Even more likely if someone replies, Dirtdives will like your post and crack some joke.
For that money,you really only have two options. You can buy the seanbradley vacuum form kit form etsy for $450( ut you would have to do all the paint and padding, strapping, etc. A helmet or even a odst backpack can cost $200 or more, so... yeah... you can also find someone's really old suit that they are selling somewhere and see if you can get it for 400, but it more than likely wont drop below $300, even if it is an old suit. Some alternatives, is even if you have never painted, worked on a costume, or used your hands before, we can walk you through building your own suit for around $100-300. It all depends on how good you want it to turn out, how much effort you put into it, how much you are willing to invest, and how much time you give it.My price range is a max of $400ish but it's subject to change. My height is 5'4.
free of charge.
Wait... What?!
I see your squinty eyes and raise you 1 eye brow......Squints eyes
feel free to offer corrections geezers
geezers
You could probably build your own foam kit for $4-500. If you buy one of Sean’s kits you’re looking at $450 for a raw kit that you’ll need to do extensive work to. You’ll also need a helmet and weapons. So realistically you’re looking at over a grand..
You should look into the HD foam from SKS Props. I’ve used it, not only can you get a big roll for cheap it’s some of the best performing stuff out there.Not quite.... Most of the money for kits that people make to sell are higher priced so they make a profit. They buy the mats and spend the time themselves. That's what you're paying for.
The foam at Harbor freight is pretty decent for this kind of job, and if you catch it on sale, it's ~$50 USD for the armor and weapons in foam. The other tools like super glue, heat gun, knives, paints and what not could cost another ~$100 USD.
Correct me if I'm wrong. Doing that rough math, it could cost between $150-200 to build a suit yourself, though that can be higher depending on what brands you buy and what products you use.
Though getting a more quality suit depends on your skill level, so getting a quality suit could cost more because of buying more materials to practice. So if you're just starting out and want a good suit without making it yourself, buy a kit. But if you're going to be cosplaying constantly, it'd be cheaper in the long run to practice building it yourself. At least that's my take on it
The giant foam mats from hardware stores are marked up significantly. And if you can play the waiting game you can always order your foam and supplies from China.
I 3D Print and of someone commissioned me for a full con ready ODST Kit it would run you about $2,000.
They do have decent prices, I thought you said Home Depot before and then I went back and read you initial reply. My apologies. I think it can be done for about $200 in foam and maybe another $100-$150 in sealant, and paint supplies.Harbor freight foam is normally $9 (I think? Might be $8) per pack of 2x2ft foam tiles, with 4 each per pack. On sale it goes down to $6 per pack. That costs to around $45 for a full suit of armor for someone who's 6'2", and an another foam pack for the weapons, totaling to around $50.
Yes, I agree with you with you that hardware stores usually mark foam up significantly. But Harbor Freight is a hardware store that sells decent, cheap, and not name brand hardware making the price lower than normal.