70th Explorers Garrison: Forums

Well, I am getting started on a TCW Pre Vizsla build. As this is a pretty new costume to the SW Galaxy, I am going to try to use it as a learning project and teach myself some new processes. As a result, this may take a while.

I want to start by creating a master for the somewhat unique Deathwatch helmets. I plan on slush casting copies from the results of this master. I have never done any silicone molding or resin casting to speak of, but I have been researching the process quite a bit. I am excited to get this experience under my belt and embrace the possibilities that it opens up for future props and stuff.

Anyways, here are a few pics of the helmet progress:

Starting life as a '96 Don Post Boba:


All the paint stripped off with Acetone: (Hello Kitty Helmet?!)


Cutting out the Range Finder Mount:


Ear hole will be filled and shaped to match on both sides with Apoxy Sculpt:


Deep Fett 'cheeks" cut out:


New hard board panels glued in:


New Cheeks and chin extension in Place: (These will also get the Apoxy Sculpt treatment)


Key slot panel cut out:


On my makeshift helmet stand ready for sculpting to begin:



More to come soon!

So, wait, that helmet fits your head?

Hey you should bring your build WIP over to the BHG, I know alot of folks would love to see this since what you are doing can also apply to Jaster Mereel. Looking good so far!

miss_grievous wrote:So, wait, that helmet fits your head?

Believe it or not, it does. Since the cheeks have been modified, it is quite spacious....comparatively. ;-)

Marvinrobot wrote:Hey you should bring your build WIP over to the BHG, I know alot of folks would love to see this since what you are doing can also apply to Jaster Mereel. Looking good so far!

Thanks! I might just do that. I will probably do a run of these once the master is complete. ..

I made a little more progress. I did back up a few steps as I have decided to make this a wearable helmet instead of just a master for molding. I figure that way, at least I will have one helmet for myself just in case there is not enough interest in a run to make it financially feasible to make a mold and do the castings. (That's me playing it safe. Pessimism?) Anyway, changes include removing the wood and replacing it with plastic panels as well as making sure the interior is nice and finished. Here are some pics of progress as I get to sculpting...

are you going to make the visor more narrow?

I don't think so. Because of the nature of the vinyl base helmet, it'd be very difficult to narrow it up. (You would end up with thicker bars on the side of it. :-( ) I am hoping that elongating to vertical part will create the illusion that it is narrower. I think it will become more apparent once I get it in primer. I guess in that sense, it will be somewhat a "realistic" version of the Deathwatch design.

Awesome!

Here's a little more progress:





Now that the garage is warmer, I hope to forge ahead at a medium pace.

Here is the helmet after it's first coat of primer and some light sanding....










So... it's coming along ok, I think.

This is looking really awsome man I just showed my son (he's 4 ) and he knew who you was and of course went and got the action figure keep it up

dennybobbutt wrote:This is looking really awsome man I just showed my son (he's 4 ) and he knew who you was and of course went and got the action figure keep it up

Sweet! That's pretty much all the validation I need for the design. :-)

Well, I haven't posted any progress in a while because I have been awful busy sweating and eating bondo dust.

Does anyone have a pattern for Jango's Vest? I think I can pretty simply shorten it for this costume. Anyway . . .

Here are a few pics from the process:

My PVC Chest armor-




I slushed a little resin into the top of my bucket to stabilize the shape. (Vinyl is REALLY bendy in the sun and heat)



The MDF frames for my Westar 35's



Side Panels and spacers installed





Detail panels and grips cut out



Filler epoxy crammed in and sanded



PVC Knee plates



Westar Master in primer and ready for sanding. (It is my intent to cast two of these out of resin)




Here it is after further sanding, filling, and a trigger added....



I might do a run of these pistols if there is any interest (and if the mold turns out nice.) :-)

Here's a bit more progress. I started my gauntlets. They still require a great deal of Sculpting, filling, and sanding, but I think you get the idea.