Mando Mercs Costume Club

Mandalorian Armor => Helmets => Topic started by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Nov 06, 2012, 01:06 AM

Title: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Nov 06, 2012, 01:06 AM
Alrighty, time to dust this thread off and make it my official bucket WIP. Again, this'll be my second helmet, but no longer a scratch build. I received the Intimidator from Hondo last week. My original design has changed somewhat, and I'll put that up in the next few days, but I figured I'd add a few pictures of what I already have. Skip to reply #14!

Original Thread:

Quote
Hi everybody! I'm really new here, but I've been lurking a bit because I'm really interested in building my own kit. I made my first helmet from scratch out of chipboard in a very constrained time frame (for Halloween), so it's not as good as I'd like it. Since I've been thinking of going light and eventually applying to the Spec Ops brigade as a recon specialist, I figured I'd try to incorporate a long-range scanner into my helmet design. I don't want a large bulky attachment though, and I'd like to keep the ol' rangefinder, so here's what I've come up with. What do you think?

(http://i.imgur.com/tH07x.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/UKVMK.jpg)
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Adenn Kyram on Nov 06, 2012, 01:56 PM
That has definitely got possibilitys
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Nov 06, 2012, 11:55 PM
Messed around in Google Sketchup a bit. Much clearer idea than my drawings. The stalk is probably longer than it needs to be but this is still a quick mock-up.

Perspective
(http://i.imgur.com/c0dff.png?1)

Front
(http://i.imgur.com/EBtRI.png?1)

Back
(http://i.imgur.com/4nWD3.png?1)

Left
(http://i.imgur.com/8I3cI.png?1)

Right
(http://i.imgur.com/onem5.png?1)

Top
(http://i.imgur.com/tjb3v.png?1)

Bottom
(http://i.imgur.com/y20um.png?1)
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Nirob on Nov 07, 2012, 07:50 AM
Looking really cool. Especially the rangefinder.
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Nov 12, 2012, 07:56 PM
I've been looking at the requirements list and was wondering if that visor shape would be acceptable for a modern era mando? It says "full T-shaped visor", but I'd like mine to be curved and split as shown in my more recent helmet design:

(http://i.imgur.com/355yf.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/kio2A.png)

Does it have to be the angular, strict T like Boba or Jango's helmet?
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Than'del Coret on Nov 12, 2012, 10:53 PM
Looks to me like a modern, legacy cross. I dig it :)
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Pointoforigin on Nov 12, 2012, 11:30 PM
Yeah you should be fine with that.
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Nov 13, 2012, 12:12 AM
Great to hear. And thanks! I wanted a little more visibility than the standard ol' T offered. Didn't realize I was getting closer to the legacy realm. I must say, the "cross" looks pretty sweet though. :P
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Than'del Coret on Nov 13, 2012, 12:22 AM
Hey the way I see it, legacy had to come from somewhere. Surely some mandos used trial and error to perfect the "traditional" armor, thus the full coverage of legacy. But I really do love the bucket. Now get building :P
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Nov 13, 2012, 12:47 AM
I'm gonna print out the templates this weekend. Another scratch build! Maybe my third helmet will be a cast of this one if I'm satisfied with the quality.
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Kane Friax on Dec 11, 2012, 09:56 PM
like i said on your other thread: Looking Great!

-Kane
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: dcubed121 on Dec 12, 2012, 08:34 PM
I don't like rangefinders and I like the way that looks.
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Ran on Dec 14, 2012, 10:55 PM
I like the helmet, slightly modified T's always (well...usually) look cool in my opinion.  :rolleyes:
My only complaint is the shin plates, it seems a little random to have brown plates when the rest of the armor is grey and blue.
Title: Re: Second Helmet Plans
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Dec 15, 2012, 02:37 PM
I like the helmet, slightly modified T's always (well...usually) look cool in my opinion.  :rolleyes:
My only complaint is the shin plates, it seems a little random to have brown plates when the rest of the armor is grey and blue.

Oh, those are substitutes for boots that go maybe 3/4 up my calf.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 19, 2013, 08:55 PM
It lives! I'm finally ready to start. I have a couple exams this week so I won't do much work until the weekend, but I'll show you what I have so far and upload my new concept in the next couple days. It's not much different. For now, beware the mass of pictures below.

First off, the Intimidator from Skirata Arms. Great work by Hondo. I removed most of the flash today. (Also, in case anyone was wondering, it's just under 9.5" without ears.)

(http://i.imgur.com/iDxzkiu.jpg)

It's a good thick and fairly even helmet, but I after removing the flash I found that the vent areas are pretty thin in a couple spots. I'll reinforce those with fiberglass resin and cloth down the line.

