First ever helmet build

Baruthulous

New Hunter
Hi guys, Baruthulous here. I think Boba Fett is the most badass thing about Star Wars, and can't wait until his movie in 2016!! To celebrate, I decided to make my first ever cosplay costume. I've always wanted to partake in the cosplay, but haven't for whatever reason.

So using Wizard of Flight's templates, I have embarked on a quest to make my own Fett cosplay.

Here is my progress so far...

P1010004.JPGP1010003.JPGP1010006.JPG

The ear pices have been the most annoying so far, I think they turned out ok so far though. Nothing that can't be fixed during the bog and sanding phase. Same as the weird bulging that's happening in the dome.

I have a couple of questions though....

1) The dent on the front that is supposed to be part of the helm, how do I do that?

2) For hardening up the cardboard, what do I do? I have seen some people use layers of different ratios of water:pva, but others that use fibre glass resin...wich way is best for results, but also good for n00bs?

3) The visor...is there a place to buy them ready made? Or do i use a piece of perspex, cut it, heat and bend, and then tint?

Thanks in advsnce, and I'd love to heare any criticisms or tips

Cheers
Baruthulous
 
Ok, so, the Range Finder ear cap is now attached...

P1010004 (2).JPG
(sorry for photo quality....only camera I have)

So anyway, I think I'm upto the hardening part, but 2 questions.

1) Do I add the dent now or after its hardened, and how do I add it? I've tried actually denting it, but the way the cardboard is moving, its denting way too big

2) Wich method is best for noobs, as asked earlier?

Thanks in advance,
Baruthulous
 
/hello, to answer your first question. i sealed everytjing with an acrylic sealer from michaels craft store or amazon. this prepped and sealed the cardboard. i used canson illustration board which is pretty firm but covered the dome especially in epoxy resin. you can check my post here http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f23/first-scratch-build-50372/ for links to materials and some info

for the dent i waited until it was all sanded and primered, drew a template of the dent on the surface and cut a hole
hot glued a bigger, dent shaped piece of board on the inside. then covered that with epoxy on the inside to really set it. on the outside i then filled the dent with spackle and shaped appropriately.

when the spackle dries brush on epoxy, dry epoxy, sans and reprimer. done

sounds like a lot but it goes pretty quick and i dont like it when people give incomplete responses

hope al this helps

cheers
 
Hahaha, cheers man.

As far as answers, I just went into the unknown and used pva glue to harden the helm. First I brushed the whole thing with water to soften it, then 2 layers of 1:1 PVA:Water, then a final 2:1 PVA:Water. Seemed to work alright. Anxious to actually try the resin method.

I'm halfway through the bog and sanding stage, and I'm pretty pleased so far. I will try to add the dent and the arrows in after the dome is finished, using either a dremel, or old fashioned elbow grease.

Anyway, I'll stop yapping and get back to work, new pics as soon as I think it'll be photogenic ;P

Baruthulous
 
If you want you can reference my post for some details.
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f23/first-scratch-build-50372/

as for the hole I waited until the build was completely sealed with epoxy, sanded and primered. then I drew out the proper hole and just cut and dremeled it out. then put a backing larger than the hole inside the helmet and secured it with glue gun and epoxy.

once dry I filled the outside with spackle and shaped it to match the reference then sealed that with epoxy. resanded and primered.

hope that helps.
 
Deadcat - I haven't been taking photos, but will start, just for you ;P

darthchimp - thanks man, it makes a lot of sense to do it that way, what with logic and all, hahaha. Your's looks sick btw! With the visor part, are you going to leave the board where the visor will go? Or cut it out once you get the visor?

SarlaccChewToy - Thanks alot, and the main construction really isn't too hard, now that I'm at the filler and sanding stage, its wearing on me pretty hard......not super fun work. Thanks for that site too! This is why I love the internet.....t-visors, who'd o thunk it? As far as qizard of Flights templates go.....is that the standard visor? Deluxe? I would never have thought there would be enough different visors to give me analysis paralysis!!

- - - Updated - - -

Ooooooooh.......those are meant to sit inside the helm, against the visor slot? dayum, My helmet is a really snug fit so was going to have to sit mine halfway in the slot.......will that still work?
 
Ok, so it's been a while since I updated this, but like I said, the filling and sanding stage was really not fun. But, I finished that part and primed the sucker, and I think it looks great. There are a whole bunch of rough bits, in the dome especially, but I think for a battle worn helm, it should be fine, not to mention I should be able to hide the gross ones with paint.

DSCN0013.JPGDSCN0012.JPGDSCN0014.JPG

Again, sorry for the pic quality, I will be getting an Ipad in the next week or so, so should be good on that front soon.

I also settled on the version I'm going for, and it's not from any of the films, but the Mythos version by sideshow toys. Here is a pic of that..

Anyways, thats pretty much it for now. The next time I make a helmet, I will have to find a different material that likes curves more. The dome especially, I couldn't quite get it all the way smooth.

Cheers,
Baruthulous







1BobaBIGGUN.jpg
 
DISASTER!!!! Just got home from TAFE, with a brand new Ipad mini ready to take good quality photos, and found my helmet destroyed. My sister came over with her kids, and turns out they both wanted to play with it, and the results are messed up. As soon as I setup the Ipad, ill take some pics. I don't think it's salvagable, but interested to hear what you guys think....ugh
 
I have a pepakura one in my attic I could probably get to you. It's been resin'd and covered in bondo. I can get you a picture later if you're interested shoot me a PM.
 
Just remember, they're no good to you dead :p

I'm so jealous of all these helmets.. Some day I'll build on the courage to try my own..

Hopefully the patience also..
 
Your bucket is coming along beautifully!!! I built a BF costume 4 yrs ago for Halloween for my son who was 8 then...and it turned out great...using all info gathered here. But, now w/ the new trilogy starting around the corner...I'd like to build one for myself, I'm 6'4" so I'll be a tall BF . I too have a few questions...I used, for my son's bucket a ForSale sign for the dome, and 1/8" Sinatra for the sides and back...and then used fiberglass AND resin and Bondo (LOTSo'SANDING). But I see that some here start w/ a cardboard'ish type stock, then pour fiberglass resin over it. Is this generally how it's done? If so...sounds better than Sinatra and the ForSale sign, which were very hard to work with. Sorry so lengthy...I just need some professional advice!!!
 
My WIP is a poster board with fiberglass and bondo filler. Looking like it will work well for Halloween and party purposes but in the long run I'll be thinking about something like one of animefans buckets. That's more of me being overly critical of my works though. If someone else from here made it I can believe it's been done right :D
 
Wow this is coming along great! So with your PVa : water mixture, are you still going to later be able to solidify the helm with fiberglass? I'm also a noob and started yesterday, I got the dome part of the template done first, but as of now it's just out of card stock, if you could look at my thread and give me some advice it would be great!
 
This thread is more than 9 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top