Hey Andrew, I am in the process of an ESB build. I am wanting to build as much as I can. And by doing so I am cutting my build cost down tremendously, probably a fraction of the cost of buying items already made. There is a downside though, and that is it definitely takes more time.
I managed to fully 3d print my entire jetpack for less than $50 in ASB plastic. It took a couple hundred hours to print and serveral more hours of sanding and prepping and painted.
While not perfect, I thought it turned out very nice and local members of the 501st and Mando Mercs were blown away that it was a 3d print and a recent event/meet and greet.
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