(http://i.imgur.com/RKKGIad.jpg)

Here are the ears and RF I'm planning on attaching. Been slowly cleaning them up over the last couple months. Have a bit more work to do though. Yes, I'm still doing the left ear mounted macro, but I have a plan so that it'll still look good in the event that I want to go without it for a while. More on that in the future. The stalk and RF on the far right I won't use, and the ear piece between them may also be extra.

(http://i.imgur.com/PTpdEWb.jpg)

I've taped up some mock ups to see what it might look like. Ignore the left ear for a moment.

(http://i.imgur.com/SOGs6sm.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/8veKX7O.jpg)

Okay, now about the left ear. Hondo did some amazing work with the vents and I'm not sure I want to cover them up. I've come up with three possible options, two of which are fairly similar.

Option 1: I don't use the left bottom ear piece, leaving the vents exposed:

(http://i.imgur.com/BEYGoe0.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2TpHEf3.jpg)

Option 2: I mirror the right side as far as ear placement (Boba style), with the vents out of sight:

(http://i.imgur.com/DNRtlhN.jpg)

Option 3: Similar to option 2, except Jango style:

(http://i.imgur.com/bRGHNGE.jpg)

Any opinions? And like I said earlier, clear concept drawings to come tomorrow or Thursday.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Ran on Feb 19, 2013, 10:32 PM
Since you aren't going for True Mandalorian, I'd choose an option that covers up the vents.
That said, I cannot wait to see you do this, always loved the Intimidator. :)
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Than'del Coret on Feb 19, 2013, 11:17 PM
I'd have to disagree. Its a new style and I think the vents should be shown off for how awesome they really are. But that's just my two creds.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 21, 2013, 10:02 PM
Alrighty, here's a concept for covering the vents and the macro! The gradient is supposed to symbolize bare metal. Credit goes to the MandoMaker for providing me a nice base. :)

(http://i.imgur.com/i8bQB3V.png)

Also, here's a quick alternate to see what leaving the vents might look like. So, any ideas which I pick? I like them both.  :-\

(http://i.imgur.com/5pdZ8Yk.png)
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Hondo Karr on Feb 22, 2013, 12:36 AM
The cool thing about a "modular" helmet like this is designed to be is, you can put it together and keep it modular!

If you use small rare Earth magnets to attach the earcaps over the vents, you can simply paint over the magnets after you glue them in place and it will allow you to attach the pieces, remove them, move them around and give you all kinds of load out options for different events/photo shoots.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 22, 2013, 12:46 AM
I think I'll have to look into that then. The problem at the moment is that the ear pieces don't fit perfectly over the vents. There are small gaps on either side. So I'll have to find a way to make them sit flush and hide the vents underneath while still having them removable. Challenge accepted. I was leaning toward leaving the left vents uncovered anyway, but if I manage it I'll still have my second option, like you said. I'm more fond of the asymmetrical look.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Hondo Karr on Feb 22, 2013, 12:50 AM
They were kind of done that way on purpose to allow for airflow and better hearing. If the vents are opened up (ie cut a small slit in each overlap and back it with screen mesh) and the earcap is put on over it, when it's centered, painted and weathered, the seam crack is nearly invisible. Those small seams along with the open vents would make a great palce to install fanse to bring in fresh air or push out old air, or leaving them open without a fan would allow for better hearing :)

I did something very similar on a couple of helmets I used over the years and it really makes alot of difference.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 22, 2013, 01:10 AM
Oh, I see. Can you recommend anything for cutting out those slits in the vents? They're a little thin. Think a regular reinforced dremel bit would do the trick? I don't want to ruin them or else I'll definitely have to cover them up.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: z2the4 on Feb 22, 2013, 04:51 AM
Holy cow I wanna see this thing finished its going to look Amazing.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Tact Kor on Feb 22, 2013, 07:54 AM
Nice concept, I really like how you are doing the LRRF.

For what it's worth I prefer option 1, if you do cover it I think the jango style looks cleaner than option 2

How are you planning to build the LRRF?

Looking forward to seeing the rest of this
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Hondo Karr on Feb 22, 2013, 09:27 AM
Oh, I see. Can you recommend anything for cutting out those slits in the vents? They're a little thin. Think a regular reinforced dremel bit would do the trick? I don't want to ruin them or else I'll definitely have to cover them up.

I would either use the carbon fiber cutting wheel or one of the micro drill bits.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 22, 2013, 10:25 AM
Thanks guys

Nice concept, I really like how you are doing the LRRF.

For what it's worth I prefer option 1, if you do cover it I think the jango style looks cleaner than option 2

How are you planning to build the LRRF?

