TheLavaMelon's budget build (WIP)
- Thread starter TheLavaMelon
- Start date
joe
Active Hunter
I'm pretty sure I have this same thing, but it has a different sticker in storage since it's from a few years ago. It isn't very good. It doesn't really change your voice it just tries to amplify it, but doesn't work all that well.
I can snap a pic later if you are interested, but honestly it isn't worth the money in my opinion when I was just testing it for fun not in costume.
Ord Mantell
Well-Known Hunter
If you need quick and dirty gauntlets, I have extra tops for both left and right that are very slightly damaged I can donate to you, gratis. No greeblies. Just the abs shells. With your skill level you could fix them up and get them to look just fine.
chris2fett
New Hunter
I love this build thread... Fettheads jumping in to help each other out. Awesome!
chris2fett
That’s what we’re all about!
TheLavaMelon
I’m not sure if the helmet you’ve purchased comes with a “Borden Connector” but I’ve got a resin (Boba Maker) one. PM your address and I’ll even pay the shipping. Just looking to donate it to a good cause.
If your not familiar with what a Borden Connector is, it’s that little circle piece that has three holes in it that gets attached to the helmet. Like this....
Again, just let me know via PM if you want it.
Thanks,
-Iron
TheLavaMelon
New Hunter
PM Sent. Thank you very much!
I'm not sure if I have it, I haven't looked through all of the parts that came with it yet. I'll check back tonight after I assemble it for paint.I’m not sure if the helmet you’ve purchased comes with a “Borden Connector” but I’ve got a resin (Boba Maker) one. PM your address and I’ll even pay the shipping. Just looking to donate it to a good cause.
Best regards,
- TheLavaMelon
TheLavaMelon
New Hunter
I do have the Borden Connector (in metal too!), you should be able to see it in the bottom picture below. Thanks for the offer!I’m not sure if the helmet you’ve purchased comes with a “Borden Connector” but I’ve got a resin (Boba Maker) one. PM your address and I’ll even pay the shipping. Just looking to donate it to a good cause.
PM Sent. Thank you very much!
Anyway, not too much progress these past couple days. I cut out the place for the visor in the helmet:
Then I rounded the edges of the Sintra ever so slightly:
And then I primed everything:
I can already see that I will need to sand some drip lines, but it shouldn't take too long.
Regarding the blaster, I did end up filling it the rest of the way with caulk and doing a once over with the black paint again.
Tomorrow I plan on getting the rest of the paint colors needed. I do have an airbrush so that should help with the job.
What is the best method for attaching the armor? I was planning on Velcro, but if there is something better than I'll go for it.
Best regards,
- TheLavaMelon
TheLavaMelon
Not a problem just tryin' to help ya out. I actually got my Stainless Steel Borden Connector in the mail just today and there may be an issue with mine. I'm NOT gonna post my concerns about that here though.
So you got just about 2 weeks till yer function. You think you're gonna make it? Were here if ya got questions.
-Iron
TheLavaMelon
New Hunter
Actually, the function is next Thursday (the 15th). All the same, yes I think I'll make it. Especially if this paint job works out over the weekend.So you got just about 2 weeks till yer function. You think you're gonna make it? Were here if ya got questions.
Thank you all for your assistance!
Best regards,
- TheLavaMelon
Ord Mantell
Well-Known Hunter
gauntlet tops on the way. I wasn't able to find those extra greeblies I wanted to throw in. Sorry about that. But there is a replica mq-1 keypad on the left gauntlet attached with a magnet.
TheLavaMelon
You ready for tomorrow? Whatcha got so far?
You ready for tomorrow? Whatcha got so far?
TheLavaMelon
New Hunter
Before I get to the "completion" photos, I wanted to thank everybody involved:
Irongladiator and Lazerjock for the parts list
ShortFuse and Lazerjock for the info on Sintra
ShortFuse for pointing me to the wizardofflight armor templates
wizardofflight for the armor templates
batninja for the ammo pouch tutorial
Darth Mule for the flak vest tutorial
joe for the flight suit
ToEleven for the helmet kit
ShortFuse for the knee armor
Ord Mantell for the gauntlet tops (unfortunately, I don't have time to get something together)
Edit: Fettronics for the LEDs (I don't know how I forgot, this thing is awesome)
And some lessons learned:
- Don't use rattlecans. It doesn't matter how close the color looks to your phone screen, it won't come out right.
- Use proper masking techniques, and let the paint dry. I used oil and thought I could wipe it off after an hour or two and it came out a smeary mess in a lot of places.
- Don't use Velcro. It's not worth the convenience. The problem is that it you can put the strips in the right spot, but it will never stay where you want it. It also isn't as strong as you might think and I feel like it's going to fall apart.
- Instead, use the bolt/grommet method. This will probably be the first thing I fix after this dance.
