Making helmet stands out of paper towel holders

[Darth Kahnt]

I recently got the idea to make my helmet stands out of paper towel holders, based on input from various RPF members.

I was wondering if some members could please post some pics of how they cut/sculpted the styrofoam/other materials at the top of the paper towel holder to fit their respective helmets. Also, any other relavent info and help on making these helmet stands would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Photos are quick and dirty, so yes I know there is dust on my Rubies helmet.

Here is what I did for a quick, cheap stand.

First, Bed, Bath, and Beyond paper towel holder for $12.00 (they also come in a silver color)
[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/hstand001.jpg[/image]

Next, I went to a wig shop and bought a styrofoam head for about $3.00 (I need to paint it black or wrap it in black duct-tape)
[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/hstand002.jpg[/image]

Last, I added the helmet to the $15.00 stand.
[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/hstand003.jpg[/image]

Hope that helps .

 

[Lord Abaddon]

That's basically what I did, but I bought a stand at WalMart that has a chrome base over black painted wood and with a wood dowel. Then I got these awesome male styrofoam heads from a militaria seller on eBay to put on the dowel rod. Worked out great.

 

[Sporak]

:lol
James, I thought that was a Vader helmet in the background till the shot of the real one appeared...it made me see it was a Pez.

 

[ob1al]

I use chrome paper towel holders with no mods except to add a little square of foam to the tip on each for the helmet to rest on:

[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/trooper48wi.jpg[/image]

Cheers

Al

 

[The Mantis]

Totally unmodified chrome ones from Bed Bath and Beyond...shorter versions come out great....

[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/b15.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/b16.jpg[/image]

 

[Darth Kahnt]

Originally posted by Sporak@Jan 13 2006, 04:18 AM
:lol
James, I thought that was a Vader helmet in the background till the shot of the real one appeared...it made me see it was a Pez.

[snapback]1157769[/snapback]​

LOL. I thought the same thing.

Good idea with the styrofoam heads. I think that's the route I will go.

As always, thanks to all for your quick and informative responses. Keep other suggestions coming if you have them.

 

[vaderdarth]

Bed Bath and Beyond has about 8 different paper towel holders here locally, so you should be successful finding one that has a base you like. One I saw even resembles the MR one.

Dave

 

[Clutch]

I have no need of styrofoam heads. My papertowel holders have some type of ball at the top and the foam in the top of the helmet is enough to keep it on solidly enough.

 

[Darth Kahnt]

Originally posted by clutch@Jan 13 2006, 11:49 AM
I have no need of styrofoam heads.  My papertowel holders have some type of ball at the top and the foam in the top of the helmet is enough to keep it on solidly enough.

[snapback]1157965[/snapback]​

My concern is that without a ball on the top of the stand that the slightest hint of vibration or movement may cause the helmet to fall off the stand; as the top of a 'typical' paper towel holder is not very large and may not be the best balancing point.

This is especially true for my Vader helmet, which has very little or no padding at the top of the helmet.

 

[Jimbo890]

I bought those $4 wooden paper towel holders from Walmart. Painted them with a primer coat, then a semi-flat black top coat. For some helmets, I used the round top that came with the holder, and for others I used a piece of 3" PVC endcap, with a hole drilled in the center and screwed right on the exisisting bolt that extends from the center rod. It sort of depended on what helmet, as to how I did it. Also, instead of foam, I used some of those no-skid disks that you put on the bottom of chairs and tables. This really helps hold a good position. As a final touch, I made a small sign in Photoshop, then laminated it to the base.

I like a low profile version, not one that makes he helmet stand too high up. But thats just me.

I'll get some pics taken one of these days.

 

[Scapey]

I've been using a combination of different holders - Missed out on metal ones, so the ones I have most of now are cheap=ass Asda/Walmart ones consisting of a plastic base, and a plastic tube, with a small rubberry topcap.
Very cheap, very nasty - But can be cut to the right height.
One thing I DID find was that my DP TIE pilot developed a small lump at the crown of the head, where the stand sat. The weight of the helmet was enough to push the stand into the vinyl.
So I've taken to wrapping layers of gaffa tape and bubblewrap round, to form a ball at the top. Seems to work OK, if looking a little messy. But who sees it?

I still wanna upgrade to metal someday.

 

[Darth Kahnt]

I am marking this thread to be archived so that it doenst fall off.

 

[temponaut]

Cross-posted from the Costuming Forum:

Couldn't get the Wal-Mart site to load, but here are direct links to the paper towel holders (excuse me, helmet stands ) of some other favorite suppliers:

Allied Brass

Bed Bath & Beyond

KitchenKapers

Linens N Things

Target

Today's Acrylic Mfg. Corp.

If anybody has any other links, please post them. :love

 

[temponaut]

There's some good information, including a tutorial by yakcam, in the Helmet Stand thread in the Costuming Forum.

How do we merge these two into a single, archived thread?

Here's a link to the other thread:

Helmet Stands

 

[kurtyboy]

For those of us in the UK, try Big W. They had plain chrome stands for £2.99 a few years ago.

Woolworths should have them too:
http://www.woolworths.co.uk/ww_p2/product/...ml?pid=50534229

 

[yakcam]

Ooooohh, I got an hounourable mention, thanks temponaut

It would be a good idea to merge threads though and maybe stick or even beter put it into the archives, but still able to be added to as I've seen this topic come up a few times and there's bound to be some better ideas for stands in the future.

Cheers,

Kraig

 

[Jimbo890]

Here are some rough shots of what I use:

[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/5.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/archive/helmet_stands/7.jpg[/image]

Walmart

$4

And some paint. The top piece has one of those rubber non skid discs on it.

 

[yodaman]

Archived