What happened with Kamino Armor Works?

[clonesix]

This subject has long disappeared, so many might not even remember that KAW collected $20K up front to produce clone armor. They even sent out some pictures of what it would look like. That was 5 years ago. Has anyone seen any armor? Know what hapened to them? Did anyone get a refund? Pressed any charges against them?

I would like to hear the story on this. It seems strange to me that someone can walk off with that kind money and nothing is said.

 

[CGClone]

This subject has long disappeared, so many might not even remember that KAW collected $20K up front to produce clone armor. They even sent out some pictures of what it would look like. That was 5 years ago. Has anyone seen any armor? Know what hapened to them? Did anyone get a refund? Pressed any charges against them?

I would like to hear the story on this. It seems strange to me that someone can walk off with that kind money and nothing is said.

Several people in my garrison go their helmets, but no armor. Most have written it off, but hopefully they would chime in here.

 

[clonesix]

I really want to know why charges were not filed

 

[TK9120]

I'd like to know what happened too. The last I heard James said that his partner left him and he had to do the whole project himself. So between working his day job and his family there wasn't much time to work on the suits. I believe he also said he underestimated the cost. So the 20K wasn't enough. Originally they were supposed to be done in fiberglass. I can't remember why but he switched to some kind of plastic. It took longer to cure and was more expensive. That's why he didn't have enough money. He claims he was financing the rest of the project himself. so the little money he had left over from paying bills and such went towards the suits. I think he gave an amount as to what the plastic costs but I can't remember. All I know is that the molds supposedly were made and I can't see them costing $10-$15, 000. But I don't know much about mold making either.

It's been so long and I came in late so I don't know if I got all the details right. I'm sure someone will correct anything that I've gotten wrong. Jim knows the story I think. But I can't remember his screen name.

I think me and another person only had to pay half for our suits. I only have a helmet, so I'm only out $500. I could probably finish and get around $300 for it eventually. So I wouldn't lose too much. I feel bad for the guys who had to shell out the full $1,000 and only have a helmet.

There was one guy who threatened James with legal action if he didn't get a refund. He gave him a date to pay or he would go through with his case. James sent him a full refund. So apparently he does respond to those kind of threats.

I have given up on ever seeng this armor like most of the others. I don't know anything about law, but with him in FL and me in CT I think it would be hard for me to do anything about it. Plus like I said I'm not out that much money. I know he had extra helmets. If he sent me another one that I could sell, I'd be happy with that.

Someone had tried contacting him but he doesn't reply. When I heard that I decided not to even try. I guess I should ask for a helmet and see what happens.

I don't even want the armor anymore. From what I've heard it's too big. I have yet to compare the helmet to my MR, but I've heard it's bigger than that too.

There are a few members in Fl. Unless they live too far away, I don't know why they don't try to find out where he lives or where his shop is and pay him a visit.

 

[saxe coburg]

Yeah... that was a bad deal.

My friend (Joey) ended up with the helmet and the chest armor, all fiberglass. They were very nicely done... but way too big. I mean the helmet was a MONSTER! I got t paint acouple of them and I could almost put my C6 EP2 helmet inside of it.

I don't get it... you take 20K of peoples money... and than say "sorry guys, I don't have the money to finish it" well that just isn't right. :unsure

 

[clonesix]

That's what I wanted to know; how do you walk away with $20K and no one files charges?

 

[SFPROPS]

I don't know the specifics, but I don't think the cost of materials would be an issue. $1000 should more than cover any material costs for any kind of armor from what I can figure out. The more believable explanation is the cost of TIME it took to do it. With the money likely already spent, and hours and hours of labor ahead, it's easy just to say "forget it" and steal the money. My guess is, that's what happened whether the guy originally intended to do that or not.

Me? I'd never give $1000 to someone who doesn't have a track record of being able to pull off big projects on time and on budget. Buyer beware.

 

[TK9120]

I also think that he wasn't out to scam anyone. I think that when his partner left, it took more time than he thought to finish. Maybe the money went to his normal saving account and it got spent. Like SFPROPS said he decided to forget it. Since nobody else is bugging him for money or armor he's getting away with it.

If I lived near him I would be trying to get my money back.

 

[Apollo]

That's what I wanted to know; how do you walk away with $20K and no one files charges?

Sounds like people enjoy giving their money away :unsure

If I was in that group he would be getting a call from my Lawyer.

