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Post by faithfulbutler on May 5, 2005 18:58:06 GMT -5
I want to try something new and make some removable helmets for some of my 1:12 Customs.Never having attempted this i would love to know if anyone has any suggestions on the planning and executing of this.
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Post by faithfulbutler on May 7, 2005 0:36:09 GMT -5
Anyone at all?Please?
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Post by Wild Willy on May 7, 2005 9:58:53 GMT -5
The only "Removeable helmet" which I've done so far was for my Black Manta, but I beileve the same principals should apply for any type of helmet.
You basically need to do a 2-part mold, 1 of the outside & 1 of the inside.
For the ouitside: Mix whatever Rubber you like and pour into your container, then place your helmet UPSIDE-DOWN into the rubber and sink it right down to the rim's edge.( you can use masking tape across the container to keep the helmet from popping up.
Once that mold is completely cured Do-NOT remove the helmet. Spray the top of that mold with a RELEASE AGENT, making sure you get inside the helmet.
Extend the walls of your container so you can pour more rubber (Silicon type) inside the helmet & onto the first mold.
Take a skinny drinking straw (juice box type) cut to length and place right up to the BACK edge of the helmet and lay it down outward to the wall of your container. (This will act as a DRAIN as well as a TREE once cured.
When second mold is cured, seperate the 2 halves, and remove the straw.
Now you will have a 2 part mold complete with a drain.
*tip* to avoid mixing and wasting excess Resin, Pour water into your bottom mold, gently set top mold on and let the excess water run out. Then pour the water from the mold into a small dixi cup to see how mich Volume the mold requires.
Be sure to mark the 2 molds while they are together so you can aline them properly when casting.
Feel free to ask any questions on the subject.
Will
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Post by Wild Willy on May 7, 2005 10:00:14 GMT -5
Andy can you post a pic of the style of helmet which you plan to do?
Will
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Post by radioscooter on May 7, 2005 10:26:40 GMT -5
Be sure to mark the 2 molds while they are together so you can aline them properly when casting. That was a great tutorial on the 2 part mold technique. i will just add that when I do it - I suround it with modeling clay and use little objects, like glue sticks or pencils sticking out when molding so that the 2 parts always lock up later. Any shaped object will work, Just make sure you cast it as part of noth parts of the molds. -s
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Post by Wild Willy on May 7, 2005 10:51:50 GMT -5
Excellent suggestion Scot. On the one I made i used a black marker to draw some lines across the 2 halves so I can align them but the marker keeps wearing off. Your suggestion would have solved that problem. * Tip* before breaking off the "Drain / tree" from your helmet, it can serve as a handle for piming and painting. Will
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Post by faithfulbutler on May 8, 2005 19:26:43 GMT -5
Thanks Will that's excellent.It was actually for a Commission piece i have to do of a Marvel Ant-Man.I've actually overcome it by giving him interchangeable heads to save time and the Client is happy with that.
I do however have some removeable Helmet figs i have planned for the future so i think i'll put your concept into effect.Thanks so much.
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Post by Wild Willy on May 8, 2005 23:32:26 GMT -5
Glad to help out Andy, thats the whole idea of this site, to help fellow customisers sort out their problems. Now pay me $500.00 ;D
On a "Serious" note, I think you should go ahead with the Antman helmet anyway, i'm sure poeple will buy them.
Will
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Post by faithfulbutler on May 9, 2005 1:00:22 GMT -5
Thanks Will.You know i never confess to be in touch with a lot of Marvel characters but i had never even heard of Ant Man until this guy contacted me.I looked him up for reference pics,not exactly the most exciting supoerhero out there that's for sure.
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Post by Wild Willy on May 9, 2005 1:12:21 GMT -5
Yes I know what you mean "Ant-Man!" whats his special purpose? to go around ruining peoples pic-niks?
Will
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Post by aburabusimbutu on May 9, 2005 13:49:55 GMT -5
Good one! I actually kind of dig Ant Man precisely because he's a bit of a goofy concept, and has a cool helmet.
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Post by casimir on May 9, 2005 13:52:25 GMT -5
Ouch! Two-part molds make my head hurt! (That's why I haven't gotten past one-part molds yet.) When I get emails asking about 2-part molds, I often send them to Dan Perez's site: www.danperezstudios.com/ He's got some good articles that make excellent starting points. Might reinforce what Willy has already said. Casimir
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Post by radioscooter on May 9, 2005 14:10:42 GMT -5
I'm not really a Marvel guy at all either. I like the silver age stuff but when I talk to Marvel guys about that era they look at me with a glossy stare.
I've always liked Ant Man's costume. The helmet has radio antenna on it so he can communicate with the ants, right? Plus I love guys who shrink. That's always a cool scenario to me. -s
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Post by radioscooter on May 9, 2005 14:11:47 GMT -5
This may not help the antman one - but I am also about to try a vacuformed "helmet" base for an Adam West cowl. Who knows how that will turn out! -s
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Post by Wild Willy on May 9, 2005 17:17:47 GMT -5
This may not help the antman one - but I am also about to try a vacuformed "helmet" base for an Adam West cowl. Who knows how that will turn out! -s That's an excellent way to go Scotty-boy, in fact it is the way I will do mine when I get around to that project. If you need any reference pics of a plain uncovered shells, let me know, I can either post em for ya here or email em to ya. Just let me know if I can help in any way. Will
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