9's Clone helmet project

9 · Post by 9 » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:32 am

For those helmets we are unable to try hands-on...
(clones, stormies, guards, character with helmets)

What are the proper methods to take a measurement, comparing
helmet size (those sold on auctions, fan made, etc), finding the right
gear to fit in?

Standard sizes? If modifications are needed, what methods, materials?

Many thanks for any help or suggestions!

Haldir · Post by **Haldir** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:46 pm

A bit weird method but for Don Post, you can try asking those who own such helmet to tell you their head circumference and how much space they are left with after wearing the helmet.

Or ask those with the helmet you are interested in to let you try it out.

I have no problem with my DP '96 Royal Guard and can even wear my glasses underneather it if it's the small oval kind (a cm or 2 bigger than standard eye size).

For Altmann, I heard complains that many are much smaller than original size (Don Post IRG is said to be 9/10 the original size) except the IRG but that good comment about the IRG size is good came from a woman.

Other than that, if there is time, can try asking the seller to help provide you with the Circumference inside the helmet.

As for modification, previous many IRG costumer whose DP Helmet doesn't fit their head said they used Hair Dryer (or similar) to expand their helmet.

Some left their helmet for a while under the hot sun to get the rubbery-plastic soften than slowly expand it by hand or basketball.

Recently on the new IRG Forum, someone posted a tutorial how he cut the helmet into 2 and then putty or fiberglass it with the appropiate gap between the 2 pieces to allow his head to go into the helmet.

Of course, most modifications were done on Don Post Helmet which are a made of rubbery-plastic material.

I'm sure other who are more experience can give more pointer.

9 · Post by 9 » Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:39 pm

What i was told, the IRG helmet is rather narrow. I wanted to try aweee's new stormie helmet...before i could...seems like my ears were already sticking out when i wore it 1/3....haaa.

THose who witness can vouch...i got a darn big round head.

Now im thinking...maybe those aotc or rots style clone helmet might have a wider opening. I don't think i should get those that fit just nice...might need to add in mods and sponge...those take up alittle bit space too. :S

Worst come to the worst....be Dengar...NOT! Just kidding.

mandalorianBleahhh · Post by **mandalorianBleahhh** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:20 pm

well, frm what i have experienced, most (in fact maybe all) helmets u buy, do not have some sort of 'hard-hat' (those white plastic thing that u can find in construction helmets which u can adjust to fit ur head and to hold the helmet on to ur head) or 'cushies' (aka sponge or pieces of cushion to fill in the spaces ur head would not touch). This is when u will mod to make the inside of the helmet fit ur melon (aka head....)

As for Proportion, that, u can simply do by getting the exact dimension, and do a comparison with ur head.....

no hard and fast rule. But i'm sure it can be done...

9 · Post by 9 » Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:14 pm

erm...

issit use measuring tape go circumference of head? sorry im pretty much clueless bout this part.

as for the padding...and the construction helmet inner stuff...no problem...easily get. Heh

Haldir · Post by **Haldir** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:47 pm

9 wrote:erm...

issit use measuring tape go circumference of head? sorry im pretty much clueless bout this part.

Ya lah.

But make sure you use Sewing aka the Soft Measuring Tape instead of the metal ones.

Another way is to use a string to go round your head, then measure it against a ruler or measuring tape.

Ya, some helmet you'll need to do a bit of twisting to go inside or remove it.

renzaijh · Post by **renzaijh** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:10 pm

9, you brought up an interesting issue/headache for costumers. Even if we measured the diameter/circumference of our heads to get a better fit, the crux of the issue still lie with the prop makers.

For instance, the people who did the Rebel Fleet Trooper (RFT) helmet kit I bought only made it "one-size fits all". It's not like caps where sizes are available. As it is, I wish my RFT helmet is 90-95% its current size.

I think the "one size fits all" issue also applies to TK buckets. Be it SDS, GF, TE, FX versions, etc. If you look at the member gallery at 501st.com, you can see some helmeted costumers either having big helmet/small body or small helmet/big body. Thing is, the helmet they wear is the same size but have to contend with the helmet size issue until the incredible shrinking/growing machine materialises.

Armour can be trimmed but not helmets.

fangirl2 · Post by **fangirl2** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:08 am

Agreed. Unless you custom-make your entire get up from head to toe, it's going to be tough to be screen proportionate.

