I'm trying to decide if I've got time to take the plunge and mod my Rubies bucket for Halloween -- does someone have a good source for lenses/grills/tusks? I won't put Dremel to plastic unless I've got the parts lined up -- would hate to have a half-finished lid...

Thanks in advance,
Doc

You ask a tough question. Are you going to front or rear mount the lenses? If rear mounting, then you'd have to break away the front mounting system and build up the eye sockets.

The lens question alone determines whether you'd be likely to make it to Halloween.

The problem with replacing the lenses of a Rubie's is that it requires that you reshape the upper and lower inner eyelids. Everyone is going to do it differently and therefore the eyesocket shape will be different, whereupon there is no standard size of lens that will fit unless it's oversized.

For now, you may just want to leave the mask unmodified for Halloween. Just go as Chad Vader!

Hey there, and thanks for the replies! I'm pretty well-versed in what's necessary to mod the Rubies (thanks in large part to Mac's uber-excellent documentation of his own Rubies mod!).

So, yeah, I'd be reshaping the eyeholes (using AquaMend -- thanks, Mac), and doing the other necessaries, like squaring off the mouth grill, etc. So I'm looking for a good source for rear-mounted, bubble lenses -- not the flat stock that some are selling as a replacement for the stock Rubies. I don't really want to deal with making my own -- I'd like to purchase them and have 'em ready to mount before I start Dremel-ing out the eyeholes. Same for the grill and tusks. I'm just looking for a good source for accurate parts before I start the process.

From what I gather, "Lensman" isn't around any more, so I'm curious as to where you guys are getting your stuff.

Thanks,
Doc

Okay, I just spoke with T-VIRUS on this. As with our joint Vader helmet and armor projects to help fellow fans have something nice without having to break their bank or bow unnecessarily to a bastard vader god, we are going to try to build a lens prototype.

If it works out, we'll then attempt a vacuum forming process.

And if that works, we'll try to make lenses available.

And the goal will be to make this "bubble" though it won't be a straight bubble or egg but something harmonious with the shape of Vader's eye.

The R&D will take us a few months but not forever.

We realize this is a need, and we'll do our best to figure something out.

Great project mac and good luck for all our sakes.

I agree! We really need a source for Vader lenses... a source for the actual lense sheets would be equally as helpful, for those who may want to form their own.

I think Christmas has come early! Those lens' are a pain to do. I know alot of people will be happy to hear that you have come up with a solution.. whenever that is

Wow, I just checked back and saw this. If you guys do this, you'll be heroes in the Vader-building community! Keep me posted on progress!

Cheers,
Doc