- Don't lace the vest. It requires somebody else to help you and unless you have somebody just as enthusiastic as yourself, it will only bother them.
- Don't use jute rope for the girth belt. It frays.
- When cutting a strap for a belt, account for the hems.
- If you're fat, this costume won't look as good as you think. And also, get larger cod/kidney armor than you think you need.
- Don't skip the jetpack
- Don't put the helmet down on it's top, it will fall over. Don't ask me how I know.
- If you are going to glue something, sand and clamp.
- If you get armor from somebody else, you will probably have to re-form it a little bit.
And now for the rest of the build story:
I don't have any pictures, but I painted a matte metallic silver over the primer (Rustoleum).
I then messed around with the airbrush I had and discovered that I don't know how to use it
Eventually, I got it working, but when I mixed the paint for the red part of the helmet it came out pink. I gave up on using it because it was late afternoon on Sunday at this point and I didn't have time. I went to home depot and bought seven rattlecans of varying degrees of color accuracy.
I then got a coat drying that looked ok. I ended up finishing the paint Monday evening.
Tuesday I got the knees and LEDs in. I then proceeded to suit up and broke the left knee pad. (Sorry ShortFuse!) Wednesday I got the Chest LEDs in, and that evening I reformed, reinforced, and repaired the knees.
This morning, I got to suit up.
Overall I am pretty happy with how the damage looks, but the colors are awful.
What do y'all think?
Best regards,
- TheLavaMelon
Irongladiator and Lazerjock for the parts list
ShortFuse and Lazerjock for the info on Sintra
ShortFuse for pointing me to the wizardofflight armor templates
wizardofflight for the armor templates
batninja for the ammo pouch tutorial
Darth Mule for the flak vest tutorial
joe for the flight suit
ToEleven for the helmet kit
ShortFuse for the knee armor
Ord Mantell for the gauntlet tops (unfortunately, I don't have time to get something together)
Edit: Fettronics for the LEDs (I don't know how I forgot, this thing is awesome)
And some lessons learned:
- Don't use rattlecans. It doesn't matter how close the color looks to your phone screen, it won't come out right.
- Use proper masking techniques, and let the paint dry. I used oil and thought I could wipe it off after an hour or two and it came out a smeary mess in a lot of places.
- Don't use Velcro. It's not worth the convenience. The problem is that it you can put the strips in the right spot, but it will never stay where you want it. It also isn't as strong as you might think and I feel like it's going to fall apart.
- Instead, use the bolt/grommet method. This will probably be the first thing I fix after this dance.
- Don't lace the vest. It requires somebody else to help you and unless you have somebody just as enthusiastic as yourself, it will only bother them.
- Don't use jute rope for the girth belt. It frays.
- When cutting a strap for a belt, account for the hems.
- If you're fat, this costume won't look as good as you think. And also, get larger cod/kidney armor than you think you need.
- Don't skip the jetpack
- Don't put the helmet down on it's top, it will fall over. Don't ask me how I know.
- If you are going to glue something, sand and clamp.
- If you get armor from somebody else, you will probably have to re-form it a little bit.
And now for the rest of the build story:
I don't have any pictures, but I painted a matte metallic silver over the primer (Rustoleum).
I then messed around with the airbrush I had and discovered that I don't know how to use it
Eventually, I got it working, but when I mixed the paint for the red part of the helmet it came out pink. I gave up on using it because it was late afternoon on Sunday at this point and I didn't have time. I went to home depot and bought seven rattlecans of varying degrees of color accuracy.
I then got a coat drying that looked ok. I ended up finishing the paint Monday evening.
Tuesday I got the knees and LEDs in. I then proceeded to suit up and broke the left knee pad. (Sorry ShortFuse!) Wednesday I got the Chest LEDs in, and that evening I reformed, reinforced, and repaired the knees.
This morning, I got to suit up.
Overall I am pretty happy with how the damage looks, but the colors are awful.
What do y'all think?
Best regards,
- TheLavaMelon
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TheLavaMelon
Echoing ShortFuse and Lazerjock - Considering the time frame it does indeed look good. You should be proud of what you achieved. I read that you were going to be fixing the costume up post-dance? Are you planning to upgrade even more? If so, whats on the horizon?
-Iron
Echoing ShortFuse and Lazerjock - Considering the time frame it does indeed look good. You should be proud of what you achieved. I read that you were going to be fixing the costume up post-dance? Are you planning to upgrade even more? If so, whats on the horizon?
-Iron
SPY007
Active Hunter
When I did my build, I went to a place that sold women's hair and bauty products, I was able to get some very cheap faux hair extensions and made Wookie braids. Also, when I did a scratch build in the early 90's and was trying to find something for a gauntlet rocket, I happend to notice some clutch adjustment tools at an auto parts store. I think they were smaller than than desired, but they were plastic and not very expensive. Your belt looks a little narrow and I'd open open up the barrel of your blaster. You are off to a good start.
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