General New member considering Zam Wesell

[hasenscharte]

First, I'd like to say that you did an overall good job. Not sure if I could have done this (thats why I took the waiting time and ordered from MonCal)

Comparing your helmet (the pictures where you are wearing it) with the pics in the gallery, the first thing I noticed is that the ears are way too big. Also check the front part of the ear as it is quite different.

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/gallery/star-wars-dressing-a-galaxy/p9529-zam-wesell-costume.html

Looking further, I'm thinking if the helmet is overall too big. How much space do you have in the back? Looks like you could fit a complete hand in it.

It also looks like if the neck piece is way too long. Compare it with this picture:
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/gallery/star-wars-the-magic-of-myth/p9340-zam-wesell-costume.html


Regarding 501st approval, ask your GMO what he thinks, as he is the one to decide.

 

[mirval]

One question, over the neck piece should be a tube?

I think the helmet size is right, but it's true, earcups are bigger than original.

Mine is the same, pepakura is long in the back, but I thought that a tube was in this place, and the helmet holds it.

 

[silvermitt]

To have it stabilized at all, I had to coat it several times. Sanding it down smooth almost put me to paper on many places. As for the fit, there isn't any room inside the helmet. It squeezes the top of my head as it is and that's with sanding it down. I knew the cuffs didn't look quite right. Unless I use a different medium, I'm not going to get that slim look that the original has got. Hence, my frustrations. Hasenscharte, my original pepakura helmet (made 3 times now I think) was too large. This one I'm working on that made it past the resin coating stage, fits right on my head. It might appear large in the back, but it isn't. Mirval, I haven't gotten to the tube insertion just yet. Soon.

Not sure what I'm going to do about those ear covers. We tried hard to get them to run just to the jawbone on my face. I think we got that right, but because they don't look like the original... it just fails.

I had high hopes of having this costume done before Tri-Con (Sept. 25-27). With this being so troublesome...I'm having serious doubts. I'd love to buy MonCals, I really would. But I'm going to have to buy gauntlets from him already, and I don't have the cash just yet on hand for even those. So, I have to make this helmet work. Wonder if he'd be up to just making those ear covers?

 

[hasenscharte]

You can ask MonCal for sure if he does. But be ready to wait for all parts for about 1 year..what ever time he tells you.

I searched a bit for his helmet and remembered this thread:
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f29/my-zam-project-progress-18433/index9.html?highlight=helmet

There a lots of pics of MCs helmet. Maybe they help you a bit.

And if you need, I could take some measurements of our helmet.

 

[silvermitt]

I modeled the earcovers and greeblies from that thread, actually.

Talking with my husband about this, my best guess is that if I had created a clay model to form the covers, and then used a thin material to mold over it, like thermoplastics, it would have looked spot on. But I didn't have access to that stuff then. I can probably do that now, but it would take precious time I don't have. Maybe, just maybe... if this one passes the 501st approval, I can remake the helmet later to be more perfect. Currently, I am trying to get input from the higher officers to see what I can adjust to make this happen (Even if it's temporary).

 

[silvermitt]

Question to you all: The back greeblie, exactly which way way is the large hole oriented, to the left or right ear? I know it sits horizontally, but I have not seen one picture of it from any official costumes. Was there ever a picture of it from the movie or traveling exhibitions? I could just stick it on and not think about it, but I didn't want to screw it up if someone knowledgeable ever saw my helmet in person.

 

[silvermitt]

My neoprene is being sewn by a pro with a hard-core sewing machine, lucky woman. Should be done this week in time for Tri-Con in E'ville, IN. Also I've made adjustments on the helmet (no, I didn't miraculously recreate ear covers , but I'm just going to have to put up with them for the time being). I'm posting 10 new pictures of the helmet as it stands. I'm open to criticism, and thoughts to do minor adjustments before I start painting it with the Lab-metal paint. I will be sure to post regarding the application of that and how well it works for a helmet. The back greeblie looks rough right now, but I can fake it with the proper paint.

SW Zam by silvermittt | Photobucket

 

[hasenscharte]

I modeled the earcovers and greeblies from that thread, actually.

Talking with my husband about this, my best guess is that if I had created a clay model to form the covers, and then used a thin material to mold over it, like thermoplastics, it would have looked spot on. But I didn't have access to that stuff then. I can probably do that now, but it would take precious time I don't have. Maybe, just maybe... if this one passes the 501st approval, I can remake the helmet later to be more perfect. Currently, I am trying to get input from the higher officers to see what I can adjust to make this happen (Even if it's temporary).

