Pepakura: Alternatives to Fiberglass
- Thread starter cayman shen
- Start date
Weapioneer
Active Member
Ah, pardon me. I completely danced around the main question. Resin by itself is strong, but very brittle. If you were to make a helmet with, say the pepakura method, putting just resin on would not be very strong unless it was a very thick layer, or you could just use some thick absorbent cotton fabric in lieu of fiberglass cloth, though it would be weaker. What are you constructing the helm out off, before applying epoxy resin?
kry10
New Member
I am constructing it from card stock, 160gsm card.
This is the planned finished look - http://www.fxguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/09Apr/dwarf/Kryten.jpg
As you can see, not like an Iron Man helm or Halo, it is a flesh soft looking head piece, please don't suggest making it from latex as I have absolutely no experience with making a life cast and do not know anyone who would be able or willing to assist me with such a task, at least with card stock, I can do it all myself.
I was thinking of a layer of resin outside and one inside, and, if more are required, then, to add a few more layers, it is just that the head that I made previously is too rigid and has no give in it, so, is virtually impossible to wear.
This is the planned finished look - http://www.fxguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/09Apr/dwarf/Kryten.jpg
As you can see, not like an Iron Man helm or Halo, it is a flesh soft looking head piece, please don't suggest making it from latex as I have absolutely no experience with making a life cast and do not know anyone who would be able or willing to assist me with such a task, at least with card stock, I can do it all myself.
I was thinking of a layer of resin outside and one inside, and, if more are required, then, to add a few more layers, it is just that the head that I made previously is too rigid and has no give in it, so, is virtually impossible to wear.
Weapioneer
Active Member
I am in your situation regarding life casting, and I mentioned latex to be used to make things like wrinkles or protrusions of the face to be stuck onto a mask. For some reason, the mask i pictured was more of a wrinkly structure than the pictured one.
Anyway, I think if you can make a mask from pepakura, and make it slightly larger than your head, you might be able to fit your head inside it. Ofcourse, it may make you look like a bobble head, but other than that, I see no method to use epoxy resin to make a tightly fitting mask, other than to make it in 2 parts, such as a face part and a back of the head part with the seam running vertically just in front of the ears.
Anyway, I think if you can make a mask from pepakura, and make it slightly larger than your head, you might be able to fit your head inside it. Ofcourse, it may make you look like a bobble head, but other than that, I see no method to use epoxy resin to make a tightly fitting mask, other than to make it in 2 parts, such as a face part and a back of the head part with the seam running vertically just in front of the ears.
kry10
New Member
My plan was as you mentioned, to have the back plate section hinged to the top of the head, so, after placing my head inside, it would close and fasten with magnets inlaid in foam that was hot glue'd the interior, I could pad the inside with foam to make it fit snug and it would be very comfortable.
I just don't fancy the thought of using fibreglass and sticking my head/face into something that could be potentially harmful to me, at least with the body, pants and shoulder pads, they will be on top of a pvc type costume, so, not in direct contact with my body.
I just don't fancy the thought of using fibreglass and sticking my head/face into something that could be potentially harmful to me, at least with the body, pants and shoulder pads, they will be on top of a pvc type costume, so, not in direct contact with my body.
Hi, I read alll the thread but i don't find a good alternative to resin. I need because in my country in winter there are almost 10° C and the resin can't harder at this temperature. I don't want to use foam because I will not wear the helmet and because I think foam is less detailed..
And another question, what kind of bondo body filler I must use?Can I have a picture?In Italy is difficult to find this product in a normal store so I must understand what kind of product is before to buy.
Thanks
And another question, what kind of bondo body filler I must use?Can I have a picture?In Italy is difficult to find this product in a normal store so I must understand what kind of product is before to buy.
Thanks
PixelFlames
New Member
What if you pour superglue onto the small details and stick cardboard inside to add structure?