 

[Goldenrod]

I was the first to threaten with my lawyer and i settled for 2 helmets and chest to end the nightmare. Sold them right away because didn't want anything to remember it by. Excellent pieces like saxecoburg said it was all oversized. Scottmaul former FL. CO was the one who got a full refund as i remember it.
Jon you got pm;-)

 

[TK9120]

I sent James an email 2 days ago. We both have AOL so I can see if he read it and so far he hasn't. I may have to threaten him with a lawyer if he doesn't respond soon.

 

[Stomper]

Has there been any other contact info come to light on this lately? I have 2 KAW buckets that I currently own, and all things aside I'd like to utilize them for some future projects I have in mind and would at least like to get the original maker's permission to do that (if possible), since I'm ARDENTLY opposed to unauthorized recasting... Maybe I can make some good come out from all of this... you never know!

 

[saxe coburg]

Those helmets are way too big to spend the time casting them... IMHO

 

[Goldenrod]

Ton,
I agree with Jon they're just to big. Shame really.

 

[TK9120]

If you're going to need them for something and you don't mind the size, I say cast them. Screw James! He screwed us and I wouldn't feel bad if I recast his helmet. Not that I would know how to do it. There might be some big guys out there are looking for a bigger helmet. You might sell a few.

 

[Stomper]

If you're going to need them for something and you don't mind the size, I say cast them. Screw James! He screwed us and I wouldn't feel bad if I recast his helmet. Not that I would know how to do it. There might be some big guys out there are looking for a bigger helmet. You might sell a few.

Well, I would like to use this in a modified fashion, plus it IS a decent sculpt even if it is a tad on the large side... its usable on my melon, but just barely... LOL!

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND your sentiments... if I had been screwed like that, the resulting murders would have made the local (if not national) news... but that's just me. As for recasting it without James' permission (even though he has apparently ROYALLY SCREWED people over) would transgress the moral code of the Armorer's Coalition to which I'm a member of. Even though it would be a form of "due justice" based on his offenses, it would not excuse me from being a hypocrite by recasting his privately made sculpt w/o his permission... it would STILL be wrong for ME to copy his work.

As a member of the Armorer's Coalition I have to be above reproach, because the "A/C" is all about making life a living hell for known re-casters by relentlessly pursuing them and calling them out for all to see, and we lose all credibility if others can say, "well YOU re-casted the KAW bucket!!" I think that everyone here (worth their salt anyway) would much rather purchase a bucket (or any other prop) from an upstanding artist who strictly adheres to an honorable code of ethics.

So.... if I never get his permission, there is nothing that says I can't use his work as a reference that I can hand sculpt/replicate from scratch... and I'm inclined to give those who were bilked by KAW a deep discount to help "make it right" if they can provide proof of their transaction... but this project is a ways out... ATM I'm finishing up a Mando bucket project, then its rubber E-11's, MG-34's, and Scout Blasters that I have to get tooled up for!

All of us have been burned in life in one fashion or another, and for what it is worth, take comfort in knowing that what comes around goes around... usually with interest due!

If ANYONE has any way to contact James, please pass it along that I would like to do as stated above, and if he would contact me whether its a "yeah" or "nay" to use his sculpt I'd appreciate it!

 

[exoray]

I say cast them. Screw James! He screwed us and I wouldn't feel bad if I recast his helmet.

Two wrongs don't make a right, regardless of the spin you put on it...

 

[TK9120]

True but if I had the ability to recast the helmet I would. He still owes me money or parts. And I'm not going to get either so I would use the helmets I sold as payment.

 

[Stomper]

True but if I had the ability to recast the helmet I would. He still owes me money or parts. And I'm not going to get either so I would use the helmets I sold as payment.

I am TOTALLY empathetic towards you!! If you were to do that, nobody (I know) would think that was wrong at all (IMO), given the circumstances. But if I were to do that it would be wrong, because it's an entirely different matter as I was not one of those who were defrauded by KAW.

We in the Armorer Coalition have been discussing this thread recently concerning the KAW fiasco... if anyone has the first and/or last names of the KAW crew, we would like to have it so we can add them to our "watch out for/do not sell to" list, and not sell them ANY of the props the A/C members produce. I know its not much in the scheme of things, but at least it could/would make life suck for them a bit in some fashion... please PM me any/all info you may have!!

Again, I am empathetic towards you, and if I could do anything to get these guys to make it right... I would.


Peace/Out!!

 

[clonesix]

This thread is still alive?

I have always wondered why is it that no criminal charges were pressed? If someone runs off with $20K, You'd think that someone would contact the police. Did anyone look into this?

To respond to the idea of recasting the helmet: It isn't a bad helmet, but still too big and out of proportion. There is so much reference material out there now, that I think you would be happier with your own sculpt.