HOW to: assembling ATA ABS helmet #1

[MaskedVengeance[Staff]]

Greetings Troopers! I know a great many builders use this awesome thread for guidance while assembling helmets, and since I love printed resources, I created a PDF document of Terry's tutorial. When viewed on a computer, and possibly other devices, the Table of Contents is clickable and scrolls the document straight to the selected topic. I've also compiled several other threads in this same fashion, and that post can be found in the Getting Started forum. I hope this can be helpful to anybody who stumbles across it!

[CT 1977]

On 3/7/2011 at 1:49 PM, pandatrooper said:

Teeth fully painted with 2 coats

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5506259823_2e44dbefe0_z.jpg

 

Other details complete (ear rank missing as it was added last)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5506260701_c8a878ffcf_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5506274737_12e5aff1ba_z.jpg

 

He looks like Mr. No Stripes!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5506860036_40ef5aa01e_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5506861100_3fbcb52c25_z.jpg

 

For the tube stripes, I hand cut decals from sign vinyl. You can use a brush for painting the stripes, but I like to use an airbrush.

Remove the ears, and apply the template in the correct location (stripes should be approx. 1/4" away from the valley)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5506264725_0ba5b04066_z.jpg

 

I mask the area with masking tape. I also taped paper in place to avoid overspray on the lid

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5506265933_2224e3d9f8_z.jpg

 

I usually do about 3 coats or passes with the airbrush (I am using Testors French blue in a Iwata HP-B airbrush)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5506864614_8596d1e4a0_z.jpg

 

After the paint has dried slightly, I peel the template away (I don't wait for it to cure fully because I do not want any puckered edges in the paint)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5506865686_fcb3fe1994_z.jpg

 

Finished Left side

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5506269075_e8eceb809f_z.jpg

 

Right side

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5506868160_1298415241_z.jpg

 

To paint the vents, I cut some more templates from sign vinyl. I hand drew them for an organic look, and cut them out. Then airbrushed them with black. You could also simply run masking tape above and below the vents and brush paint them, but since I have the airbrush out it was just easier to do this at the same time.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5506271487_37807464d9_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5506272631_d7a19d520f_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5506273615_695be1081d_z.jpg

 

For the duct lines, I simply use a round tip brush with black paint to paint the lines in.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5506881490_4c13ac05af_z.jpg

 

To paint the mic tips, I sand them slightly and wash them in detergent to remove any mold release. I simply stick them face down on some masking tape and paint them black.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5506257161_bacc6025f1_z.jpg

 

After they are dry, I sand the edges of the tips slightly to make them look a little more "worn" and add the mesh (run some CA glue on the inside edge and press the tips in. Some people like to use a round tool to make it look like they are pressed from the inside.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5506855252_85bec8af64_z.jpg

 

Installed mic tips

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5506258993_7c08830603_z.jpg

 

For the lens, I cut a notch out for the nose area. The bolts passing through the ears will hold the lens in place. I simply drill alignment holes for them in the lens.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5506859056_7a2ed8479f_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5506275687_354f1ced1d_z.jpg

Hi Terry, newbie trooper here...where can I find "sign vinyl" and is there a specific type? Thanks.

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

14 minutes ago, CT 1977 said:

Hi Terry, newbie trooper here...where can I find "sign vinyl" and is there a specific type? Thanks.

 

It depends on what you are using it for, Bill.  What part are you thinking of?

[MaskedVengeance[Staff]]

Hi Bill! It seems you’re referring to the sign vinyl that Terry used to make a rear trap vent template. If you wanted to go the DIY route, instead of purchasing template decals from a place like Trooperbay, you could use any removable adhesive vinyl from a retail or craft store. For example, cricut vinyl or transfer paper could work. Some builders even use painters tape. Joseph actually has a Template Painting 101 thread that describes this.

I’d add specific links, but don’t have easy access to them on mobile. However, I have included some on this master resource compilation I put together:

https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/49412-all-in-one-tk-anh-stunt-index-of-resources-by-maskedvengeance/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[revlimiter[Staff]]

If you really want some sign vinyl to make templates with, Oracal 651 is the best in my opinion.  It's thicker than the 751&951 (easier to cut and lay), less expensive than those other 2, and conforms extremely well to a surface. It leaves little to no residue behind. It's a world better than hobby vinyl you might find at a local craft store. 

 

You can likely get a tiny roll of 651 on Amazon for a few dollars, especially if you don't care what color you're using. You could also try a sign shop nearby and ask if they have some extra scraps around. 

 

Source: I own a print shop and have killed miles of vinyl. 

[CT 1977]

On 1/22/2022 at 3:17 PM, MaskedVengeance said:

Hi Bill! It seems you’re referring to the sign vinyl that Terry used to make a rear trap vent template. If you wanted to go the DIY route, instead of purchasing template decals from a place like Trooperbay, you could use any removable adhesive vinyl from a retail or craft store. For example, cricut vinyl or transfer paper could work. Some builders even use painters tape. Joseph actually has a Template Painting 101 thread that describes this.

I’d add specific links, but don’t have easy access to them on mobile. However, I have included some on this master resource compilation I put together:

https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/49412-all-in-one-tk-anh-stunt-index-of-resources-by-maskedvengeance/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Caleb, just saw this reply. Thanks and apologies on the delay. I'm going to be spending some time on my bucket today - finally! Do you know of any links that have ideas and suggestions for installing fans and microphones. I'm still a bit away from that but close enough to start thinking about it and planning.

Thanks, Bill.