Which starter helmet?

[Saturniid]

I stopped by a local costume store today to check out their Fett helmet selection, and they had a Rubies Jango and a Rubies Boba. They looked like similar sizes and were in similar blue boxes, but they were on a high shelf and I didn't get a really good look at them. Now, I've been lurking for a while so I know what most people think of the Jango, but I haven't heard much about the Rubies Boba helmet. Is it the same mold as the Jango or is it basically a repackaged DP 97?

My plan is to repaint/modify one for a more screen-accurate Boba. Since I've never done anything like this before, I want to start out with a crappy helm in case I destroy it somehow, but I was wondering which one would be best to buy for this project. You guys know best about this stuff!

 

[Icedevil]

You should try to find a DP 95 white interior on ebay. I would stay away from Rubies all they make is pure crap

 

[hansoloway]

First of all, welcome. Second, If you can afford a better helmet...get it! I've modified several helmets in my day. The Rubies Boba helmet from what I've seen is the same as the old Don Post 97 which requires a lot of work in order to get it just barely passable in appearance. But it will never be very screen accurate. I've owned a few DP 97's in the past (not a Rubies) and it is about 20% too small and shaped funky, not to mention the fact that it's constructed of a all-to-flexible vinyl material which warps easily. Look around the "Helmet" section because there are much better helmet options available.

 

[Gilmortar]

many will disagree with me i think, but I solemnly think that a Great helmet is great for a beginning helmet.

Lots of people here have commissioned people to paint their helmets for them, or even paint it themselves.

If you have the means, I would pick up a nice fiberglass helmet. Maybe a Mystery Helm. or a fiberglass DP cast. These are a little cheaper than your MS or MSH1 or 2. But it would be to your preference. Every once in a while, some pretty nice fiberglass helmets come on ebay for a cheaper amount.

 

[Saturniid]

Ok, well if the Boba is just a DP 97, I'll definitely stay away from that. I really hate the dome on those, it looks like a freakin' box! (Though bneally and kissker have both done really nice work on their DP's)

Are there any structural differences between the 95 white and green interiors, or is the white one just easier to paint? I'm asking 'cause there's a green 95 on eBay now.

And what's with the "1980 promotional helmet"? Anyone know if that's legit (just curious)?

 

[Icedevil]

not exactly sure, I've never seen a green interior, but the one in that auction looks pretty good, I'd say get it. It looks way better than the Rubies

 

[Gilmortar]

they are pretty much the exact same... I owned a white and a green and they were identical.

 

[RBF]

the Jango is ok...
don't know about the Boba...

here's my Jango...

 

[bneally]

Thanks for the mention, Saturn. Yeah, my bucket did not turn out too bad. It is not 100%, but on the left ear piece I had a lot of 'pull off' from the mustard drying all the way. I just used the mustard layering technique you can find by searching here and spray paints. I am pretty happy with my results for the price I paid. As you put together your outfit, you must ask yourself if you are willing to spend the money. I am not right now, so I am pretty happy, but if you are going for something that you want to be 'screen accurate' then I recommend (as mentioned by some of the patrons earlier), get yourself a good mask. Just study what the 'pros' have done here and they will steer you away from the pitfalls they ran into. I just didn't want to buy the bucket, airbrush misc, etc....I am on a budget

I really don't think there is anything you can do to the helmet that will be totally unfixable. You can always paint over it, bondo it, epoxy it, fiberglass it, whatever you need to do and start over. Hope this helps as you now have opinions from both sides of the tracks. Cheers and good luck.

 

[Saturniid]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'm also on a budget, so I think I'll pick up the Jango sometime soon (R_boba's looks really good!). I'd get a good one off eBay but I just switched banks and all my money is still being moved around so I can't do internet shopping at the moment. Plus I just like going into a store and buying something sometimes!

 

[RBF]

thnx for the compliment

if you run into questions about the bucket, feel free to PM or post it here.
more then willing to help ya out

 

[obi sean kenobi]

Personally, I don't believe in 'starter' helmets.

