CT 1977

hey Dan, I've seen your video's around and this video is great...just what I needed. Thanks so much for sharing. I just bought a couple of sets of brushes and I'll have to make sure I have one of those filbert brushes. One more question, on the "induction filters" (not sure if that's the correct term) I've seen them completely black or with the white rim like you have. Is that a personal preference or is it ANH design?

Below is a photo of Cali_Nole's (Paul) paint job on vocoder...what are some of the technique's everyone is using to keep the lines clean and uniform?

I opened up the right side but seems I took a bit more from the top than is on the left. I'll fix that on on the next armor day.

Great job on the vocoder! How did you keep the lines so straight and distinctive? Just careful hand-drawing or a stencil of some type?

Is that a chin strap I see?

yeah, thanks Glen. I saw that too but wanted to wait to see if was as obvious to others as it was to me. I'll get'em matched up.

Oh yeah, my goal is to have my armor complete by May 4, 2022. Yeah, a year off but with home projects and beer brewing, I hope I can meet that deadline.

Here are some pic's of setting up the standoffs that will hold the lenses in place. I liked the way that Paul used the standoffs but he he used sugru and I used JB Weld, mostly because I thought I was a bit more familiar with that type of epoxy. Looking at Paul's build, it looks like sugru might be the better way to go as it looks like I'll be adding at least two more coats to build up to be strong enough. Tomorrow I'll add the second coat...more photos to come.

Newbie question, I searched Amazon for Humbrol #85 and an "acrylic" #85 came up....is this correct? Is acrylic paint the paint to use? I didn't see any references to acrylic listed so I wanted to make sure - thanks! https://www.amazon.com/Humbrol-Acrylic-Dropper-Bottle-DB0085/dp/B08DJDNGXQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=humbrol+%2385+paint&qid=1620499744&sr=8-1

Cool, thanks Dan! That's great advice. I'll be working on the lenses next, setting up the standoffs then spray the inside with plasitdip.

I had planned to fix the eyes then work on installing the stand-offs for the lenses but thought I'd post the photos first to see what you guys think (Glen & Dan). I ended up taking more material from the left eye outside corner than I wanted. The other aspect I became aware of was to make sure the inside and outside corners were even on top and bottom so that the lenses would sit flush and without gaps.

Good stuff, Glen...I love it! Thanks!

Since I first started building my ANH Stunt bucket (and probably long before) I always wondered as to the official design and technical features of the helmet. I found this image online and wanted to post here and see what the real experts have to say about it.

Hey Dan, that's a huge help, thanks so much. I'm always open to any tips and advice. I'm putting together my materials for lenses and frown mesh now. I'll be basing it on Paul's idea (or Paul's use of another troopers idea) of using standoffs and JB welding putty. I'm planning on using "Plastidip" for the black coating on the inside of the lid. I'm always open to any advice so keep'em coming.

Hey Paul, that's perfect, and yes, I get it that it's way more than needed but not bad for just $12. I'm ordering today. (PS: my build is going a bit slow as well, just plugging along, fitting in where I can).

hey Paul, I like the idea of using those standoffs and so that is what I'm planning to do. I couldn't find the standoffs at Lowe's, Home Depot or even a local hardware store specializing in unusual screws, bolts and other attachment means. I found them on Amazon but when I went to add the M3 screws, I saw two different thread configurations for M3, .035 and .50. The thread configuration on the standoff page just listed M3 as the their thread configuration. So, short question made very long, where or what type of business did you find your standoffs and screws?

Cool, I got a promotion

I forgot to answer your first question...I traced out the cut lines and used standard tin snips to cut well below the line then made many small grinds and files along the way. One of the biggest helps was to make a small cut-out for where the helmet joins the faceplate, that really helped it comply.

Thanks, Steven. Ha, yeah. trim, look, measure repeat 500 times. It's not really completely done. Another trooper, Paul, had the idea to bolt the face and helmet together, get everything fitted and done then rivet all together, which is what I plan to do and, especially with the ears, make the final..."surgical" adjustments. Much was done with small files ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YCC28NF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) that I bought at Amazon for $25...really perfect for this kit. Also, I took my Dremel and put it in a vice and used it like a mounted grinding wheel to make smaller, more controlled adjustments. I gotta tell you I was pretty nervous about it, still am a bit but not as much as before. I poured over all the ear tutorials. Panatrooper has a build that was helpful...even though it was 10 years ago it's still appropriate . Good luck with your build and I've learned there's plenty of experience armor builders out that are more than willing to help. This is my first build but if I can help at all just let me know.

Thanks, Glen. I was going for no gaps, which I plan to end up with when I put it all together.

I set up my dremel in the vice and used it like a grinding wheel. I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of this but it really helped. I was able to control the grind much better. I started with the left ear as I've heard the right ear is harder...not quite sure where I read or heard that but went that direction...just in case. I pretty much followed Paul's lead in just using screws for the faceplate to helmet and I'm glad I did. I had some adjustments to make that made a big difference in how the ears fit. My plan is to make adjustments to the right side then fit the ear. Once that's done then I'll work on getting the faceplate done then paint the inside, rivet the faceplate to the helmet and attach the ears. THEN...figuring out what kind of helmet fit apparatus I want to use...padding or hard hat helmet liner. The paint I'm planning on using is below. Anyone tried this one? Any reason I should look at something else? As always, I'm open to suggestions and ideas so please feel free to post - Thanks!

Thanks, Glen. That's pretty much what my research has shown too. Its telling that the kit comes with two sets of ears.

I just traced out the ears but will wait to the next session to start trimming and fitting.

The teeth didn't come out as well as I had hoped. I ended up taking a bit too much out and had to carefully compensate. Pretty followed Paul's technique using the Dremel barrel sander to open the holes then worked them with the needle files. I found that the far right/left tooth holes were easier to use a 5/64 drill bit with a very slow rotation then clean it out and shape it again with needle files. Comments, thoughts, improvements or changes I should make, just let me know.