Tfett40
Active Hunter
I am 1 month into my ESB Boba Fett build and building any costume is new to me. When I became serious about this project, I actually got really lucky to find quality used items in the Cargo Hold. I picked up a full set up FettPride Armor and MOW Gaunlets already painted. I was super excited that this new guy didn't have to do the hard work of trimming, assembly and painting. Getting painted goods seemed perfect. Well, not really..there is a down side, sort of.
1st of all, for any new folks considering buying used equipment think about this. Not all bodies are created equal. If you are 6'0 and 215lbs, used armor from someone 5'8 160lbs might not fit you. Remember, used armor was trimmed or fitted to that particular person, not you. Modifications might be needed and hopefully it is to trim down and not make bigger. 2nd, color matching might be a problem. If the armor requires touch-ups, you have to worry about getting the same paint brand to match your armor. Even though, you might have the exact paint the way you apply it can change the shade or overall appearance. I not discouraging cargo hold buys, but just make sure you get a general idea on the person build, paint used etc to help you pick what is best for you.
Although, I have a ESB Build thread, I thought I would share in more detail my process of modifying and changing used pieces which I picked up that might be useful.
One of the first items I purchased from the Cargo Hold are these Man Of War Gaunlets. I was told they had some wear from trooping which could be cleaned up with touching the paint and that they attachments with piano hinges and clips:
I was thrilled to get one of my first pieces for Fett. I absolutely was amazed by the detail and set up for them. However, the problem I had was that they were tailored for someone with much smaller forearms then me and I had a difficult time closing and opening them around my forearms. One of the first things I did was remove the foam padding. This really opened space in the right gauntlet, but the left gauntlet was a bigger problem.
I love the set up of the hinge and clip to open and secure the gaunlets.Unfortanely for me, due to the hinge being placed on the left side of the gaunlet, the flamethrower plate stopped it from opening up fully.
As you can see in the picture it would only open a few inches and I had a really hard time placing my forearm in and out.
This set up was not going to work for me and I needed to flip the set up to the opposite side. Not an easy task, considering the hinge was secured with an epoxy and I could not open the gauntlet fully to work it out.
To open up the gauntlet, I clamped it down to a table and used a nail punch to tap the rod out of the hinge. Slow and steady.
Due to the length of the nail punch, I was only able to get it out about maybe 3/4 of an inch as you can see below. Not much, but enough.
I then used needle nose pliers and lubricating oil which I put into the hinges and slowly wiggled and pulled the rod straight out. A slow process, because I did not want to bend it to much and make it more difficult.
Once I got the gauntlet opened, it was time to pull off the hinges. This was an extremely time consuming because it was a delicate process of trying not to damage it. I had read that acetone could help break down certain epoxies, but I did not want to damage the paint. So I used Q-tips to dip into the acetone and then rub onto the epoxy around the hinge to soften it up.
I next used a set of different size exacto knife blades to cut around and under the hinge and clips.
Taaaadaaa!
I used a rotary tool to sand down the existing foam, glue and nylon strapping from clips as best as I could without stripping the existing fiberglass.
I was able to track down a new hinge from Lowes and then had my buddy cut it to length.
Do not try this techinque at home boys and girls, probably not the safest
I found the nylon strapping and clips at Joan's Fabrics & Craft Store
To attach the hinges to the gauntlets, I opted to go with JB Weld epoxy.
If you noticed I painted the inside of the gauntlets. I received my first airbrush and decided to practice by painting the inside before I actually do any touch ups on the outer shell. It is ehhhh job, but
at least I have a feel for the airbursh. I also end up sanding the areas that I put down glue to get good contact.
After the hinges were secure, all that was left was adding the clips. To do this, I cut a piece of nylon strapping to length. I then attached them with a bit of hot glue. Hot glue is not permanent like epoxy and can be
easily lifted and removed. But it gave me a secure enough hold until I got the alignment perfect. I end up removing and re-positioning the clips around 6x before I got it right.
Once I secured one end of the clip, I closed the gauntlet to align the second one in a closed position.
Make sure to use enough tension when securing the second strap.
To much slack and it won't close right or it will leave a gap between the 2 shells when closed.