The bottom line is if you go about things this way, you're going to end up spending twice as much in the long run. Trust me, I learned the hard way. You'll buy the Rubies, then quickly tire of it, hate it, and be desperate to upgrade. You'll end up buying two helmets, mark my words.

The best thing to do is this: BE PATIENT. If you're on a budget, save your money and buy a Marrow_Sun.
You'll thank me later.

Sean

 

[RBF]

my experience with the Rubies is worth alot more then the money investment I did on it...

so when my BM bucket gets here I'll have some skills up my sleeve...

I do upgrade though, no excuse for that.
but mostly because of the size, not the overall form of the thing.

I'm 1 m 87 and the bucket is just out of proportion with the rest of me body.

 

[Pooper]

R Boba Fett "I'm 1 m 87 and the bucket is just out of proportion with the rest of me body."

Maybe so, but that's one hell of a skill you have. You are a talented guy

 

[BobaN00b]

My two cents. If you are going for a budget Fett, your best bet is to find a DP 95 on eBay. Now, as much crap as I have given the Rubies, I can say that it would be a nice starter helmet. Some may disagree with a "starter" helmet, but here's why I am for them.

Getting a Rubies or even a DP will give you the chance to try out different painting methods. I went through a dp 96 and 97 before I got my 95. I learned a lot about painting between the two helmets before I did any painting on the DP 95.

Now, currently, I have a DP 95, 97 and Rubies Jango (converted to a Boba). I may have given a lot of opinions on the Rubies in past posts, I have to say, that given the material, you CAN make it work as a Boba. Of course, it has it's issues. It's MUCH smaller than a DP (95, 96 or 97) from top to bottom. I had to put the aluminium hoop inside to keep the flare, but it isn't too bad.

I would rather trash a Rubies or a DP learning how to correctly paint them than try it out on an MS or BM. Of course, Mine is not screen accurate, mainly because I choose for it not to be, but I am happy with them.

The drawbacks on the DP series is if you have a large nose, like I do, they can be uncomftorable to wear.

Now, i am not saying dont get an MS or BM. If I had the cash, given my comfort level with painting, I would drop the cash on one. But, I dont and my dp's and rubies work just fine.

 

[obi sean kenobi]

Don't forget, you can always sand off a paintjob you're not happy with and re-do it. No reason to buy two helmets to learn how to paint.
OSK

 

[RBF]

thnx pooper!

anyways, the DP 95's do look alot better then the Rubies.

the other dutch Fett has a DP 95, green interior I believe, and it is so much better in form then the Rubies Jango.

but then again.. ebay.. there are some "traps" there...

I'd go with a Rubies Jango... obvious

 

[X5 Boba Fett]

The Don post helmets are okay, but are a little on the small side for some people (myself included). they can look quite nice with a bit of work though

 

[Icedevil]

Well I just received my DP 95 which I had scored last week on ebay for about $59, unfortunately I found this before I won Tk-1776's auction for a expertly painted DP '96. Anyway there's one thing I'd like to add about the DP 95... it might smell funky, like really funky, although it's probably just the smell of aging vinyl. I washed it with some DAWN dishwashing liquid and the smell still sort of lingers around. Other then that it looks great! here's some pics:

the rest are at http://community.webshots.com/album/444335420kRtRPu

 

[webchief]

Well I just received my DP 95 which I had scored last week on ebay for about $59, unfortunately I found this before I won Tk-1776's auction for a expertly painted DP '96. http://community.webshots.com/album/444335420kRtRPu

Expertly painted huh? Wow! I'm gonna blush! Thanks cause I painted that! That was my first bucket I ever owned and is actually the one I'm wearing in my little avatar. That was a picture taken on my way back from Celebration II in Indy back in 2002. It was repainted since to how it is now. Funny... its onto its third owner at TDH living in New England.