blennus
Member
Recently I bit the bullet and followed through on my urge to make a Boba Fett helmet... I'm happy enough with it overall (for a first go at a helmet anyway).
The main material used was cardboard packing boxes (we have a number of them around from some furniture and such) and cereal boxes (for the dome). The rear vent I ended up cutting out of some craft cardboard my wife bought for decorations for our 10yo's birthday (freehand Minecraft swords is what she made).
So obviously for most people the next step seems to be applying resin and fiberglass to the inside then Bondoing the outside.
I hate to be difficult but I don't want to use fiberglass as we have four children in total and I don't want any chance of my little hobby causing any issues with their health (or mine I guess).
Similar issue with the resin which I understand is quite hazardous (certainly in regards to fumes).
I don't think I will have an issue with strengthening the inside as the cardboard I've used seems quite sturdy so far, but I'm wondering what the best material is to coat the outside and make it a more "solid" helmet.
I'm open to using papier mache but (as far as I know) all examples of papier mache modeling I've seen have ended up with a rough looking finished product, is this simply that whoever was making it didn't sand it enough to give a nice smooth finish or is it simply not possible with papier mache?
The local hardware store stocks a number of fillers/puttys (including metal/car body style fillers). I'm wondering if the wood fillers are a safer option?
One I am considering is http://www.timbermate.com.au/products/Timbermate+WaterBased+Wood+Filler.aspx
This one http://www.selleys.com.au/putty/epoxy/knead-it-multi-purpose/
https://www.masters.com.au/product/900025773/selleys-no-more-cracks-wood-filler-580g
https://www.masters.com.au/product/100872623/prep-water-based-wood-filler-hardwood-550g
My ideal option would be one that is low/non toxic and reasonably cheap
The helmet isn't intended to be worn to Con's or anything, it will mostly be a display piece so durability isn't the most critical... I just want to give it a nice realistic finish.
Also, how much am I likely to need to buy? 500ml, 1l (sorry I'm in Metric Australia).
Thanks everyone for your help... love this forum and it's people!
(I hesitate to say who's pep file it came from, partly because I don't recall... I think Windoffire or something like that... but mostly because I don't want their fine work brought into disrepute from what I did with their files... I actually got the PDF of the files not the original pep file... I believe/if I recall correctly it was a link from the DentedHelmet)
There are a few things left to finish/put on... but the overall form is there and I figure I can probably start looking at coating it. Any help greatly appreciated!
The main material used was cardboard packing boxes (we have a number of them around from some furniture and such) and cereal boxes (for the dome). The rear vent I ended up cutting out of some craft cardboard my wife bought for decorations for our 10yo's birthday (freehand Minecraft swords is what she made).
So obviously for most people the next step seems to be applying resin and fiberglass to the inside then Bondoing the outside.
I hate to be difficult but I don't want to use fiberglass as we have four children in total and I don't want any chance of my little hobby causing any issues with their health (or mine I guess).
Similar issue with the resin which I understand is quite hazardous (certainly in regards to fumes).
I don't think I will have an issue with strengthening the inside as the cardboard I've used seems quite sturdy so far, but I'm wondering what the best material is to coat the outside and make it a more "solid" helmet.
I'm open to using papier mache but (as far as I know) all examples of papier mache modeling I've seen have ended up with a rough looking finished product, is this simply that whoever was making it didn't sand it enough to give a nice smooth finish or is it simply not possible with papier mache?
The local hardware store stocks a number of fillers/puttys (including metal/car body style fillers). I'm wondering if the wood fillers are a safer option?
One I am considering is http://www.timbermate.com.au/products/Timbermate+WaterBased+Wood+Filler.aspx
This one http://www.selleys.com.au/putty/epoxy/knead-it-multi-purpose/
https://www.masters.com.au/product/900025773/selleys-no-more-cracks-wood-filler-580g
https://www.masters.com.au/product/100872623/prep-water-based-wood-filler-hardwood-550g
My ideal option would be one that is low/non toxic and reasonably cheap
The helmet isn't intended to be worn to Con's or anything, it will mostly be a display piece so durability isn't the most critical... I just want to give it a nice realistic finish.
Also, how much am I likely to need to buy? 500ml, 1l (sorry I'm in Metric Australia).
Thanks everyone for your help... love this forum and it's people!
(I hesitate to say who's pep file it came from, partly because I don't recall... I think Windoffire or something like that... but mostly because I don't want their fine work brought into disrepute from what I did with their files
... I actually got the PDF of the files not the original pep file... I believe/if I recall correctly it was a link from the DentedHelmet)There are a few things left to finish/put on... but the overall form is there and I figure I can probably start looking at coating it. Any help greatly appreciated!
