ASOK CC FP MR Budget Boba Fett Helmet - Assembly and ESB Paintup

This is my assembly and eventual ESB paintup of ASOK's CC FR MR Budget Boba Fett Helmet. Hopefully it will help some visualize the process of getting the helmet ready to paint. I couldn't get pictures of everything but hopefully you get an idea of what is involved.

To make this helmet really shine you need to polish it with "0" grit steel wool and then a final buff with "000" or higher steel wool. This will give the finish of swirled aluminum. Afterwards give it a polishing with "0000" steel wool for that final shine. I prefer to use real steel wool instead of the 3M stuff. I think the metal on metal effects shines this up best.

The hole in the cheek you see is for the "borden connector". I found the real thing from a dental supply company recommened in a thread by Webchief. Why not have the real thing if its fairly cheap and available?

The three "prongs" on the back have to be clipped off and the stumps ground down. The band of black tape is to help it fit snug. Once the helmet is painted up I will mout it in a mor epermanent manner. Here is the piece just before being inserted into the cheek:

And here is the borden connector inserted into the helmet!

The RF comes with a smal pilot hole already drilled out. You just want to use a larger drill bit to make a small indentation so you have a place for a screw head to sit in.

Now I marked out two holes on the top of the stalk.




I drilled pilot holes to sink two small screws in.






I filled up the holes with a steel epoxy putty twisting the screws in untill they were in tight.

OK. Time to mount the clear part to the range finder.

Make sure you scuff up the inside of the rf and the back of the clear resin piece:





Glue in some rare earth magnets. Make sure you measure properly and make sure you have the appropriate poles line up!





The almost complete RF/ Antenna. Only thing missing now is the eyepiece. It needs to be painted first and then glued on.

I'll have to ask salamanderking about led lights for this now!

To attach the right earcap I glued three rare earth magnets to the inside. I then drilled out recesses into the right ear. The resin was thin so I reinforced the back with some epoxy putty.

I made a template for the visor with paper. (sorry no pics)After multiple trimmings I got the size right. Then I used chicago screws spaced strategically to hold the visor in place. I used washers to fill in any extra space between the screw and the bolt. It still needs a brace setup along the bottom of the mandibles. Stay tuned for that fix.

Here is where its at now:





I think this weekend I'll begin examining Rafalfett's templates and see what colors I have. I've been collecting different rattlecan paints from various stores. I hope to find something good... most likely I'll do the dome and cheeks Rustoleum Spruce Green.

Lovely start my good man. If I ever do a ROTJ helmet, I must look into one of ASOK's with my local bud BGHunter not doing them anymore - thats a great looking mold

IMHO spruce green isnt quite the best color for the helmet...check out Moss green. Its a much better choice I think. Rusto satin american accents.

It looks good so far! Just keep the updates coming!

Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

IMHO spruce green isnt quite the best color for the helmet...check out Moss green. Its a much better choice I think. Rusto satin american accents.

I will have to look at the Moss... When I painted my FP MR in 2010 I think I used the Moss and it appeared too light. So I masked out the damage again and painted over it with Krylon Italian Olive Green. I know we messaged about the color a few months back. I will look at my old thread here and see if I did use the Moss. If I can get the pic here maybe you can tell. Thanks for the input!

Originally Posted by RafalFett

It looks good so far! Just keep the updates coming!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

IMHO spruce green isnt quite the best color for the helmet...check out Moss green. Its a much better choice I think. Rusto satin american accents.

Hey F4R, Check this out from my old paintup. I think its the Moss... now if I remember correctly it was a gloss finish (mislabeled can!) and I used a steel wool to dull it down. So it looked worn and patchy to me. Maybe I sanded it too much?

Moss green...Satin home depot sells it

Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

Moss green...Satin home depot sells it

Moss it is then!

Thanks!... beautiful helmet by the way. I have to ask you later about some of final weathering, splatters, etc. I have a while yet though.

This is a very helpful thread! What do you use to trim the visor area from the helmet?

I'm already a fan of this thread! I love detailed wip and i'm sure i will use your advices for my next helmet. Keep up your excellent job!

