c0wboi Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Hey there.. I know the Rubies needs a LOT of work to meet up to 501st standards, to say nothing of Lancer. My question is this: Is it ok for just basic dress up? Here's my deal. I'll be building my armor bit by bit, and likely will have everything but my helmet by February. No word on how long or when I will have a "good" bucket. So, if I just wanted to have a lid to put on, and take some pictures, or play around locally with or what not.... How bad would that Rubies (un modified) look? Would it stick out like a sore thumb, would it look decent enough to be in public in? Or would I be better served buying a semi-decent used lid and not even wasting the money? Thanks for all the tips and advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Witness Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 It's THIS bad, check out the warp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-7076 Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 That is a question how ambitious a costumer is I think. Some feel no shame for nothing . I had a similar problem in the start of 2009 when all of a sudden all my stuff was available except the helmet. As I've owned a Don Post classic for more than ten years I opted to modify and wear it to finally wear the costume after 5 years of development. Unfortunately this "stand in" is still in use as I stoped finishing my MLC v3 once the new helmet project ny lonewolf kicked off. The out of the box Rubies helmet is really a horrible thing to look at if you're into the characters. Probably most of the audience will never realize most of the errors that most of our costumes even within the 501st do feature. I myself regard myself responsible to not misportray my favourite character so I've never thought of using the Don Post right out of the box without proper modifications. Still there are people who think different and do it different and wear it just as it came. I never invested much efforts in my DP as I knew it wouldn't be my final bucket and actually it was meant as a replacement for one event only (now it's been in service for one and half year). But the few touches can make a quite difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0wboi Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 That IS horrible! Wow.... I'd be embarrassed to wear that. I'm sort of embarrassed I even asked. Wow.... Philipp, I think much the same as you do. I wouldn't want to cheapen the character, the armor, or the reputation of costumers by wearing that. I'm amazed they got the license to produce that... I guess the choices are pretty much wait until SC does a bucket again, see if LW goes into production, or just...wait. Oh well. I've waited this many years, a few more months won't hurt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket71 Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 I agree an unmodified Rubbies is bad and will stand out. Be advised if wearing this to an 501st event it won't count as an official troop. I had a member that showed up with one that was unmodified on at an event and I had a kid ask me what was wrong with him, he didn't look right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jabbasdead Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 It really doesn't take to long to make a Rubies acceptable, and if you have a weekend you can clean one up pretty nice. But it is still a Rubies, which mine is going on almost 7 years now....one day I will have a KS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0wboi Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 Just a weekend, you say? Hmmmm. Maybe if I find one particularly low priced, I'll pick it up and go for it. Hmmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chex Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 If you can find a good deal on it, then go for it..just work on it.but that's if you can find a good deal. Some have made them look pretty nice, but I love my KS. Well, until the LW rolls out and I get one of those..the KS might have to find a new home then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-7076 Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Here is what I did to my helmet in a hush to get it at least acceptable to some degree - new decals (MC) - new snout (MC) - new lens - new bolts (original m3 bolt) - screws to keep mask and blinders in shape - removal of the production/licence marking This is what it looked like prior to the modifications: http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_base01.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_base02.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_base03.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_base04.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_base05.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_base06.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_base07.jpg And this is how it looks today: http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_mods01.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_mods02.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_mods03.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_mods04.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_mods05.jpg http://www.madphisto.net/myscout/2009_04_DP_mods06.jpg And here is a direct comparison with an almost unchanged rubies and my modified dp during an event we made in cooperation with the local fan force Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0wboi Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share Posted November 23, 2010 Wow. Im on my phone and even so I could see the difference quite easily. If I can't afford a LW, maybe I'll be able to l pick up a used lid from someone. Hmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 you can do it man. I modded my rubies when I was like 14 and it came out nicely. I dont use it anymore because I have a KS now. But I'm just saying, if a kid could do it, you sure can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acrylikhan Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 I went for gusto and took the chainsaw to mine. For casual dress-up it's fine... but if you're going 501st, you want to bring the movie to reality. Mod it! This will hold me over until I make a helmet that's about 10% larger for my melon head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0wboi Posted November 24, 2010 Author Share Posted November 24, 2010 Tons of tips and advice, and awesome pics. You guys rock. I'm pretty set then... If I can find one pretty cheap, I'm grabbing it, modding it and keeping an eye out for better. Otherwise, just save the cash til something good comes along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 side by side of 2 don posts (yes i bought 2!!! -one to mod and one as a reminder of how crap it looks!!) modded and primed -ready to paint for my shadow scout build (my scout helmet is ks)-definitely took more than a weekend!!! finished scout shadow scout bucket im not the most skilled of costumers, the mods can be done though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Jack Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 Agreed - you can take that ugly duckling and turn it into something pretty decent. I