Making a helmet from scratch

[smilinbob85]

I am not great at folding, but I am pretty good at fabrics carving and foam. Has anyone built a full size helmet with no paper? Just straight foam and carving? Then what would be your advice on primer and paint? I'm planning on making this fully wired and hosed (for a camel back with umbilical). I'm planning on starting this sometime this week... who knows how it will come out. HAHA

 

[locostorm]

I am not great at folding, but I am pretty good at fabrics carving and foam. Has anyone built a full size helmet with no paper? Just straight foam and carving? Then what would be your advice on primer and paint? I'm planning on making this fully wired and hosed (for a camel back with umbilical). I'm planning on starting this sometime this week... who knows how it will come out. HAHA

i have and it is a pain in the butt. the only way i was able to make it look good is by making it over a racing helmet then you don't need to buy a visor either. and if your using foam use plastidip. it is expensive but you don't need to prime it or anything you just need 2 or more coats.

 

[smilinbob85]

i have and it is a pain in the butt. the only way i was able to make it look good is by making it over a racing helmet then you don't need to buy a visor either. and if your using foam use plastidip. it is expensive but you don't need to prime it or anything you just need 2 or more coats.

Awesome thanks for the comment and advise. I was planning on using a custom visor. And maybe if it looked like I was going to have some problems an old football helmet. I might still go that way but wanted to try it non the less.

 

[locostorm]

No problem. If you need any help just pm me.

 

[Nim]

I don't think building it on top of another helmet is necessary. My first foam helmet build is still in progress, but I own and have friends who make plenty of foam helmets that stand on their own just fine.

 

[smilinbob85]

Thanks Nim, yeah I'm currently offshore but I have everything I need to get started at home. I was hoping someone had one or knows someone who does. Just to know it's possible haha

 

[Burt]

I am not great at folding, but I am pretty good at fabrics carving and foam. Has anyone built a full size helmet with no paper? Just straight foam and carving? Then what would be your advice on primer and paint? I'm planning on making this fully wired and hosed (for a camel back with umbilical). I'm planning on starting this sometime this week... who knows how it will come out. HAHA

Just trying to help out, but when you've attempted to make them from paper, have you tried scoring each line? That's how everyone here gets crisp folds. You take a ruler, and a pen and then trace the line. Use some force and create a small indention. That way, when you fold, its perfect and crisp.

Also, depending on where you live, have you looked into this Halo 4 Helmet? Its new and decent quality for the price. I ordered one and it just arrived today and it is pretty nice. I plan to repaint it and do some adjustments to it. But its a great starting point

 

[smilinbob85]

I haven't tried that. But I get lost on the lines. And since I have a tremendous amount of EVA foam, thick and thin, I was wanton to try that. Plus I found that with wires and hoses it's easier to carve the indentations that I needed inside and out. But thank you for that advice, never would have thought of that

 

[Nim]

Thanks Nim, yeah I'm currently offshore but I have everything I need to get started at home. I was hoping someone had one or knows someone who does. Just to know it's possible haha

Sure thing! Here's a picture of my current foam helmet.


Edit: posting from my phone seriously screwed up formatting..