BattleGrade
Active Member
This is my WIP [garage days] Vader build.
Shooting for ESB'ish, mostly just Vader.
In the end I'll finish him out as ESB.
I am waiting on some other parts for my other builds so idle hands. [do the devils work]
Of course I am a old-time fan, chose the Dark Side in the 70's.
I didn't want to buy it all done and didn't want to build it all by hand, so its a do this, grab that,
refurb this kind of deal. Like buying old car parts and fix'n it up. heh
This build starts with leftover boots. [yup]
Since I had these from a left-over build I was like, hey those could be Vader boots hmm.
I put 1.5" lifts in them and then a thin foam sole as they are actually way too big for my feet
which worked out perfect. I am around 5'11, the boots are about 1.5" and then add 1.5" lifts puts me
at about 6'2. The bucket is another 3-4" easy so thats about perfect and works for me.
Spent a few months, reading, looking, scanning, gathering. [data of course]
As per usual we end up with the same list of components as everyone else before and after so I am
not posting it all again. Its already well documented and part of the adventure.
Bought a bunch of pieces and they will trickle in over the next 3 months.
Most are not finished pieces so there will be some leg work to do. [the fun]
First in was the bucket:
Bought an "old dawg" and tore it down, cleaning, stripping, repaint is first order.
Then a complete redo of grill, eyes and tusks already in process.
I will place cooling fans in and also the voice changer module/mic on the mask.
I will have my Push To Talk line and batts external of the helmet.
Just prepping hardware mounting here then its off to strip and paint.
Second item in:
Needed a LS on my hip, no blade as a static prop etc.
I already have a 2005 FX Vader sabre, but alas its blade is not "removable". [can but, no!]
Found one that fit my criteria, bought it, tore it up as soon as I got it, removed the blade, reassemebled, minor weathering/paint.
Will make a good hip prop.
Chest piece came next:
I looked at building one or buying one.
The clear choice was obvious, buy one of Portumac's killer panel kits.
Very nice kit and well thought out.
Currently under construction, paint, strapping etc.
Today:
Vortex3 is in, it's just wonderful and heres a vid to prove it.
This is right out of the box and test, I haven't even messed with any settings yet.
One notable thing is pitch needs to go lower for my voice and vox trigger sensitivity.
I'll test some of these settings out and dial it in as I go.
As soon as more stuff rolls in I'll post more madness.
Shooting for ESB'ish, mostly just Vader.
In the end I'll finish him out as ESB.
I am waiting on some other parts for my other builds so idle hands. [do the devils work]
Of course I am a old-time fan, chose the Dark Side in the 70's.
I didn't want to buy it all done and didn't want to build it all by hand, so its a do this, grab that,
refurb this kind of deal. Like buying old car parts and fix'n it up. heh
This build starts with leftover boots. [yup]
Since I had these from a left-over build I was like, hey those could be Vader boots hmm.
I put 1.5" lifts in them and then a thin foam sole as they are actually way too big for my feet
which worked out perfect. I am around 5'11, the boots are about 1.5" and then add 1.5" lifts puts me
at about 6'2. The bucket is another 3-4" easy so thats about perfect and works for me.
Spent a few months, reading, looking, scanning, gathering. [data of course]
As per usual we end up with the same list of components as everyone else before and after so I am
not posting it all again. Its already well documented and part of the adventure.
Bought a bunch of pieces and they will trickle in over the next 3 months.
Most are not finished pieces so there will be some leg work to do. [the fun]
First in was the bucket:
Bought an "old dawg" and tore it down, cleaning, stripping, repaint is first order.
Then a complete redo of grill, eyes and tusks already in process.
I will place cooling fans in and also the voice changer module/mic on the mask.
I will have my Push To Talk line and batts external of the helmet.
Just prepping hardware mounting here then its off to strip and paint.
Second item in:
Needed a LS on my hip, no blade as a static prop etc.
I already have a 2005 FX Vader sabre, but alas its blade is not "removable". [can but, no!]
Found one that fit my criteria, bought it, tore it up as soon as I got it, removed the blade, reassemebled, minor weathering/paint.
Will make a good hip prop.
Chest piece came next:
I looked at building one or buying one.
The clear choice was obvious, buy one of Portumac's killer panel kits.
Very nice kit and well thought out.
Currently under construction, paint, strapping etc.
Today:
Vortex3 is in, it's just wonderful and heres a vid to prove it.
This is right out of the box and test, I haven't even messed with any settings yet.
One notable thing is pitch needs to go lower for my voice and vox trigger sensitivity.
I'll test some of these settings out and dial it in as I go.
As soon as more stuff rolls in I'll post more madness.
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