Slave2112's ESB Build

[Slave2112]

Hey there, everyone!

I first started down the path of building an ESB Fett back in 2003, and have been lurking this forum ever since. Somewhere between 2003-2006, I bought an MH2 helmet, girth, knee armor, shin tools and a cape from TK-409. In mid-2007, I opted to pull the rip-cord on this project, as I ran into financial issues. I ended up selling everything but the cape.

In 2022, I got the bug again after attending a local minor league baseball game on their "Star Wars nite" and saw a Fett walking around. I was hooked. I don't have the space (or the talent) to paint the parts myself, so I've been taking the expensive road and picking up parts from the people far more capable than, and slowly buying the components. (I'm comfortable with weathering, but that's about it.) I've got everything but the jetpack, which is on order (I know what 7CS is going through, so I'm being patient for that), so it's time to start assembling/weathering the full kit.

My goal is to join the 501st and get involved with the various troops in this area. I'm looking forward to learning more about this process, and looking for tips/insights/critiques from other members here.

My parts list:

Item	My Vendors
Cape	TK-409
EE-3 Rifle	Andy Meyers
Gauntlets	MinuteFett
Armor	MinuteFett
Helmet	MinuteFett
Helmet Paint	CounterFett Creations
Helmet Range Finder Lights	JC27
Chest lights	Fettronics
Flight suit+neck seal / thigh pockets / flak vest	Arkady
XLR cable and connector	Me (had a spare bad cable)
Gloves	Clothiers
Pulce 40	Andy Meyers
Ammo belt	BobaMaker
Nemrod Holster	BobaMaker
Shin Tools	BobaMaker
Girth belt	BobaMaker
Toe Spikes	MachineCraft Replicas
Jetpack harness	BigDane
Helmet liner and fans	UkswrathsSpecialty
Jetpack, beacon light, hardware, upgraded metal parts	7CS
Boots	Man of War Studios
Wookiee braids	JoJoFett

 

[BudaFett]

Nice! Let's see it suited up!

 

[Slave2112]

Nice! Let's see it suited up!

I need to figure out how I want to attach the armor to the vest. I know about the pins-method, but I've seen posts with the magnet method, and I'm kinda leaning that way.

I really want to start with dirtying-up the flight suit. I have an airbrush, but it's not the best. I saw a post last night about using a spray bottle and rubbing the "dirt" in with a rag. I may be taking that route for that.

 

[Krewkid82]

My first set of armor i did the jewelery pin/clutch back method and it worked great! If your worried about airbrushing the flight suit since it's not as forgiving try dirty down sprays or monroe railroad weathering powders if anything messes up you can just wash them away

 

[Slave2112]

My first set of armor i did the jewelery pin/clutch back method and it worked great! If your worried about airbrushing the flight suit since it's not as forgiving try dirty down sprays or monroe railroad weathering powders if anything messes up you can just wash them away

I spent part of last night paging through your thread. Nice job!

My airbrush is old as anything, and I've never been able to get it to be consistant. (I got it for Christmas when I was around 13.) I have a compressor that runs non-stop (no container to build up pressure), and it rattles off anything I put it on. The idea of using a spray bottle sounded extremely do-able, without having to deal with my airbrush issues. I've got acryllic paints already...just need a spray bottle I don't mind trashing on paint filled water.

I do want to look into the Dirty Down sprays. I expect to be washing the suit often enough (I live in west-central Florida), so I want something that's not going to wash itself out.

 

[Krewkid82]

I spent part of last night paging through your thread. Nice job!

My airbrush is old as anything, and I've never been able to get it to be consistant. (I got it for Christmas when I was around 13.) I have a compressor that runs non-stop (no container to build up pressure), and it rattles off anything I put it on. The idea of using a spray bottle sounded extremely do-able, without having to deal with my airbrush issues. I've got acryllic paints already...just need a spray bottle I don't mind trashing on paint filled water.

I do want to look into the Dirty Down sprays. I expect to be washing the suit often enough (I live in west-central Florida), so I want something that's not going to wash itself out.

Thanks for checking out my thread! Ya I live in South-East Texas so you already know it's humid hahaha...I washed it before I re-weathered it. Im trying to think of ways to keep my kit smelling ok without washing it

 

[Slave2112]

Thanks for checking out my thread! Ya I live in South-East Texas so you already know it's humid hahaha...I washed it before I re-weathered it. Im trying to think of ways to keep my kit smelling ok without washing it

I wanted to have my kit done back in November, so I could avoid suiting up in the Florida heat. Still unfortunately waiting on that jetpack, but I'm not complaining about that.

