So I've been on this for a while, and rather than dredging up my old WIP, I think I'd rather just start a new one, especially since I've only been doing work on my helmet. And so it begins...
I started with the WOF templates and traced them out onto galvanized steel. I'm pretty sure its either 20 or 22 gauge, so extremely thin.
I had an old drill block that was cylindrical and started forming it around until I got something somewhat helmet shaped.
The weld marks are where I folded over the bottom to actually give it some structural integrity.
Then I cut out the faceplate template, using a really inaccurate angle grinder...
I shaped it and welded it onto the cylinder.
I am a truly osik'la welder, which honestly did a lot of damage to my outside edges.
Here's my first try cutting out the cheek, it came out a little small and shallow, so I re-cut it after.
It seemed to work a lot better and looked good.
It looks pretty cool so far, in my opinion.
Both cheeks securely installed
Or not so securely after all, as my welding skill strikes back...
Then I started on the dome, not knowing that it would literally take me months to complete
I basically just hit the metal over this trailer hitch for a really long time. It sorta worked... A little.
It really started taking shape when I cut it into four sections, though.
And I bought myself a little English Wheel to help out a bit. It worked nicely for smoothing out hammer dents and such.
After many months spent avoiding making any progress on this, I finally went back to it one day and smashed the pieces into submission before welding them together:
It wasn't a perfect fit, but nothing a good smacking couldn't fix
I tacked some little pieces of metal onto the helmet to help with the dome installation.
I also sliced out a new faceplate because the old one was really dented up. I'm thinking of using snaps to hold it on, so I can paint it separately from the rest.
And after that, everything kind of just came together nicely.
I snagged a heavy duty dremel to grind down the welds, but it melted on me, so I had to take it back for a new one (Perks of buying from Princess Auto)
And that's all for now, about a year's worth of progress all compiled into one post
I'm hoping to get out this weekend and do some more work, but other than that updates may be few and far between.