Ok, new to this forum, so if I screw something up. please let me know. I've been gearing up to do my SIth costume, and debating between Vader and Maul for a while. Finally decided on Vader (for now LOL) and have obtained a good bodysuit, gloves (ESB-ROTJ), shins (ANH-ROTJ, haven't glossed them up yet, but can fairly quickly), cape, and surcoat. I've been holding off on the hard parts until I could research them or get some advice...that's how I stumbled upon this forum. Can anyone point me towards current producers of quality helmets, chest boxes, belts, and chest/shoulders? I'm particularly looking for a good helmet (Is there a list of what's 501st approved for helmets?) Looking to do ESB Vader, and while I don't claim to be a "Master Modeller", I'm not helpless around ABS or fiberglass either, so some work doesn't scare me. Any help would be appreciated.
saeltmarae2k
Member
Good luck with your build. Very pricey and time consuming, but totally worth it in the end!
Thanks,...Held off on Vader until I had a few other projects under my belt. Really looking forward to this one.
chefhawk
Sr Member
Avoid......Avoid
wanted by the fbi
http://www.therpf.com/f9/star-fortress-productions-69223/
dont take my word for it
cheers
ave4uevoli
Sr Member
I'm sure the search function will be useful and provide you ample reading material.
Plus you can go to starwarshelmets.com to get a general overview of all the different helmets and the names associated with them or else you won't understand what you're reading here. Acronyms like GH, Cking, 20th century, AP, DP, TM, RB, are just a few of the many that you'll need to learn and compare for yourself what you're aiming to do in terms of accuracy, quality and price.
vaders take years to put together. Not only are improvements made over time (read all the posts about the efx anh helmet and the ripples that it created), but also a lot of the best esb parts are either not made anymore, or they are not available to everyone. It always helps if you spend a few years here making friends.
Plus you can go to starwarshelmets.com to get a general overview of all the different helmets and the names associated with them or else you won't understand what you're reading here. Acronyms like GH, Cking, 20th century, AP, DP, TM, RB, are just a few of the many that you'll need to learn and compare for yourself what you're aiming to do in terms of accuracy, quality and price.
vaders take years to put together. Not only are improvements made over time (read all the posts about the efx anh helmet and the ripples that it created), but also a lot of the best esb parts are either not made anymore, or they are not available to everyone. It always helps if you spend a few years here making friends.
Thank you Thomas. I'm hoping to get to know some of the folks around here. I'm getting the feeling I am indeed going to have to slow down on this project. I actually thought finding a helmet would be the easy part, but the more I research, the harder it becomes to choose. Pretty sure I've found some shoulders/chest that will work, but the helmet, chestbox, and belt seem like they're going to be a pain. Oh well, guess I'll have plenty of time to paint up the chest! If, as you say, some of the ESB parts are no longer obtainable, I may change versions depending on available helmets. I actually like the ANH helmet best, but was worried about the size issue. I seem to remember reading a couple of articles where even Dave Prowse said he had trouble seeing because it was so large. As stated earlier in the thread, I was worried enough about filling his armor from ESB, let alone something that was oversized on him. That, and I have later version gloves and cape,...and I REALLY like the cape! I had hoped to have this ready by Dragoncon in Sept, but since it looks like that's not going to happen, I may try to find a couple of good examples to try on while I'm there. Again, many thanks!
cblackthorne
New Member
Check out the Sith Lord Detachment forums for the 501st.
Its a good resource to find armor and accessories.
Its a good resource to find armor and accessories.
I may,...though to be honest, my one interaction with the local 501st group left a bad taste in my mouth, so I'm wary of dealing with them. I definitlely want my costume to at least meet their standards so the option remains (and from some of the Vaders I've seen around the forum, if I can even approach their levels of accuracy, that shouldn't be a problem) Thanks for the heads up though!
KevVader
Sr Member
Shoot Darth Stone a PM for helmets...I believe he produces a nice set of shoulder armor as well.
Also keep an eye out for a Don Post Classic Action Vader helmet...there may even be a few in the JY right now. Lightweight for Trooping, accurate shape and with some mods can look as good as a lot of the fan made f-glass lids.
Also keep an eye out for a Don Post Classic Action Vader helmet...there may even be a few in the JY right now. Lightweight for Trooping, accurate shape and with some mods can look as good as a lot of the fan made f-glass lids.
Prodigal Jedi
New Member
I would definitely agree with KevVader. Look around for a Don Post Classic Action. They're increasingly harder to find but worth it if you can. If memory serves me correctly the CA is pulled from an ESB original mold so its the right size. If you're going to be doing any trooping the CA helmet is light weight unlike the heavy fiberglass helmets. One thing you'll want to do is get new lenses for the helmet. The stock lenses offer very limited visibility in what is already a tough helmet to see through.
Also don't bother painting your shins unless they're dull or else in really bad shape. The surcoat and cape covers them most of the time so no one really sees them. Also I find that with limited visibility I'm constantly bumping into stuff below my field of vision and the shins really do come in handy for protection. But it also means paint gets chipped if you're not too careful.
Also don't bother painting your shins unless they're dull or else in really bad shape. The surcoat and cape covers them most of the time so no one really sees them. Also I find that with limited visibility I'm constantly bumping into stuff below my field of vision and the shins really do come in handy for protection. But it also means paint gets chipped if you're not too careful.
Thank you Kev and Prodigal. Might just try to pick one up, worst case they seemt o resell pretty easy if I don't like it, unlike some of the higher dollar helmets.
faroshuffle
New Member
Stay on your hunt! Sorry to hear about your bad experience with your local 501st. My area is fantastic and very helpful. PM me if you want any info from my end. I'm a Revenge of the Sith Vader. Can't promise anything, but I'll help all I can! 
Darth Stone
Well-Known Member
Sad to say, but there are some bad apples in the 501st. But just as anything else, sometimes you just have to take the good with the bad.
I have been with them going on 4 years. And my local group has a few that I don't always get along with. But overall a fine group of people.
I have been with them going on 4 years. And my local group has a few that I don't always get along with. But overall a fine group of people.
SithLord66
Well-Known Member
I agree 100%, you can find info on what you need on the SLD. Just post what your looking for and you'll be pointed in the right direction everyone is very helpful . For the chest box unless your making your own try "Artisian Props" or "Ace Replicas". And I agree you want find a better person for accurate helmets and armor in my opinion than "Darth Stone", he's making mine also. I don't post much here but read alot im mostly on the SLD myself, hope this helped.
Thanks for the info everyone. Sorry I was tardy replying, work's been trying to kill me. I did indeed check out the SL division costuming guides from the 501st and it is indeed full of useful goodies. The sad part about having met all these knowledgable people is, now even some of the parts that I thought were great,...well suddenly they look substandard next to what I'm finding around. I may trying to contact the local 501st again sometime soon. It's been quite some time, and I'm guessing the membership could have changed by now. Currently, I'm looking at a Portumac helmet, but someone put me onto a particular ANH helmet that I liked so much I may just start in that direction instead.....provided I can obtain one. Thanks again for all the help folks, it's really appreciated.
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