After a few test runs of opening and closing the gauntlets with the clips and when I became happy with where I placed them, I put a layer of JB Weld Epoxy on the strapping.
Up next is repainting the left gaunlet
1st of all, for any new folks considering buying used equipment think about this. Not all bodies are created equal. If you are 6'0 and 215lbs, used armor from someone 5'8 160lbs might not fit you. Remember, used armor was trimmed or fitted to that particular person, not you. Modifications might be needed and hopefully it is to trim down and not make bigger. 2nd, color matching might be a problem. If the armor requires touch-ups, you have to worry about getting the same paint brand to match your armor. Even though, you might have the exact paint the way you apply it can change the shade or overall appearance. I not discouraging cargo hold buys, but just make sure you get a general idea on the person build, paint used etc to help you pick what is best for you.
Although, I have a ESB Build thread, I thought I would share in more detail my process of modifying and changing used pieces which I picked up that might be useful.
One of the first items I purchased from the Cargo Hold are these Man Of War Gaunlets. I was told they had some wear from trooping which could be cleaned up with touching the paint and that they attachments with piano hinges and clips:
I was thrilled to get one of my first pieces for Fett. I absolutely was amazed by the detail and set up for them. However, the problem I had was that they were tailored for someone with much smaller forearms then me and I had a difficult time closing and opening them around my forearms. One of the first things I did was remove the foam padding. This really opened space in the right gauntlet, but the left gauntlet was a bigger problem.
I love the set up of the hinge and clip to open and secure the gaunlets.Unfortanely for me, due to the hinge being placed on the left side of the gaunlet, the flamethrower plate stopped it from opening up fully.
As you can see in the picture it would only open a few inches and I had a really hard time placing my forearm in and out.
This set up was not going to work for me and I needed to flip the set up to the opposite side. Not an easy task, considering the hinge was secured with an epoxy and I could not open the gauntlet fully to work it out.
To open up the gauntlet, I clamped it down to a table and used a nail punch to tap the rod out of the hinge. Slow and steady.
Due to the length of the nail punch, I was only able to get it out about maybe 3/4 of an inch as you can see below. Not much, but enough.
I then used needle nose pliers and lubricating oil which I put into the hinges and slowly wiggled and pulled the rod straight out. A slow process, because I did not want to bend it to much and make it more difficult.
Once I got the gauntlet opened, it was time to pull off the hinges. This was an extremely time consuming because it was a delicate process of trying not to damage it. I had read that acetone could help break down certain epoxies, but I did not want to damage the paint. So I used Q-tips to dip into the acetone and then rub onto the epoxy around the hinge to soften it up.
I next used a set of different size exacto knife blades to cut around and under the hinge and clips.
Taaaadaaa!
I used a rotary tool to sand down the existing foam, glue and nylon strapping from clips as best as I could without stripping the existing fiberglass.
I was able to track down a new hinge from Lowes and then had my buddy cut it to length.
Do not try this techinque at home boys and girls, probably not the safest
I found the nylon strapping and clips at Joan's Fabrics & Craft Store
To attach the hinges to the gauntlets, I opted to go with JB Weld epoxy.
If you noticed I painted the inside of the gauntlets. I received my first airbrush and decided to practice by painting the inside before I actually do any touch ups on the outer shell. It is ehhhh job, but
at least I have a feel for the airbursh. I also end up sanding the areas that I put down glue to get good contact.
After the hinges were secure, all that was left was adding the clips. To do this, I cut a piece of nylon strapping to length. I then attached them with a bit of hot glue. Hot glue is not permanent like epoxy and can be
easily lifted and removed. But it gave me a secure enough hold until I got the alignment perfect. I end up removing and re-positioning the clips around 6x before I got it right.
Once I secured one end of the clip, I closed the gauntlet to align the second one in a closed position.
Make sure to use enough tension when securing the second strap.
To much slack and it won't close right or it will leave a gap between the 2 shells when closed.
After a few test runs of opening and closing the gauntlets with the clips and when I became happy with where I placed them, I put a layer of JB Weld Epoxy on the strapping.
Up next is repainting the left gaunlet
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Looks like its all coming along well, I enjoyed the breakdown of step by steps
