Lining Stormtrooper buckets...

[mr_pablo]

I recently purchased a set of black (yes, black) FX stormtrooper armour.

the build has gone brilliantly, but im stuck on how i should line my helmet. The biggest snag being that i have dreadlocks, so i cant snugly fit into the hardhat liner, and ive heard lots of people throw this bit out anyway, in favour of other options.

can any fellow troopers give me the lowdown on how they have lined their lids? i thinkim correct in saying foam is the way to go, but how would i set about doing so? what foam works well? how do i attach it to the inside of my lid? will it be permanent? etc etc

any insight is welcome, and some photos would be more then appreciated.

thanks in advance

Pablo

 

[MarkG]

Pablo,

Cushion / furniture foam works very well as it's reasonably soft, so won't irritate.

You'll probably need 4 strips, one each front & back and 2 either side to stop wobble...

Can usually be bought as a 12"x12" block, so plenty for spare...

Leaving a few gaps helps ventilation too..

Hot glue is the best way to secure it IMHO.. and is easily removed if need be..

HTH.

 

[shado pilot]

I used a US Army CVC tankers helmet. I removed the electronics and fit it in my fullsize TIE fighter helmet. Works great. You can find them at auction for about $20-$50. Some guys use a construction workers hard hat and cut a circle in the top leaving the adjustable headband.

 

[Gatekeeper]

<div class='quotetop'>(SHADO PILOT @ Nov 19 2006, 01:35 AM) [snapback]1360848[/snapback]</div>

I used a US Army CVC tankers helmet. I removed the electronics and fit it in my fullsize TIE fighter helmet. Works great. You can find them at auction for about $20-$50. Some guys use a construction workers hard hat and cut a circle in the top leaving the adjustable headband.
[/b]

Did you use the entire helmet, or just the soft liner parts? I'm looking for a good solution for my TIE bucket too... some pics would be great.

Welcome to the board, btw.

 

[Lear60man]

This is how my TE is lined

 

[Darth_Nickel]

I like the look.

Can you point out the functions? Or is it for just display?

Where did you get the air liner? It looks like a Riddell?

 

[shado pilot]

Hers a CVC helmet .

Electronics removed and painted black.

Installed in TIE helmet. It fits nicely but I want to add a velcro strip inside so it doesnt shift.

My helmet is screen size so if you have a smaller one like a Rubies I don't think the CVC will fit.

 

[Lear60man]

Darth Nikel,
yes its a ridell air helmet and various greeblies I found in the shop. it has t fans and vox unit built in with aerator speakers.

 

[Darth_Nickel]

<div class='quotetop'>(Lear60man @ Nov 19 2006, 05:35 PM) [snapback]1361405[/snapback]</div>

Darth Nikel,
yes its a ridell air helmet and various greeblies I found in the shop. it has t fans and vox unit built in with aerator speakers.
[/b]

Very nice. I like how it turned out.

What did you use as the light blue background liner? It looks like there is something there or is that just paint? What parts actually are holding the wires and where are the fans located ( I can't see them). I see the mic in the middle.

I want to do something similar with my bucket, but I'm looking for black liner, and the squirrel fans (for the eyes)

 

[mr_pablo]

Shado, will that cvc tanker helmet fit inside a normal FX stormtrooper helmet?

i think i might have to go with foam though, as i said, i hav dreadlocks, and its like having a liner permanently strapped to my noggin =P

 

[shado pilot]

<div class='quotetop'>(Lord Pablo @ Nov 19 2006, 08:36 PM) [snapback]1361531[/snapback]</div>

Shado, will that cvc tanker helmet fit inside a normal FX stormtrooper helmet?

i think i might have to go with foam though, as i said, i hav dreadlocks, and its like having a liner permanently strapped to my noggin =P
[/b]

I honestly dont know if it will fit a Stormtrooper helmet Lord Pablo.

 

[CGClone]

Lear, that is nice, love the work inside the helmet, Sells it even more.

 

[Darth Lars]

The helmet interior seen in the Visual Dictionary appears to have lining from an ice-hockey helmet, and I have seen some people have used that to line their wearable helmets.

I like the look of what a Fargazer has done with cheap foam to line is Fett helmet. Some of the interior greeblies were actually cut from foam. There is also spaces between the foam blocks to let air through.

However, if you use foam where the surface is not sealed, I think you should cover it with leather (or similiar) or the foam could get all mushy with sweat.

(Edit: Changed the link to Fargazer's thread on \emph{this} forum. I just saw it on TDH first...)

 

[jdboushh]

I just use foam in my tk bucket. I use sticky back velcro in the bucket and on the foam. Then when it gets a little nasty I just put new ones in. The other thing I like is if you change your hair style---shorter, fuller etc. you can easily adjust to fit. Some people say it is hot but I do have the head liner in one of my helmets and when I get sweaty it starts slipping so then you have to tighten it until it is uncomfortable. Just my 2 cents worth.

Jdboushh

 

[freakengine]

I used industrial velcro to attach sections of foam in a variety of sizes and thicknesses to achieve a custom fit. It doesn't look all that pretty but it works very well. I own a real NFL helmet, and would love to emulate that system at some point.

Here's a pic:

 

[Snake]

Like Freakengine I just used the foam with velcro. This allows you to replace the foam after several uses. If you sweat like I do you may change it out more often. :lol

 

[Jumpin Jax]

Stuck in a kickboxing headpiece. It grips the head and makes the helmet fit like a glove. No slipping or spinning, just the padding and tape

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I recently acquired a CA Don Post TIE helmet. It is in great shape but the foam inside is probably 15 years old and is crumbling so I need to replace it.

Instead of replacing it with foam I was looking for some other ideas.

I saw shado pilot above use the CVC helmet, so I was wondering if something like this one would work: UKARMS Airsoft Tactical KEVLAR PASGT SWAT Helmet w/ Chin Strap IU-A07 Black | eBay

I also have seen an ebay seller "Felix Props" sell TIE helmet liners. However, with shipping, they tend to get pricey.

Comments? Suggestions?

 

[Riceball]

Another thing to consider are the foam pads used in the US Army MICH/ACH type helmets, you can generally find a set of these on eBay for a decent price (I think around $20 or so). Each kit will give you several different foam pads that you put pretty much wherever you want with one for the top of your head and then several to go around it. I've never used them outside of a replica airsoft MICH helmet but they worked pretty well and didn't shift any and were pretty comfortable but to be honest I can't say how they well they'd work without a chin strap.

 

[widescreen]

Pablo,

Cushion / furniture foam works very well as it's reasonably soft, so won't irritate.

You'll probably need 4 strips, one each front & back and 2 either side to stop wobble...

Can usually be bought as a 12"x12" block, so plenty for spare...

Leaving a few gaps helps ventilation too..

Hot glue is the best way to secure it IMHO.. and is easily removed if need be..

HTH.

MarkG is your man.

"He knows his onions".

Are you wearing a balaclava? - Another recommendation - the same as motorbikers wear.