ToEleven updates to original helmet

ToEleven · Aug 31, 2016

The time has come to make an improved mold for my helmet castings, and there have been some things bugging me about my original build that have become an itch I absolutely have to scratch. (no pun intended maybe)

I started out only wanting to make my keyslots a little more accurate looking as well as adding an integrated MQ-1. During my planning I decided to enhance the sculpt of the dome and back panels as well.

I don't know what is wrong with me...in the throes of bondoing the dome I decided I wanted to redo the dent. I've come to realize that while the dent looks to be round in shape in photos and templates, it's actually a little wider than it is tall. Master Replicas can probably be blamed for this in their horrible representation of it.

Various stages of sculpting and resculpting. I

This is where I ended up. I really did like my other dent, but I'm restless. I also resculpted my turn signals. I'm pretty happy with where they are now.

The last thing is the face. I closed in the gap a little on the visor and tightened everything up a bit. I also lengthened the mandibles down about 2mm. I really like how the MR looks in the regard and wanted to emulate that. The MR was also an inspiration in my dome mods as well.

I gave it one shot of primer to help locate any lumps and mistakes. This is where I'm at with it today.

My original build thread over there=> http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f23/yet-another-toeleven-scratch-build-54093/

RichardJones · Aug 31, 2016

The mods look really good here. what did you change with the turn signals? overall shape or depth? Now i have to re-think my dent, seeing as how you made mine!

Nighthawk756 · Aug 31, 2016

Looks great brother!! Is this also the larger version you were considering making?

Artakha · Aug 31, 2016

Wow very nice job!!

ToEleven · Sep 1, 2016

RichardJones said:
The mods look really good here. what did you change with the turn signals? overall shape or depth? Now i have to re-think my dent, seeing as how you made mine!

I made them a little deeper and rounded the ends a bit more. I like to think of fett helmet dents like snowflakes...no 2 are alike.

Nighthawk756 said:
Looks great brother!! Is this also the larger version you were considering making?

That will be a ways down the road...if I can get a break in everything else I have going on. This helmet is roughly the same size as the FPH2, which really isn't a bad size IMO. My mods to the dome, back shape and key slots will make the helmet alot roomier.

Magnavis · Sep 1, 2016

Other than fill/sand/repeat, are there any other tips you can give for getting such a smooth dome?

ToEleven · Sep 1, 2016

Magnavis said:
Other than fill/sand/repeat, are there any other tips you can give for getting such a smooth dome?

I use a Black and Decker orbital sander with 120 grit sandpaper...going around the dome in a circular motion without ever dwelling in one spot. Once I have the shape looking good I hand sand from there. The orbital will leave some raised artifacts that you will want to smooth out by hand. Be careful not to get too close to your edges/details. The orbital will dig into them pretty quickly. You can really only safely sand no less than an inch away from those places.

mainst69 · Sep 1, 2016

The George Lucas of bondo is at it again! Every time you think it's done, nope, little more sanding, fine tuning and it's even better than before. I love reading the updates. One day I hope to be able to afford to buy an amp/helmet combo!!! ESB and DC30!!! LOL

ToEleven · Sep 1, 2016

Hah thanks! Maybe the loudest helmet on stage!

Cyris · Sep 1, 2016

Those mods look great, ToE! It's subtle, but it looks more enhanced already, especially with the pronounced dent and mandible alteration. Oh, and a built-in MQ-1 is also appreciated...especially to those of us who aren't so fond of keyslot work! lol

Artakha · Sep 3, 2016

How did you shape the dent? Bondo, and filing it down carefully? It looks extraordinary clean and defined

ToEleven · Sep 4, 2016

le1120 said:
How did you shape the dent? Bondo, and filing it down carefully? It looks extraordinary clean and defined

I use bondo some...mostly polyester resin with q-cell filler added to the resin. The q-cells are a lighter than air powder that you add in to the resin after you've mixed in the hardener. I get it to a consistency thicker than resin, but thinner than bondo. Then I coat the dent with it. Once it dries I can use sculpting tools to scrape away at the dent.

I've found that files just don't work well for all of the little folds and bends inside the dent. It really is a great part of the helmet, and requires a delicate touch. You can trace various photos of the dent from the galleries and get a pretty good outline, scaled it to about 3cm across. For mine I filled and refilled until I got something that clicked.

ToEleven · Sep 6, 2016

...aaaand more bondo. For you mainst69.

intwenothor · Sep 6, 2016

Any chance of a comparison of old dent versus new dent please?

Artakha · Sep 6, 2016

Wow that is pretty insane. I have a question though, there seems to be a diagonal line going across the curve of the area (painted black/dark blue on completed helmets) above the cheek, is that actually present on the actual helmets? Also is this intended to be modeled after ESB or one of the other helmets?

toofastrobot · Sep 6, 2016

le1120 said:
Wow that is pretty insane. I have a question though, there seems to be a diagonal line going across the curve of the area (painted black/dark blue on completed helmets) above the cheek, is that actually present on the actual helmets? Also is this intended to be modeled after ESB or one of the other helmets?

The bulge!

- - - Updated - - -

Ah dang nevermind, looks like it was just a trick of the eyes.

ToEleven · Sep 7, 2016

intwenothor said:
Any chance of a comparison of old dent versus new dent please?

Here you go. The dent on my MDF tipped me off to the fact that most of the archive photos are taken from some kind of angle which give the dent a more round appearance. I may or may not be done with mine. It's close though.

le1120 said:
Wow that is pretty insane. I have a question though, there seems to be a diagonal line going across the curve of the area (painted black/dark blue on completed helmets) above the cheek, is that actually present on the actual helmets? Also is this intended to be modeled after ESB or one of the other helmets?

If you mean the top curve where black meets red then yes. The production/pre helmets all have an angular appearance rather than a smooth continuous curve. The Master Replicas changed up their helmets by modifying it into a smooth curve which has created some confusion.

@Raizo I've mulled that one over, but I still have it in mind to tackle the RoTJ at some point. So I'd have to sand the bulge out. Maybe if I decide to fork it off into another version...all those mold making materials get expensive though.

toofastrobot · Sep 7, 2016

If you did add it, you'd be the first to have a cast that it came with!

I circled where I thought it saw it, then I noticed what LE was actually talking about.

ToEleven · Sep 7, 2016

Raizo said:
If you did add it, you'd be the first to have a cast that it came with!

I circled where I thought it saw it, then I noticed what LE was actually talking about.

Ah ok, that's just some artifact from the layers paint and bondo that have been sanded through. I've made some pretty drastic changes in the profiles of the cheeks. The diagonal line is sort of reprented, but it's very soft and subtle...no sharp creases should be visible inside that portion of the cheek.

mainst69 · Sep 7, 2016

ToEleven said:
...aaaand more bondo. For you @mainst69.

View attachment 102897[/Q

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Das right, yeah baby!

ToEleven updates to original helmet

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