Daft Punk Guy Helmet: Final p.16, TRON p.20

Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

So, if it was 17 months ago and you had the knowledge you have now, what sort of changes in technique would we have seen?

Oof. That is a hefty list of lessons learned. In order of the process itself, here's some tips for whoever tries to copy this build:

  • Start with a lifecast or a head form to get the helmet size correct. I got lucky, but in retrospect, that idea with the cardboard profiles would have worked much better if I had a head (not my own!) to scale them to.
  • The clay/foam thing wasn't a bad idea, and I might even do it again for building up mass. Using apoxie sculpt so early was kind of dumb though.
  • Spend less time finessing little imperfections when the general shape isn't correct yet. I had a lot of work which eventually got buried under more bondo, making it ultimately pointless.
  • Make a mounting rig for leaving things to dry. Balancing a sculpt on a roll of tape is stupid.
  • Krylon Ruddy Brown primer CAN be wetsanded - Krylon Dull Gray CAN NOT!
  • Waxing the sculpt seemed to make pulling casts much easier. I used turtle wax (automotive)
  • Make the vacuumform buck out of something that cant melt - like plaster. A hollow, resin buck won't hold its shape for long.
  • Don't wax a vac-form buck that will be pulling clear visors. The wax transfers to the plastic and clouds it.
  • When chroming, ask the platers to use their own primer. It works better with the paint. Make sure to tell them NOT to oven-dry it, unless you use polyester resin and glass fibers. Urethane resin will melt.
  • Test boards before installing components.
  • Molex plugs don't make things easier if you're using 24ga wire. You're just wasting money - solder them directly to the boards.
  • Test boards before installing components, dammit.
  • 3M Weatherstrip adhesive could fasten an egg yolk to a sheet of glass. Use it outside, because its horribly toxic. DON'T put the damn helmet on until it cures completely.


...thats all I can think of for right now. If I come up with more, I'll be sure to toss them out here.
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

First pic I have found of your client, to bad it seems like hes always grouped with those other Daft costumers.

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Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

volpin, you must be soooo glad its over at last, it was a long slog but you did it, very authentic looking.

-z
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

Oof. That is a hefty list of lessons learned. In order of the process itself, here's some tips for whoever tries to copy this build:

(((Awesome List!)))


...thats all I can think of for right now. If I come up with more, I'll be sure to toss them out here.

Wow! Thanks for all of that! There are a few things in that list that I would have never tried/guessed (Turtle Wax...who knew?). I'm sure I'll be coming back to that list for some of my future projects.

Thanks again.

-Nick
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

Little bump for some daft-related progress.

Glove parts came in Monday. Did a quick mock up on my junk gloves (new ones coming soon!) and they look great. This is .060 vac-formed styrene, for those who need a refresher.

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Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

those came out really well!
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

did you finish them (sand or prime) before sending them to the platers or were the pulls that smooth?

Tommy
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

did you finish them (sand or prime) before sending them to the platers or were the pulls that smooth?

Tommy

The platers didn't have to do any finishing to them, and neither did I - thats the raw styrene pull without any further sanding/priming/finishing. I'm pretty happy with my E-Z-Bake vacuum-former!
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

I really like how you incorporated the drawer rails into your vac table. very nice machine you have there!
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

Those glove pieces look fantastic. Can I shake your hand? Haha.

While this thread is freshly bumped, here are some more pics I found of your client at comic-con.

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daftfamilyportrait.jpg
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

Incredible, speechless, amazing.
Just a few things that jump into my mind after looking at this whole thread.

you sir have mad skills.
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

Makes the woman's bucket look like a cheap toy replica!
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

Sorry I'm coming into this thread so late but my coworker actually designed and built the electronics in the original helmets. He's been asked about making extremely expensive replicas for sale but I'm not sure if that'll ever get off the ground.

Nice work on the replica!
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

I am a new member and wanted to give you a standing ovation!!!! Bravo!
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

I caught this thread while looking for something else. I don't have any idea who Daft Punk is but your helmet is absolutely beautiful. Great work!

:thumbsup
 
Re: Daft Punk Helmet Build - FINISHED! p.16 for pics & vid

I just joined the board and found this thread. I'm a huge Daft Punk fan and this is some really beautiful work. Very cool of you to show the progress. Spent an hour just reading your process posts. Awesome finished product!
 
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