Ibnzbass4
Active Member
I know this is a topic that has been discussed on and off for the past 2 years, but as there is a new crop of pepakura builders out there, I am curious if anyone would be willing to share their two cents on this topic again. I have a pepped helmet that I am getting ready (finally) to solidify. I have the resin and fiberglass cloth out in the garage, and the smooth-on facility is right down the road from me. Therefore, both options are readily available. So putting cost aside, I am trying to decide which method to try first. On the one hand, the resin and glassing method has been well tested. But I am curious about using the smooth-on as discussed by Xrobots. Granted I am not using foam (so the PVA step is both unnecessary, and could cause problems with the card stock build since it is water based) but I have been considering painting on 3 or 4 layers of either Smooth Cast 65D or Smooth Cast 305 on the outside, and then basically slush/roto casting with more on the inside. I plan on picking up the smooth cast anyway as I am partially building a piece of shoulder armor with foam. I know Xrobots recommends resin for large cardstock pieces and smooth cast for foam, but how about for a cardstock helmet?
I have seen some discussion about this both here and on the 405th, but most of it was theoretical. I am wondering if anyone has actually used the smooth cast method for a cradstock helmet, or perhaps has done both and can discuss it more. I did not want to hijack Xrobots' thread so I am posting here.
For the record (in case it is relevant to the topic) I am building a Dredd helmet (courtesy of Dung0beetle) which I plan to wear for costuming, but will not be making into a mold or otherwise producing in bulk.
I have seen some discussion about this both here and on the 405th, but most of it was theoretical. I am wondering if anyone has actually used the smooth cast method for a cradstock helmet, or perhaps has done both and can discuss it more. I did not want to hijack Xrobots' thread so I am posting here.
For the record (in case it is relevant to the topic) I am building a Dredd helmet (courtesy of Dung0beetle) which I plan to wear for costuming, but will not be making into a mold or otherwise producing in bulk.