Coming soon...Pyre Vader :) New vac-formed Vader helms

[Jumpin Jax]

After too much time, I finally finished my cannon fodder Vader mask. As mentioned in my "cheap" costume thread, it's a casting of the loved/hated Rubies helm, modified for vacuum forming and slated for destruction. I call this a "prop" thread as it's got more uses as a static unworn item(cheap display).

These are perfect for fanfilms, and that was the idea from day one. Far cheaper than doing it in fiberglass(no silicone, packing, glass, fiber, etc) and priced to blow sky high , cost-wise that is. Cut in half for reveal Vaders, half melted for visual effect, or a bad*** trooping bucket, sky's the limit.

A new WIP, but not a long one:thumbsup The dome will be the tricky part....

 

[RoCKo]

nice project, JJ!
depending on final price this might be a great alternative for Halloween or other cheaper costumes...

curious to see the finished helmet...

 

[Too Much Garlic]

What is the material you are vac-forming these in and is it textured on both sides?

 

[tubachris85x]

I'd assume it'd have to be thick HIPs for the level of sharp detail you need...

Oh and also, the bars in the "mouth" should be trimmed down further as well

 

[micdavis]

Nice job man. I wouldn't mind having a knock around Vader helmet.

 

[Tan Djarka]

The dome will be the tricky part....

Bear with me, as I know little about vac-forming. If you haven't thought of it yet, maybe the dome can be done in three pieces? The two sides with the center joint concealed under the stripe/mohawk/whatever (the third piece). Just a thought.

 

[SonOfPumpkinhead]

You should just be able to brush a release into the dome you have (or borrow) and brush in several layers of stone past the edge of the helmet. Make it nice and thick, and add several layers of stone soaked burlap. Let it cure, pop it out, sand it smooth and you'll have a perfect vacuu forming buck! It's flaired and smooth and should be the perfect piece to vacuu form.

 

[Jumpin Jax]

Actually, it's not textured at all, it's .06 styrene and it stretched a bit more than expected :lol But with thicker stock that shouldn't happen again.
I like the multi-part dome idea, mostly as an earlier attempt to form a whole dome was....less than successful due to its size. I'll give that a try, thanks.
JJ

 

[Jumpin Jax]

I'll haul one around at Emerald City tomorrow, see how much interest there is and order some material.
Bonus: Anyone that gets one of these from me......wait for it.....can cast it up all they like.
Yup, don't care. Go nuts.
JJ

 

[tango'd fett]

Thats not to bad at all actually , great alternative to the higher priced lids and with a coat of paint it would look real nice .

 

[TK-Fett]

sounds like the kind of thing I will be interested in

 

[irishamericanlad]

that is pretty cool