was new to the 501st when I bought my Rubies. I heard everyone's warnings and said "I can do this." Now again, it was my first build. It took me many hours to get that thing into decent shape. What was done ? There are some real good tutorials here on the mods that need to be done (The genuises behind them are all above me in this post) so I won't even try to give that detail. But a short list (again not comprehensive but the things off the top of my head to give you an idea) : - rip out the old lenses - grind down and expand the lens opening - heat and shape that visor and bucket itself using wire (I used 1/8th steel rods) to REALLY narrow the whole helmet. - remove at least the ventilator and replace - dremel out the ear holes and screen them - caulk the visor - sand off don post or rubies logo on the back - replace the fish hook - replace bolts - had to also dremel sand some of the visor and other parts to bring it inline - paint inside and pad as needed - oh yea......hot glue the bejeezes out of the thing !!!!! Now keep in mind it's a small bucket - just did my first troop in it and it looks pretty darn good thanks to the gang here for all their advice and even talking me from jumping off the bridge once from frustration ! However, you can't wear eyeglasses with it - learned that the hard way. Would I do it all again ? Good question.......the amount of labor might have justified a KS helmet kit for @$150. I picked up my Rubies for @ $50 and put in a lot of time. Sure....if I did it again I could do it much faster but As a rookie it will take you time. However, I view it as a badge of honor among the Pathfinders and a right of passage now ! Remember......everyone is here to help ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB-1019 Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 One thing I would like to add, if I may, is that I noticed by your location that you are in Arizona. You are very likely going to find that keeping the Rubies helmet from warping in the Arizona heat to be a near impossible task unless you reinforce it with metal wire loops and fiberglass along the inner surface (making the already small space smaller). If the idea of constantly tweaking and repairing your helmet after every use like a finely tuned Italian sports car appeals to you, by all means go for it. Otherwise, your time and money can be better spent with one of the fan made replicas like KS or MC makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 It is alot of work mate, but it is alot of fun too. It is also very rewarding seeing your nasty warped out helmet become a screen accurate masterpiece. I think you should mod one, just to experience it. To be honest, I would love to do another one, a better one than when I did it back when I was a kid. Lately I have actually been redoing everything on my scout armor that I did when I was 14 to make it look as screen accurate as possible. I am kind of going to make my stuff near Lancer quality, just will not go for Lancer because I adore my weathering. But man, I think I am going to do another Rubies mod. I can use it in the Pay it Forward thread! -Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0wboi Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 Thanks some more, guys. The more I read, the more I'm going to wait. Cheapest Rubies is about 55 or so.... another 200 and I can get a KS. I've got 3 kids and a more than full time job, so my mod time is minimal. I'd rather spend the time I have working on good stuff like a KS helmet and SC armor....a Rubies might be something for once I have a good set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Thanks some more, guys. The more I read, the more I'm going to wait. Cheapest Rubies is about 55 or so.... another 200 and I can get a KS. I've got 3 kids and a more than full time job, so my mod time is minimal. I'd rather spend the time I have working on good stuff like a KS helmet and SC armor....a Rubies might be something for once I have a good set up. Alright, go for a KS then to start. But later on if you have time, mod a rubies. It was truly a great experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scout_Trystan Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 After reading the various threads on DPs and Rubies, I wasn't expecting perfection out of a box. But I wasn't prepared for what I got. Took the wind right out of my sails, let me tell you. Luckily there are plenty of awesome resources to fix this, and I will be rolling up my sleeves and making it better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fettski Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 WOW, it might be easier to make a vac table and make your own lid from scratch. Just kidding, take your time and if you get frustrated, just walk away. If you keep at it, slowly, you might be surprised when your done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acrylikhan Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Oh, yeah... looks like that sucker was in a stack twelve high, and in the back of the warehouse where heat is omnipresent. Difficult, but not impossible to get it back into the proper shape. A heat gun, and an old belt, and a open slot in your freezer should help out getting that sucker back into shape. You will definitely need to get some metal rods around the edges and in the dome to keep that sucker in shape! Good Luck, and you know where to find me if you need advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junglie Scout Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Mate, That is one squashed bucket!! I've modded a DP lid that just needs painting, there are some pics here: Modded DP It takes a little bit of patience but the self satisfaction is immense, give it good spray job and I'm sure it will look a million dollars!! Acrylikhans tutorial is the tops and I followed it with a few additions and omissions and I was well happy with the result. A good eye and a steady hand will win the day; stick with it bud Good luck, Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scout_Trystan Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Mate, That is one squashed bucket!! I've modded a DP lid that just needs painting, there are some pics here: Modded DP It takes a little bit of patience but the self satisfaction is immense, give it good spray job and I'm sure it will look a million dollars!! Acrylikhans tutorial is the tops and I followed it with a few additions and omissions and I was well happy with the result. A good eye and a steady hand will win the day; stick with it bud Good luck, Andy. Yeah, it was quite a blow to see that thing the first time. Luckily I had been reading up around here before it came, so I knew there was hope. It's slow going, since I've never done anything like this before. But it's already looking much better. I've gotten most of the deformation out of the bucket, my new lens arrived, and I've gotten the visor sorted. The only real hurdle left is the facemask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Trooper Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I noticed that someone mentioned a spraypaint job for the helmet. Any recomendations on which kind works best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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