Helmet update:
Alright, let’s start with the very beginning here. I’ll break down my updates by piece. Some of these photos are quite dated as I update the Discord WAY more than my 405th account. I wanted to make a Mark VII because boy howdy did I fall in love with that design. Very sleek. It was everything I loved about the H3 Scout but perfected. All the way to the point that I no longer like the look of the H3 recon. But I knew what I wanted to do. This is a more recent image but this was roughly my idea from the start
But regardless I started with several failed prints on my CR10S Pro V2. I don’t know what it was with that thing but boy was it a fight.
This was the first iteration. I unfortunately printed it with like 5% infill and dropped it shortly after these photos were taken. That resulted in the complete crumple of the chin jut that I decided was irreparable. Lesson learned, print helmets to be stronger. (This also has given me a deathly fear of any helmet breaking for no reason.)
Next print had a weird Z step that caused the top portion you see separated being like a whole 2cm higher creating a jarring look. I separated the piece down the seam but was unsure about reattaching it so this prototype also found its way to the bin. As you can see a trend, I suck.
After much frustration I decided to buy a helmet off Etsy. The seller assured me it would fit (which was not so much my worry) but I was worried it was too big. I was correct. This thing made me look like a bobble head. So I FINALLy rescaled my helmet and set to work on V4 of my Mark VII.
As you can see here, my current helmet after the first print vs the one I bought. There was a slight size difference.
Now we have the full print. I taped it together to ensure it fit. She was snug but if I have to screw this baby on then it’ll only be more lore accurate.
This is a test with the visor in because I’m a child and cannot contain myself. The visor was nothing special. Literally using what was sent from the guy from Etsy that I purchased the bobble head helmet. It looks like a simple welding mask cut out.
Everyone’s favourite step: Sanding! After sealing her together with PLA Welding (RIP Soldering iron tip. Your sacrifice was a noble one) I had a few very ugly seams to get rid of. Not to mention a lot of rough printing to get rid of. I started with 60/80 grit. Then moved to 120-180, when I was satisfied with that I then hit it with a round of 240 dry and then 240 wet sanding. Like everyone I hated this process but damn if it didn’t feel nice when I finished.
I then painted an under-layer of Montana Gold M100 silver so anything that scratches off looks nice and isn’t grey (haha… or so I thought. Foreshadowing)
We then move to the black! This is just Citadel Black that I had lying around and I wish I had more. Nothing fancy and not much to say here. Although damn did it give a sexy stealth vibe.
A little weathering and Montana Black Cyan for the line. Now here is where I didn’t think. I sanded too hard I think and it ground all the way to the grey… luckily it is grey and actually looks kind of fine (lucky me). I also did Yee olde toothpaste to provide the paint chipping effect. Looking gorgeous.
Finally the electronics. I ripped apart an old Acer headset I got for free at DreamHack some time ago that was new in box. Then resoldered a bunch of connections. You can see the ear cups on the side and the mic is all the way in the chin. I also installed 2 fans up from for airflow. Those just pull from the vents in the cheeks. Because of how far forward the mic is that little chin acts to isolate the microphone which is already a not great mic but you can’t hear the fans which is a +1. That will be used later for the non-volitional AI I’m installing. But it also makes me sound like a season 1 RVB character which I’m ok with.
At this point the only thing I need to install is a few sensors but that isn’t a helmet problem and I’ll save it for my AI post.
Hope you guys are enjoying this. I’m trying to gather as many photos as I have to make a good recount of my process. I am not done with the suit so soon this build will catch up with where I’m at but I am nearly done with it. So woo!
