As in Mandalorian, like this guy:
Since my husband (The_Jed) keeps his cars in such pristine condition 
my body work skills are starting to get rusty and it's time to stop that. I can't really think of any better way to save them than to turn a bunch of plastic and fabric into something that may or may not end up resembling this (I'm still toying with colors and the software doesn't allow for much customization):
You're asking if we'll approve of you doing a Grassroots Boba Fett build?
berkeley yes we will.
This build has been in the back of my head for a few years now, but it just kept hanging out there while I talked myself out of it over and over again. Now, with the health issues that keep me out of the gym and away from powerlifting meets, I need something to occupy my time. With the current size of the fleet and the way the weather impacts my stupid face and puts me out for days at a time, a project car is out of the question. So this little project is now front and center.
Since it's always fun to work within a budget, I'm going to try to do this for less than $150 start to finish. It might be hard since there are some tools/supplies that I no longer have hanging around (a heat gun, bondo, fiberglass mesh and resin) that I will have to buy in quantities much larger than I'll need for this project, but I'm up to the challenge, I think.
The other part of the challenge is a self imposed time restriction. I want to have the whole thing 'done enough' to surprise the kids on the last day of school by picking them up as a Mando. Then I get to repeat the build process two more times because the kids want to be mini-Mando's for Halloween.
Ok, on to the progress so far, which isn't much. Being on a budget, I'm starting the build by looking around the house. What do I already have that will work either as a permanent solution or work until a birthday/holiday rolls around and I can ask for upgrades.
Helmet: Helmets can run upward of $150 for an unfinished, unsanded, cold-cast piece. That shoots my entire budget out of the water. So, I searched around and found some scratch-build plans and looked around the house for a dome. Hmmm, I used to play roller derby...
Yep, that'll work.
On to more hunting around the house, I need boots. Boots are expensive. Boots ruin everything. Boots are something I only have in work and healed forms, neither of which will work for parades or playing at the zoo or whatever else the Mando's decide to do.
See the boots under the helmet? Those are the boots. They are my father-in-law's boots from his time in Vietnam, so they've seen actual combat and, with an insole (that I've lost, apparently) are ridiculously comfortable.
Dome $0, Boots $0, YES!
Today it was off to Wallyworld to start comparing prices and see what I could pick up cheaply while I was there.
(also a better picture of the boots)
2 Water pistols that will be chopped up and modded and painted to look Star Wars accurate $1.58 (.79 each) 4 yard sale signs that should take care of most of the lower part of the helmet $3.52 (.88 each)
Cost so far $5.10
Thanks for the vote of approval SnowMongoose and turboswede.
There's an 'official' forum dedicated to these things but I caved to peer pressure (as in Jed bugging me about it) and figured I'd chronicle it here. You all will appreciate the budget aspect a whole lot more 
I have no idea what this is, I'm thinking Star Wars? Sorry, I know I'm the only guy who isn't a fan, but anthing that includes those freaking awesome boots gets my vote! 
You aren't going to paint them or anything, are you?
In reply to sethmeister4: Yeah, absolutely this is everything to do with Star Wars.
The boots are safe from modding for the most part. The laces have to be completely covered, but I will do that with either shin/shoe armor or wraps.
I approve, as long as you promise to hit the roller derby ring dressed like that. 
SVreX wrote: I approve, as long as you promise to hit the roller derby ring dressed like that.
Dude! That would be awesome!
She doesn't play anymore but that would be a neat idea for making an appearance as a guest ref or something along those lines.
In reply to The_Jed:
That's kinda sad.
She was the only person I knew who was actually cool enough to do that!
sethmeister4 wrote: I have no idea what this is, I'm thinking Star Wars? Sorry, I know I'm the only guy who isn't a fan, but anthing that includes those freaking awesome boots gets my vote!
don't feel bad, everything i know about star wars i learned from family guy. the giant chicken was bobba fett
How is that even a question? Of course you can build something as awesome as a Mando!
The_Jed wrote:SVreX wrote: I approve, as long as you promise to hit the roller derby ring dressed like that.Dude! That would be awesome! She doesn't play anymore but that would be a neat idea for making an appearance as a guest ref or something along those lines.
Sadly that won't be happening unless the group is called on to appear (doubtful). Roller derby leagues have a tendency to get...political and, well, there's a reason I retired 
I ran into Menards for some cutoff wheels for my Dremel and figured I'd check prices on heat guns while I was there. Harbor Freight has them for $15 and everyone in the local club seems to think that's about the cheapest they can be had. WRONG! I found a few on clearance for $9!
So after cutoff wheels ($3.99) and the heat gun ($9) the running total is.....$18.09
Cool!
Didn't expect to find a cosplay build thread on grassroots motorsports but more power to you.
That's a smoking deal on heat guns. At that price you could probably cut the cord and use them as props.
In reply to Fr3AkAzOiD:
I think this is just about the only thing that didn't have a build thread (until now)
Changing the helmet material and probably the base for the weapons as well, so I'll be heading back to wallyworld to return the signs and at least one water gun tonight while the kids are at wrestling and pick up a different weapon.
And now I am getting a sense of how those of you who build challenge cars feel with that whole budget thing
I'm at a standstill until I go pick up supplies from my dad tomorrow (budget score, he has fiberglass resin and mesh, the buckets for the bottom of my helmet and maybe some totes for the rest of my armor, but we have to look). I really hate it when I get excited for a project and have to sit and twiddle my thumbs waiting for something, so I grabbed the boy-child's coloring book and traced everyone's favorite Mandalore and started playing with a design. I'm pretty sure this is the winner.
I love seeing this kind of stuff! Cant wait for the finished product.
Most of the torso armor is traced and ready to be cut. I'll have to wait on 'soft parts' before I get too carried away on shaping . Soft parts include a flack vest, 'flight suit' (in quotes because I plan to use leggings and a long sleeve shirt or modified scrubs because flight suits aren't all that, er, bathroom friendly) and gloves.
This is pretty cool!
After seeing several cases of having to go through 2-3 storage totes in order to get everything cut and not-warped I realized that the cheapest seeming solution might not be the best after all. So I went to a local sign shop and asked about Sintra scraps. Turns out he had a piece of 16"x8' that was just taking up space in the backroom and he sold it to me for $10. I'm much more confident using Sintra as it seems to hold it's shape better and be more weather-resistant than the thin plastic tote. Maybe I'll use the tote for my next armor...
Total so far $28.09, at least the storage tote was one I had in the basement, so it's not impacting the budget.
PROGRESS!!! Torso armor is cut and ready for epoxy and shaping. I think I'm going to forego a backplate for now and have a hooded cape instead, at least for now. I may change my mind and add a backplate later, but for now it's not on my to do list. I'm hoping to get to my dad's house this week to have him help me get started on my helmet.
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