-pez

Commander_Salji · Post by **Commander_Salji** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:18 pm

fangirl2 wrote:Agreed. Unless you custom-make your entire get up from head to toe, it's going to be tough to be screen proportionate.

-pez

Not exactly so, I believe that Stormtrooper buckets that were made for LFL when the OT were filmed could be mass produced and based on a single head-size circumference.

As for me, I personally prefer my helmet or dome to be slightly BIGGER than too close fitting. The reason is simple, from my experiences trooping as the Emperor's Royal Guard (hence my 501st TK-ID : TR 2870) it's a tight fitting DON POST Helmet that requires the wearing of contacts.... and IF possible I prefer not to wear them but my trusty glasses inside my bucket. Hey Fangirl2 now you know why I wear my glasses + shades inside my Tusken Raider's head when we met back in Dec 2005 at AOSW.

Whatever it is, the issue of an OVERSIZED Helmet on my end can be fixed with a Helmet Liner. If there is a need to ensure the Helmet Liner is firmly in place so that it doesn't get too loose inside and impair my vision whilst trooping, additional Foam / Sponge lining will take care of that. This is my methodology for my next 501st "TS" ID project.

Lastly, since I'm "blessed" with a bigger head circumference, UNDERSIZED Helmet and NOT oversized helmet is the concern to me!

9 · Post by 9 » Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:47 pm

Ok i made my little first step towards trooping....hehe

bought a kellogg's helm from Jedislayer! (thanks!)

Here's a pix of me wearing it raw. (non-modified yet, with both sides velcro-ed on)

It looks very big on me....and im already quite a 'large frame' person. Looks unproportionate....
(no thanks to my big head too.

)

Basically i had to force the helmet on, as i have high cheekbones, it's a tight fit....don't need padding as of now, as my cheekbones hold the helmet tightly in place.

I realized if i wear it, with both sides end to end (meaning edge to edge without velcro both sides together), it's a 'just nice' fit.
(meaning padding would be optional...its still a snug fit.

I wonder if mods are added in (lens, etc), would it affect the wear-ability?

On the side, apart from the fitting problem....any advice on how to modify the helmet? I believe materials used locally are different from overseas? or issit the same? =)

GetzJedi · Post by **GetzJedi** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:37 am

9 wrote:On the side, apart from the fitting problem....any advice on how to modify the helmet? I believe materials used locally are different from overseas? or issit the same? =)

Since there wouldn't be much room for padding, consider a change of lens if the present one isn't good enough... Also, try to determine where are the unused spaces to consider gadgets such as amps and fans... Painting should be done when you receive the armour so that the colouring and weathering are consistent...

renzaijh · Post by **renzaijh** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:26 am

9, I was comparing your photo to your avatar, I'm not sure if that piece of 'neck ring' beneath the clone helmet is supposed to be there. Think we can reduce the height of the helmet by an inch without that bit.

Awwee · Post by **Awwee** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 8:03 am

Yeah.. cut those off... and also maybe you might just want onli a sponge between the top of ur head and the helmet for support? That's wat I did for my stormie... sometimes minimum is enough...

Hey... dun u like the all-white clone version? I think they looks cool... and also Ebay have a few clone armour... u may want to see see... cheap...

Impulse · Post by **Impulse** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:15 pm

personally i think the kelloggs helmet is pretty unproportional... i think u may have to spend lots of time to modify it to look like the replica from the movies.

renzaijh · Post by **renzaijh** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:57 pm

9, here's a pic comparing the Kellog's and Rubies clone trooper helmet:

Note the excess bits below the Kellogs helmet (left). Despite the 'big' size, the Kellogs helmet seems to be the preferred choice among Episdoe II clone costumers. The Rubies version is deemed 'grossly undersized'.

More comparison pics can be found below:

http://badger.cx/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=37

Do check out how someone modded his Kellogs helmet too. Looks neat to me:

http://www.imperialtrooper.com/props/Cl ... ooper.html

(EDIT): Here's a comprehensive guide to modding the Kellog's helmet from the clonetroopers.net forum:

http://clonetroopers.net/Forum/lofivers ... t1054.html

"Never give up, never surrender."