Hello,
OUCH... I didn't think it was that bad
I can answer your question, I made it. I've been a lurker here for years, and just recently joined, so it looks like this is my official welcome to the RPF board. I have owned several types of helmets over the years from the standard FX/GT, and RT Mod, Don Post, an unk fiberglass bucket, and at one time a GF. I can also answer NO, I do not recast them, and feel that recasting is in fact a form of theft that I would not wish to be a victim of. About a year and a half ago I purchased a plaster TK face mold from a Chicago area antique / resale / collectibles store owner that co-sponsors a local toy/collectible shows. He had purchased a large lot of Star Trek prop items including resin kits and various RTV molds from a contact in California. The mold was in rather poor condition and upon comparing it to the helmets I had at the time, it most resembled the face from my Don Post Classic Action Tie pilot. Not knowing the origin of the mold and fearing the lable "recaster" (as is common to noobs on various prop and costume boards), I used the mold to make two .125 ABS pulls over each other then backfilled the second with ultracal. I did my best to clean up and refine the details on the now larger and resculpted face plate. The dome was a cutdown heavily modified and bondo'd baseball helmet that was vac'd and again back filled (I also use a .125 shell with the indents cut out for detail and better release). The back was a piece of MDF supported cardboard sonitube, with plaster filled flexible Home Depot vinyl tubing added, then vac'd over and back filled. The ear caps are straight up laminated MDF. I had the choice of FX, Don Post CA Storm, or RT Mod to use as size reference, so I went with the most accurate of the choices, the RT. I will absolutely admit that I spent as much time and effort as I could measuring and tweaking as much detail as I could to replicate the RT Mod, but did not recast. The decals were Hand drawn, also using the RT for reference, and produced by a local sign shop. The molds are actually much better than the finished product, but my home built vac table is the problem.
Shabad, I was not aware your friend was displeased with the helmet, I would've hoped he'd contacted me about it.
Most of the helmets I've made have gone to friends, family or donated to various local charity auctions not E-bay. This helmet was displayed in my son's room and I had listed it only after I made him a new ABS one.
Forgive the extensive post, and I don't intend to sound upset, I'm just a bit disappointed after spending months trying to make a decent replica. I have seen these things get ugly and wanted those reading to understand that after years of lurking, I am on board with the gentleman's rules to prop building. I'm sure, as a noob, I'll be forced to scan the construction pics for documented evidence :unsure .
In closing, Even if I were able to make a perfect SDS or screen used recast, I'd still be more proud of my "monstrously hideous" "Soft-serve" helmet because it was made with honest hands and intentions.
Thank you for your time and God bless.