You mean the back greeblie on the helmet?

 

[mirval]

Thanks for the photo! Now I can see the arm greeblie has got two laces, not one.

Thanks!

 

[silvermitt]

Yes and no. It's the one under the helmet attached to the tubing. I have that image in a book too, but it's so dark and tiny in that location that it's impossible for me to see the orientation other than it lies horizontal. Maybe I'm thinking too hard about this. The top one is more easily to place properly. I found I had to remove mine as it wasn't aligned correctly. But it's fixed now.

 

[hasenscharte]

Check the picturesfrom theDressing a Galaxy runway show in the gallery. These shots are from a low angle and you should see the orientation.

 

[silvermitt]

Thanks! To get it big enough to see made it pretty grainy. However, I think I'm seeing the large (screw) shaped circle to the right side ear. THAT one picture is the only one I've seen now in all this time searching up Zam this and that. Thanks again for the pointer there (which I should have done on my own, without asking...).

 

[silvermitt]

I think I'll be using the lab metal for anything metallic here on out. I love how this looks when it's buffed. I used a fine steel wool pad and it shines nicely! I probably should have sanded the helmet more, but I kinda like the way it ends up looking. Like it's seen battle. I tried several ways to go about this and found the steel wool is the best. I used a 0000 fine grit wool pad. Just takes elbow grease. I really wished I could cheat and use a dremel or buffing tool though.
Bucket of all images: SW Zam by silvermittt | Photobucket

*MWAHAHAHAHAAAAaaaaa and I'm not really that evil, but whatever*

 

[silvermitt]

The back greeblie went from this:

to this:

 

[silvermitt]

Three shots of progression buffed, grease/dirt effect added, aqnd highlighted with silver rub-n-buff on the last image. To me, pictures can't really give you the fine details as seeing it in person. But hopefully, you can get the gist of what I'm doing with this. I saw one of my pictures in photobucket shows how badly messed up my front line looks. Going to fix that asap.

 

[silvermitt]

Fellow Zammers, I got something you might want to know about when it comes to the binocular build for the helmet. I did a local easter egg hunt for parts and found much of what I think would be acceptable for making them. That fun little piece with the rotating eye inside is called a rod end, and the package is ball links found at hobby stores. I've marked the screw that goes into the copper piece to be cut down so it doesn't stick out when it's put together on the ear covers. The bag-o-screws and lock nuts are for putting the rods together (and I got alot just in casse....). For those who find this useful, your welcome.

 

[silvermitt]

Veil and mock hood done. Costume base is done too. I've run out of time today to get all the greeblies properly attached for a picture. Also, I'm a bit disappointed at how low the ovaries are hanging on me. They look like I got a pair hanging wide, if you know what I mean. *sigh* I'm pretty sure my chestplates are too long. And I don't have time to remake them before the Tri-Con this weekend. I'm going to see if I can curve them more and fake it for the weekend. And then make a proper pair of them right.

 

[mirval]

Good work!! Awesome

 

[silvermitt]

Well, I wore my costume at a comic convention this weekend. The things I want/need to change are to shorten my shin guards, shorten my chest plates, find stronger snaps for the boots, or maybe a different way to get them to stay put. I'm having ideas but unsure yet where to get the items I've got in mind. I might tighten up the mock hood too. Still need binoculars and gauntlets. That'll come in time. I'm not rushing it so much now and can take a bit of time to do these tweaks. Thank you 501st for the critique and I'll be reworking this stuff soon.

I will say I got one heck of a positive response about the costume, which I didn't quite expect. They say you are your own biggest critic, and apparently that's true. Since I'm not Legion and this costume hasn't been approved (and this was my first test run at wearing it) I entered in the costume contest. I received 2nd place, which I was very, very pleased about.

 

[silvermitt]

Working on binoculars today. If a dremel and steel-reinforced JB Weld isn't in a costumer's toolbox, they're screwed. I think I've got most of the components for the actual binoculars, but I'm stumped about the in between. Supposedly, you can really use these to see through. But that would require another lens which I can't figure out how it fits in. There are more images than the ones I'm posting. If someone cleverer can give me an idea, please share what it is I'm missing to make them work. I'm so curious to know if I am anywhere near what MonCal had done to make his sets. I've no intention of making more, so it's simply for sake of knowing I'm on the right track by visual clues only.
SW Zam by silvermittt | Photobucket


(Before cutting the curve off the front part.)

(Put together for fitting.)