Looking forward to seeing the rest of this

Well, if the modular thing works out I can have both. I'm going to make the macro out of a for sale sign, since that's all I have access to at the moment. Of course I'll still reinforce it. Maybe in the future I'll be able to upgrade to styrene or 3mm sintra.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Niabi on Feb 22, 2013, 02:08 PM
love the concept ;D
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 25, 2013, 02:56 AM
Thanks. :D

Had a surprise visit from the girlfriend this weekend, so I didn't get much done. Nearly finished cleaning up the ear pieces though, just have one part left. This coming week I'm going to take care of the last ear piece and start prepping the helmet for the primer coat.

Also, this:

(http://i.imgur.com/l8CWnhD.jpg)

Sorry for the bad lighting. Nothing seems good enough indoors, not even 6 lights. Anyway, there were some bubbles in the holes there at the top, so I had the brilliant idea to just drill them out. Well my hand slipped and I messed them up (and sent some shrapnel towards my eyes, hooray safety glasses). I suppose I'll slather some bondo on and either leave it like that or try again more carefully.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 28, 2013, 08:36 PM
Itty bitty update. Only had enough sunlight after class and exams to remove the last bit of flash from the helmet, then sand and primer it so I could see the imperfections better. When the sun comes up tomorrow I should be able to apply bondo to start filling up dents, holes and the like.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Tact Kor on Feb 28, 2013, 08:40 PM
Okay the girl friend and classes are going to have to take a backseat are you serious about this build or what?

 :P JK

Look forward to seeing your progress
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Feb 28, 2013, 08:43 PM
Okay the girl friend and classes are going to have to take a backseat are you serious about this build or what?

 :P JK

Look forward to seeing your progress

Ha, well considering I've only seen her 2 weekends in the past couple months I think she'd kill me if I didn't spend time with her after driving 3 hours to be with me.  :laugh: But yes, this weekend shall have much progress!
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Mar 02, 2013, 08:37 PM
Big update, lots of pictures. :D

First of all, I bondo-ed up and sanded all my ear pieces to fix the imperfections from the casting process. A few didn't seem to have enough resin, so I had to build up a lot. They're nearly perfect now, just need some more sanding and a little spot filling here and there. They aren't all perfectly flat... might be the way I'm sanding them. Anyway, I'll have to work on that later.

(http://i.imgur.com/a3u9JQE.jpg)

I also filled up the holes on the right ear that I had messed up. I think I'll leave it like this for now, but I might drill them out in the future with a proper drill, not my dremel.

(http://i.imgur.com/Eo3XNJw.jpg)

On to the helmet! There were very few issues, but some had to be fixed (and some I personally couldn't overlook :P) in order to get it all to fit right. The left ear area sort of dipped in and then out. This made it very difficult for the ear piece to lay flat. I used bondo to sort of reconstruct it and then sanded everything down flat. From the front it hardly looks like any bondo was applied, but it's now very wonderfully flat.

(http://i.imgur.com/jUNSTiI.jpg)

Only problem is with the ear piece, like I said before. A little more sanding and it should rest nice and flush. Still, it's barely perceptible.

(http://i.imgur.com/sOZGRiJ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/L2Cr9Jv.jpg)

The right ear area was sort of rounded so I just sanded it flat, and also filled out the "brim" area back there because it was much more shallow than the rest of the helmet, if that makes sense.

(http://i.imgur.com/0ZdVQXY.jpg)

These pieces also sit nearly perfectly, just need a little more tweaking. It might not look it because of the vents, which I will not be filling.

(http://i.imgur.com/n9OtFAA.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ER6fyBF.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ROFxdGT.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/H5tD8hu.jpg)

I built up the area where I wanted to split the visor with bondo, and also built up the brim on the front a bit as it was unusually flat there. It needs some filling on the underside but that's good enough for now.

(http://i.imgur.com/sQlxoCW.jpg)

As for the dome, it had some dips and sags, all very minor except one, and a sort of a valley along the center from the front to back. I just couldn't leave it like that, so I filled in the ones that I felt where major. Everything else should look like minor dents when everything's painted. I filled in the arrows too, as one wasn't well defined and I had no idea how to carve it out better.

(http://i.imgur.com/9C4lxcK.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/SB6TpkP.jpg)

Then everything was wetsanded with a medium grit to make it all nice and smooth and to expose or get rid of minor imperfections. After that, I drew the visor split and got to cutting. Here's the result!

(http://i.imgur.com/ZpVU95u.jpg)

And after some filing. Unfortunately, the only file I have is that little one there on the table from my multitool.