Originally Posted by Beren97

This is a very helpful thread! What do you use to trim the visor area from the helmet?

I used a high speed cutting wheel... mine is Black and Decker but lots of guys use Dremel. You have to be careful though or you'll cut into the helmet. I also used tiny files foe the corners.

Originally Posted by StrumFett

I'm already a fan of this thread! I love detailed wip and i'm sure i will use your advices for my next helmet. Keep up your excellent job!

Thanks! I've been working on some custom parts for my Ep III clone lately so I've not had time for Boba. I'm hoping I'll get an our or so this week so I can mask out the silver damage and start painting this up.

I haven't trooped as Boba in a year and I'm itching to get suited up in the latest upgrades again!

Great work! What brand of glue did you use on the chicago screws and the magnets?

Looks great

Originally Posted by TK6682

Looks great

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Rich D.

Great work! What brand of glue did you use on the chicago screws and the magnets?

I used GOOP for the magnets on the outside earcap... on the part connected to the helmet I used JB KWIK. I placed a layer of tape inside the helmet to give a little support because the material is thin. Once the JB KWIK cures its solid and holds the magnets well.

Beautifull work man!!!!!!!!!!!! is a great guide to paint a Boba Helmet!!!!!!!!!!!

Way to fill a need on the forums CC

excellent job, I have the same helmet but not yet beginning to paint, and by the way thanks for the shoulder

Originally Posted by ABE

excellent job, I have the same helmet but not yet beginning to paint, and by the way thanks for the shoulder

Thank you!

I really want to start this helmet soon but I can't seem to find the time. Hopefully next week!

I hear you there CC, trying to find time, you got to be in the moment so nothing else matters, but there always seems to be something to slow us down, but geat work so far mate!

Originally Posted by clonecollector

Thank you!

I really want to start this helmet soon but I can't seem to find the time. Hopefully next week!

I have the same issue. I have to squeeze any time I have just to find any spare for my Fett...

Hay Buddy, Any progress on this?? I got the exact same helmet and want to follow your progress.... cheers!!!

Originally Posted by pistolpete7408

Hay Buddy, Any progress on this?? I got the exact same helmet and want to follow your progress.... cheers!!!

Hey Pete!

This helmet is no longer mine to complete ... I sold it to a member here who will continue the process. I love Fett but decided to let it go and try my hand at something else. I have to say... its easier than I thought it would be... But I'll still be here on TDH and thebhg! Maybe one day in the future (years from now) I'll build up another Fett.

This helmet was ready to paint and I hope the new owner wil lbegin his paintup soon!

Really nice work on the prep and fitting the borden and magnets, the extra effort will really show in the finished helmet, but isn't your RF ROTJ instead of ESB?

Originally Posted by HeadlessHunter

Really nice work on the prep and fitting the borden and magnets, the extra effort will really show in the finished helmet, but isn't your RF ROTJ instead of ESB?

It doesn't matter anymore, because he already sold the helmet, but in post #10 he mention:

Originally Posted by clonecollector

The almost complete RF/ Antenna. Only thing missing now is the eyepiece. It needs to be painted first and then glued on.

I added the lenspiece before I sent it to the new owner. Can't wait to see the paintup... maybe he'll continue it here... I can change the title.

QUOTE=HeadlessHunter;578288]Really nice work on the prep and fitting the borden and magnets, the extra effort will really show in the finished helmet, but isn't your RF ROTJ instead of ESB? [/QUOTE]

awesome

what are you using to trim the helmet and cut out the visor area? I have the same helmet, yours is looking awesome!

I used my dremel with a metal cutting wheel for most of the visor. I used a fine grinding tip for the corners. When I get needed to get into the corners I used small files.

Originally Posted by BayneVhett

what are you using to trim the helmet and cut out the visor area? I have the same helmet, yours is looking awesome!

Originally Posted by clonecollector

I used my dremel with a metal cutting wheel for most of the visor. I used a fine grinding tip for the corners. When I get needed to get into the corners I used small files.

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I hope to get mine done in time for C6.