Alain Marquis
Member
I never did try a cardstock helmet before. I should consider it at some point I think. But I've been using eva foam a lot and this time around for my Red Hood helmet i modge podge the exterior. I used a whole bottle and then i actually used silicone caulking ( doors and windows ) used the whole thing for my helmet. Turned out as heavy as a motorcycle bike helmet. This method worked great for flexibility. I can put my helmet on and off without being scared of making the thing crack
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Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
wickedpaul
New Member
I just read the whole thread and it's quite interesting. I'm looking for fiberglass alternatives but mostly for budget reasons... So in my case I think I found what I needed and I thought it would be a good idea to share what I've found.
I was not trying to get away from fiberglass so with that in mind I was looking around for substitute or cheaper solutions. What I found can probably be reproduced in other countries (I'm in Canada).
Here the fiberglass cloth is roughly 12-14$ for 8 square feet and the mat is 10$ for the same area. Last weekend I found fiberglass tape in the paint section of my local hardware store. For 6$ I was getting enough to cover 25 square feet!!! Plus that type of tape has an adhesive layer to help with the application!
Googling fibatape or "drywall fiberglass tape" will show you what I'm talking about. Another option would have been windows fiberglass screen but it feels weaker than the tape and it costs more.
I'm using that tape and a roll of weed barrier cloth I found at the dollar store, the weed barrier is fabric not plastic and is very thin. I did some tests on corrugated cardboard and 3 layers (2 layer of weed barrier and 1 layer of tape) is enough to be very solid. In the end I get what I was looking for, strong yet cheap.
I was not trying to get away from fiberglass so with that in mind I was looking around for substitute or cheaper solutions. What I found can probably be reproduced in other countries (I'm in Canada).
Here the fiberglass cloth is roughly 12-14$ for 8 square feet and the mat is 10$ for the same area. Last weekend I found fiberglass tape in the paint section of my local hardware store. For 6$ I was getting enough to cover 25 square feet!!! Plus that type of tape has an adhesive layer to help with the application!
Googling fibatape or "drywall fiberglass tape" will show you what I'm talking about. Another option would have been windows fiberglass screen but it feels weaker than the tape and it costs more.
I'm using that tape and a roll of weed barrier cloth I found at the dollar store, the weed barrier is fabric not plastic and is very thin. I did some tests on corrugated cardboard and 3 layers (2 layer of weed barrier and 1 layer of tape) is enough to be very solid. In the end I get what I was looking for, strong yet cheap.
ThatGuitarist
New Member
Hi, I'm a complete noob to pepakura. I'm currently building a ANH Stormtrooper helmet, which seems to be going well. Unfortunately, I don't have the first clue about using fibreglass or the funds for it either. Is there any alternative to strengthen it so that I can actually wear it?
Weapioneer
Active Member
Have you tried using hot glue? I have used it before for casting, albeit not for helms, but I am certain you might be able to manage using it. You could also try paper mache, as some people manage to work wonders using just that.
ThatGuitarist
New Member
So just coat the whole thing in hot glue?
I thought about using paper mache but would that stand up to actually wearing it?
Weapioneer
Active Member
Try searching online for tutorials about it, they would have more detail. I think I once read about a person who had made armour out of hot glue, by using it in thick layers. I have a theory that you may be able to do the same by using hotglue brushed onto cloth, but I haven't tried this yet so I can't vouch for it.
Paper mache is typically a pretty basic medium, but can become rather powerful if used properly. I have seen really good props made using just paper mache, so you could try mixing different materials and give it a shot. Just plain paper mache made using newspaper, pva and water isn't very strong, and can get heavy in thick layers, but paper mache is all about exploring different materials in order to find a good recipe. You could also brush hot glue onto the interior of the helmet for additional strength.
Paper mache is typically a pretty basic medium, but can become rather powerful if used properly. I have seen really good props made using just paper mache, so you could try mixing different materials and give it a shot. Just plain paper mache made using newspaper, pva and water isn't very strong, and can get heavy in thick layers, but paper mache is all about exploring different materials in order to find a good recipe. You could also brush hot glue onto the interior of the helmet for additional strength.
E60flip345
Well-Known Member
Hey,
could i use wood filler to harden and smoothen my helmet? ive seen some people use it on some pep helmets before.
could i use wood filler to harden and smoothen my helmet? ive seen some people use it on some pep helmets before.
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