(http://i.imgur.com/v02rJqx.jpg)
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Tact Kor on Mar 02, 2013, 10:16 PM
Nice work,

Your attention to detail should pay off in the end result, thanks for posting your progress look forward to more updates.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Pointoforigin on Mar 03, 2013, 09:08 AM
Yes indeed, that level of attention to detail will do you well.

A suggestion if you're going to be keeping the vents under the earcaps...

Glue the earcaps on just at the top and bottom. Where they pass over the vents, sand down a little bit so it actually allows airflow.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Mar 03, 2013, 07:32 PM
Thanks. I'm actually going to try magnets, so I have to order some of those.

I'm pretty much done filing. I still have minor touch ups to do, but that can wait until I get some spot putty. I'm also out of primer now. So, I have a shopping trip ahead of me. :P

(http://i.imgur.com/QcEwpQ6.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/jIV0mGF.jpg)

And visor test fitting. Any advice for sanding the inside so I can get it to lie flush?

(http://i.imgur.com/TQE7A90.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/zxSpvja.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/AJR2IbO.jpg)

I also tested some silver leaf rub 'n' buff on the top of the dome. Worked fairly well, but it's clear that I'm going to have to wetsand everything down to be extremely smooth if I want it to look good.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Swift on Mar 03, 2013, 09:47 PM
I've never seen a visor that was perfectly flush with the helmet, actually. So long as it's not obviously off kilter, it shouldn't be a problem. Probable best to wait on advice from someone that has actually finished their helmet :D
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Mar 03, 2013, 10:02 PM
It doesn't have to be perfect, but as you can see in the first visor picture the thickness in that area varies pretty wildly and there are huge gaps.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Pointoforigin on Mar 04, 2013, 09:41 AM
Yes.

http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=52872.msg743004#msg743004

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy184/pointoforigin1/2012-07-03094734.jpg)

The angles are REALLY annoying to work with using a dremel. Use the flex arm if you can. The object is not to get a perfectly flush surface - just a perfectly even thickness RIGHT on the edge. And then you cheat.

(http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy184/pointoforigin1/2012-07-05152946.jpg)

You paint the edge flat black.
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Tact Kor on Mar 04, 2013, 10:12 AM
Helmet is looking good

Pointoforigin is right, use a Dremel on th really high bumps than a bit of hand sanding as needed. As long as the visor is larger than the opening then no one wil really see the gaps once it's in.

I used screws to secure my visor, this help pull the corners in tight to the visor

Good luck
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: xenotoes on Mar 06, 2013, 10:01 AM
Lookin' awesome! How's the rub n buff going? Keep us updated ;)
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Mar 06, 2013, 05:10 PM
More exams and quizzes this week, unfortunately no time to work on my helmet. Won't be back at it for a couple weeks because I'll be in Colorado snowboarding for Spring Break.  :-\
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Mar 07, 2013, 01:06 PM
Took a break from studying last night before my brain fizzled out. Sanded the dome a bit and tried the rub 'n' buff out on a spot the didn't completely sand through. Looks much better. Unfortunately I'm out of primer and spot putty as I haven't been able to make it to the store. Gonna have to do that after Spring Break. Going out of town in a couple hours. Anyway, when I can I'll do several steps of priming and sanding up to 400 grit wetsand after I fill in the last few pinholes. Then I'll embed some magnets in the ears so that they're not visible, add rub 'n' buff everywhere, and finally get to painting and weathering. Not too many more weeks now. :)

(http://i.imgur.com/ef6FgTQ.jpg)
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Apr 20, 2013, 07:36 PM
Hello! Long break. College sucks right now, ha. Been keeping me from doing any work on my bucket. However, I just received some spot putty and magnets for the ear pieces. They may be tiny, but I have 30 of 'em and they're strong little things. I'm going to try to even out the visor area right now. Hopefully later tonight I can ask a friend to take me to walmart for some primer. Won't be doing too much work until after finals. Then I'll be able to really get things rolling. I have pretty much everything I need for my kit except gloves and boots (and bolo for my girth).
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: ConDar Ward on Apr 20, 2013, 07:38 PM
This Buy'ce is Mint ...... Keep Rolling ner'vod ...  8)
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Mithredates on Apr 20, 2013, 09:58 PM
Looks good. I am glad to see you are approaching the pre-paint prep work with care. Correct preparation makes painting infinitely easier!
Title: Re: Cyare's Second Helmet WIP
Post by: Cyare Kebii'tra on Apr 25, 2013, 01:09 AM
Thanks a lot guys. The visor area was dremeled as evenly as I could manage. Tomorrow I will start the final bondo/spot putty work and drill some recesses for the magnets.