there.

Thanks for the replies...I have no idea if I can get access to a heat sorce. I have a gas stove though xD (just kidding, that would be a terrible idea) I'll look into it though and see if I can't get a digital camera to post up some pictures of it.