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[Sandar Ortan]

I looked up Dresdon Acacin on facebook. There it says he is fully booked and does not take any commissions at the moment.

Soo...I bought this bucket: https://hbcarmorshop.com/en-eu/collections/larp-helmets/products/metal-mandalorian-hybrid-helmet-1?variant=41572675715254

Mine will be completely symmetrical, without a rangefinder. Before committing to this purchase, I researched this company a bit. Seems legit. Also have seen videos which show him actually making armour.

Still, I will give project one more try.

[Karl Dha'Werda]

Soo...I bought this bucket: https://hbcarmorshop.com/en-eu/collections/larp-helmets/products/metal-mandalorian-hybrid-helmet-1?variant=41572675715254

Ya, I came across your WIP yesterday and looked up the link.  Very cool, do you know anyone that has ordered from them in the past?  Sizing? Quality?  Reasonably priced for a stainless steel helmet.

[Sandar Ortan]

No, not from this forum. But you will see how it goes, I will keep you updated.

[OddViking]

For a dozen years I was once in a medieval reenactment group, and we fought in the armor (SCA) so it had to be well made. I have made a few helmets (in an armorer's workshop), and the dome is by far the hardest part. Not only to get it even, but also even on both sides with symmetry. All armorers use specialized dished anvils (or sometimes a deep dished shape made in a stump), but to get a dome you need that sort of round-recessed anvil setup, along with weighted rawhide mallets, and other tools that don't leave marks as you are making that dome. 
The good news is, because this dome part is something that everyone in that world needs, there are armorers that sell just that piece, made perfectly, to base your helmet off of. A mild steel top is just $75 here for instance: https://ironmongerarmory.com/parts/helm-tops
A spun steel mixing bowl would work well, but our heads are not round like an R2 unit, so some people take these and cut them into two halves (removing the center strip) and re-join those with a strip covering the seam, so that it is more oval-shaped like a skull.

[Hodayc Goran]

Hi guys. I know it seems like the metal mando helmet has evaded yet another vod, but, during the process, has anyone ever heard of Cleco fastners? I've been using them down at Bremerton National Airport for BACE's eXenos project. They are awesome (and a bit expensive) temporary rivets that can be inserted and removed with one squeeze of a specialized pair of pliers. A very simple mechanism, works flawlessly, as long as the Cleco fastner isn't too dinged up or damaged. Still, those things can survive a whole lot of punishment and still be functional; some of the Clecos we use have been through three or four homebuilt plane projects, and some might date back to WWII!

That said, I was gung-ho about metal armor when I first saw this forum. Then I read tons of instructables on dishing and what not, but look at me now: I have a $400 3D printer.

That doesn't mean I don't still drool over metal armor every chance I get! I even have a 14-gauge aluminum STOP sign hanging around, waiting for the right moment when I have tools, experience, and time. Guess I'll wait til I'm 60+ years old.

-- Hodayc Goran

P.S. OddViking, that's good to know about the dome... maybe I could do a metal dome with a 3D printed face/vents/ears....

[Sandar Ortan]

I live in Germany, so I do not think I would go for this option. But thanks for the heads up.

Honestly, if you want a nice, affordable, care-free bucket, take a look at HBC Armor Shop. Mine just arrived, and it turned out simply glorious. Excellent communication, and at the moment fast turnaround times.

[Karl Dha'Werda]

Honestly, if you want a nice, affordable, care-free bucket, take a look at HBC Armor Shop. Mine just arrived, and it turned out simply glorious. Excellent communication, and at the moment fast turnaround times.

Glad to hear,did it fit alright for you?  Can you post any pictures of it?  Had a Vod in my order a metal one before he met the clan and it was too small to fit over his head.

[Hodayc Goran]

Would it cost me as much as a new 3D printer? ($190-$500)

Edit (after Karl Dha'Werda pointed out my silly mistake below, sorry everyone):

$300 for mild steel, $350 for stainless steel. Might as well just do the stainless at that price, if it's only $50 more. But still, ouch again. I think I could make my own out of aluminum for less, once I 3D print one to use as a form to cast in aluminum.


But then again, steel vs. aluminum. Aluminum = lighter, Stainless = shiny. SHINY. MANDOS LOVE SHINY ARMOR. At least this mando does! You might be able to get aluminum to a bright enough polish, with care and the right compounds/grinders/buffing tools.

I know it wouldn't be shiny, but if my automotive emblem scheme pans out how I think it will, I could potentially nickel-plate the 3D printed mando helmet. Of course, I would need to make sure it was VERY smooth before, but that's doable, at least with sanding, bondo, and a resin coat. Throw in some filler 2-in-1 primer while I'm at it, so the 841-AR shielding paint sticks.

FYI, the shielding paint (electrically conductive paint) comes out like a mid-high-grit sandpaper if you don't spray at a low angle. Sanding between coats works really well to smooth it out.

-- Hodayc Goran

P.S. I wonder if their Din Djarin V2 chest/abs single plate with backplate would be approvable: https://hbcarmorshop.com/products/mandalorian-beskar-metal-body-armour?variant=41574258770102

Actually, probably not, unless you cut the chest off of the abs, shortened the abs, and made sure the two parts are separate. I'll have to check the PI CRLs again.

[Karl Dha'Werda]

Would it cost me as much as a new 3D printer? ($190-$500)

Posted above but quoted below

Soo...I bought this bucket: https://hbcarmorshop.com/en-eu/collections/larp-helmets/products/metal-mandalorian-hybrid-helmet-1?variant=41572675715254

[Sandar Ortan]

This mine:









Please note that this is a custom at no additional costs.

[Hodayc Goran]

OOOOHHH!!!!

SHINY!

 

If I ever messed with a stainless steel helmet, I don't think I could bear to paint it!
Maybe some highlights, like faceplate and ears. Maybe cheeks. But the dome/and/or/large sections of cheek and faceplate would probably stay bare metal, or maybe weathered a bit, depending on if it is true beskar or not.

[Karl Dha'Werda]

Fantastic Vod, glad you now have a helmet that fits.