As far as helping with the odor, you can try treating soft parts with how I maintain my hockey gear....put a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. It'll kill the bacteria that causes the stink. Fabreeze is good, but some people may not be agreeable to the fragrance.

Something else might work....put the parts that smell in a garbage bag, squeeze all of the air out of the bag and tie it shut. Put the bag in the freezer over night. The cold also kills that bacteria. (I'm not sure I'd do this with any plastics or armor pieces.)

 

[lowberg]

What a nice collection of parts! Looking forward to watching this come together!

Also can vouch for pins with clutchback method. No issues with them falling off, repositionable, and they will not move or slide at all on your gear like magnets could.

As far as minimizing washing goes, sport equipment spray works extremely well for me ( I use Odor Aid since I can get it at work, but I've heard Clear Gear works very well too). After trooping turn the flight suit, vest and neck seal inside out and spray it all over and hang dry.

 

[viewoptic]

Some people also use high proof vodka or similar to spray on certain areas of flight suit to keep washing at a minimum.

 

[Slave2112]

What a nice collection of parts! Looking forward to watching this come together!

Also can vouch for pins with clutchback method. No issues with them falling off, repositionable, and they will not move or slide at all on your gear like magnets could.

As far as minimizing washing goes, sport equipment spray works extremely well for me ( I use Odor Aid since I can get it at work, but I've heard Clear Gear works very well too). After trooping turn the flight suit, vest and neck seal inside out and spray it all over and hang dry.

Thanks! Me too. I plan to go out and grab a spray bottle this evening (and may look for the Dirty Down spray too).

Do you feel the anchor side of the pins at all through the flight suit?

 

[Slave2112]

Some people also use high proof vodka or similar to spray on certain areas of flight suit to keep washing at a minimum.

I've seen that as well, seems like a waste of vodka.

 

[Krewkid82]

Thanks! Me too. I plan to go out and grab a spray bottle this evening (and may look for the Dirty Down spray too).

Do you feel the anchor side of the pins at all through the flight suit?

You only feel them if someone comes up and pushes on your armor other that no you don't feel them.

I used these pins

and these locking clutch backs

Then I just epoxy resin them to the plates...works like a charm they never fall off compared to magnets and you can move the plates around if you don't like the spacing.

 

[Krewkid82]

Heres a link for the Dirty Down sprays that ships in the US.

Shop All | Goblin's Hut

Browse Dirty Down and Chronicle RPG Products

www.goblinshut.com

 

[Slave2112]

I only have 1 “full-length” mirror, and that’s in a hallway, so if I’m doing pics by myself, this is the best I’m going to get. I’m 6’-2” (and about 205 lbs), so I hope the Vaders here are tall. )

Clean & tidy pic.

 

[Slave2112]

Heres a link for the Dirty Down sprays that ships in the US.

Shop All | Goblin's Hut

Browse Dirty Down and Chronicle RPG Products

www.goblinshut.com

Thanks for the pics of the pins & backings, as well as the link to the Dirty Down....I've saved those so I can look into them later.

 

[Slave2112]

My boots are snug, but comfortable. Still, they’re hard to slide into. These were a worthy $10.

 

[Krewkid82]

My boots are snug, but comfortable. Still, they’re hard to slide into. These were a worthy $10.

View attachment 246059

I know a few stormtroopers that use these lol

 

[Krewkid82]

Man 6'2" makes an awesome Fett..At 5'8" + 2" lifts and 170lbs even though it still looks good I look proportionally off especially in my legs to me. I have really muscular legs from all the skateboarding and onewheeling that I do. Maybe if I shrunk my thigh pouches alittle bit it will look even better.

 

[Slave2112]

Man 6'2" makes an awesome Fett..At 5'8" + 2" lifts and 170lbs even though it still looks good I look proportionally off especially in my legs to me. I have really muscular legs from all the skateboarding and onewheeling that I do. Maybe if I shrunk my thigh pouches alittle bit it will look even better.

I’ve had people say that a taller Fett would be a lot more imposing. When I look at pictures from ESB, Mr. Bullock appears (to me) to be a bit more thinner than I am. I’m just hoping that this gear all looks ok on me in the end.

One concern I have is the helmet. When I put it on, I’ve got my eyes in the T, to maximize my vision. The problem is, I almost feel like it sits a bit too close to my shoulders, so my neck isn’t as visible. I’m not sure that’ll matter in the end, but I can’t really look up too much with it on.

 

[Krewkid82]

This is what I did for my build for now i plan on building and adding a hardhat harness and chin strap.