A new project

[T.F.U.]

As getting the mask for the Federation trooper helmet is as easy as finding hens teeth i have decided to have a go myself. I have made up my master in clay over a curved former which approximates the profile of the climbing helmet im using for the skull;
I have photo'd the mask with and without the tea strainer respirator. I havent done any serious sculpting for at least thirty years but i think its about right.
I intend to photo the entire process so watch this space for updates.

[T.F.U.]

Just waiting on the arrival of my silicon rubber and the visor has dried out well so far

[JudgeMinty]

VERY INTERESTED IN THIS.

I'm also going to try and have a go at doing this, do you mind if I join your thread? If not let me know, and I'll start another one.

For instance, I've been looking at donor helmets. I was looking at vintage ones, having owned a few in the past and to be honest I don't like the idea of damaging one.

So, I've bought on of these from ebay hoping it might be a good substitute. One obvious advantage is that they're likely to be more comfortable and less smelly It looks like it might come down too far at the back and sides, so I'm also looking a vintage climbing helmets, if it isn't easy to cut down.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-S...ht_3774wt_1084


I've created a line work drawing to help me understand the shape of the face plate and also printed it out at various sizes to see which looks right, before trying to build it.

[T.F.U.]

The more the merrier mate. the helmet ive used is an old climbing helmet i got off ebay but that one looks fairly good and i love the template youve created im afraid mine is hand drawn on cardboard and not nearly as hi tech

[Ham Salad]

the ranks of the federation march on! Who is gonna do travis?

[JudgeMinty]

That helmet ended up being out of stock. So I've got a refund.

I suppose what I'm looking for is something like this?

[T.F.U.]

Thats exactly what i intend to use - i got a second hand one off ebay for a tenner and sprayed it matt black

[JudgeMinty]

Any ideas on the width of the head band, or where to purchase the textured/embosed plastic for the outer ring yet

Can I ask where you bought your tea strainer?

I think the key to costumes like this, is constancy. Like with Stormtroopers they look even better on mass, with people in nearly identical costumes.

[T.F.U.]

I got my teas strainer online - i think from ebay because it had a wide steel rim and im going for the Provine officer type look. I dont know if we can get the textured plastic for the outer rim but pehaps sandin the inside of plain plastic sheet might produce a similar effect. i havent looked at the circumference for the rings yet but im thinking a wooden former to heat form the rim is in order.

[JudgeMinty]

What is the diameter of your tea strainer?

Well that's a question I never thought I'd ask.

[T.F.U.]

And thats a question i thought i'd never be asked lol. the diameter is approximately 7 cm for the smaller one. the other is 7.5 cm but that is mainly owing to a thicker flange around the tea strainer. I intend to use the larger flange for an officers mask (figuring the officer corps would have better gear).

[JudgeMinty]

Looking at sizing and scale.

The outputs are in increments of 5%






I've gone for 'D' and used it to chop up a bin to give me a mechanically accurate curve for my template.

[T.F.U.]

nice work - ive now got to the messy silicon and plaster bandage stage

[JudgeMinty]

I envy you, I think I'm a looong way from that stage.

I have no reall skill for sculpting, so I'm hoping to build the skeleton of my 'sculpt' from found objects which have been machine made and therefore are already symmetrical or have even curves etc. I will then carve, build up and fill to suit.



It's still very early stages, but the shapes are beginning to be more recognisable.

[T.F.U.]

we are off and hols and then we we will see

[JudgeMinty]

Tiny bit of progress. The snout it just tacked on a the moment.

[T.F.U.]

Looking good Minty i've just attached the mask to my helmet and will put up piccies this evening. Had much fun casting with silicon and then resin.

[Ham Salad]

Originally Posted by JudgeMinty

That helmet ended up being out of stock. So I've got a refund.

I suppose what I'm looking for is something like this?

What is this called, if you were doing an ebay search?

[T.F.U.]

a climbing helmet is what i searched on.

[T.F.U.]

I made a silicon mould and reinforced it with plaster bandage, then slush cast it and hot glued it onto the helmet and added the tinted lenses.