Plexiglass helmet visor, shape forming questions?

Rahksi · Mar 4, 2015

Hey guys, so I just built my ODST helmet from foam, and need to fit in a visor. I am looking for a cost effective way, has anyone ever used plexiglass? Is it possible to use a heat gun to form the basic shape? Then maybe use window tint or tint paint? Are there any other options?

Help only please, I did try the search option to no avail, I'd appreciate help!

RobTC · Mar 4, 2015

It's possible to heat form acrylic, though iirc it's a little finicky in regards to temperature and method of heating. It might be better to go with something also transparent but easier to heat form, like PETG or polycarbonate. They should be available in vacuum-ready sheets, ideal for making cosplay visors.

I think it's possible to buy ODST visors ready-made, but I don't know where from.

Frozensnot · Mar 4, 2015

RobTC said:
I think it's possible to buy ODST visors ready-made, but I don't know where from.

I bought an ODST visor from Sean Bradley close to two years ago. Maybe he still makes them? I would shoot him a message on Facebook if that's something you are interested in.

I know there are several threads talking about ODST visors. Let me see what I can come up with...

I guess the better question is how detailed you want the visor?

This one shows an odst visor that is presentable.
http://www.405th.com/f14/halo-3-odst-visors-26508/
This one is close to the same as the last one but looks better.
http://www.405th.com/f21/visor-tutorial-32913/
This thread is not odst specific but the same principle applies to vaccum forming.
http://www.405th.com/f21/vacuum-forming-mould-making-question-39945/

Hope it helps.

Ashuraa · Mar 5, 2015

I know Kusak3 and I were trying to vacuum form ODST helmet visors, and we accidentally got plexiglass. It did not work very well. It heated up at far to high a temp, and then did not form down very well.

Rahksi · Mar 6, 2015

Frozensnot said:
I bought an ODST visor from Sean Bradley close to two years ago. Maybe he still makes them? I would shoot him a message on Facebook if that's something you are interested in.

I know there are several threads talking about ODST visors. Let me see what I can come up with...

I guess the better question is how detailed you want the visor?

This one shows an odst visor that is presentable.
http://www.405th.com/f14/halo-3-odst-visors-26508/
This one is close to the same as the last one but looks better.
http://www.405th.com/f21/visor-tutorial-32913/
This thread is not odst specific but the same principle applies to vaccum forming.
http://www.405th.com/f21/vacuum-forming-mould-making-question-39945/

Hope it helps.

Thank you everyone for the replies! Do you happen to know how much those would cost?

I bought a couple sheets of acrylic and I'm trying to brainstorm how to work this out. As in cutting the pieces then bending them, or trying to keep it all one piece.

Next up would be either trying to find some form of mirrored (one way transparent) spray paint, or actually using window tint on the curved pieces (would I would imagine would be difficult).

Frozensnot · Mar 6, 2015

It's hard to say how much I paid for an ODST visor. If I had to guess it was in the $25-40 range.

I have heard using Alclad II Chrome (an alternate version of mirrachrome; basically alclad is cheaper) can give a reflective look, rather than using window tint. I have never had much luck with window tint.

Whatever path you decide to choose, good luck with the visor.

Harri51 · Mar 6, 2015

I did this with my first helmet. Now I found thinner and colored on amazon. So I am going to make a hard form to slowly form the visor. I have a variable selction heat gun that get up there in heat. But you want to do it as slow as possible to avoid cracking in the visor. when i finished and mounted the visor it didn't cool fully and started to crack. I like my process in making the ODST visor but the vaccum forming is sooooo much faster.

Plexiglass helmet visor, shape forming questions?

Rahksi

New Member

RobTC

Member

Frozensnot

Well-Known Member

Ashuraa

Research Team Lead

Rahksi

New Member

Frozensnot

Well-Known Member

Harri51

RMO

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