Helmet question - Hovi Mic Reinforcement?

[usaeatt2]

I've seen reinforcement added inside the helmet for Hovi Mic installation on a few builds.  Is this necessary?  Recommended?  What are the pros/cons?  I'm guessing there are lots of troopers who have installed mic tips with no reinforcement and have never had any trouble.  Just curious because I'm getting close to that stage...

[Stormy1992]

I didnt put any in mine.. and i wish that i did. i never thought about it to be honest. where my mic tips go its really really thin plastic and it crincles every time they are touched.. this kid hit my helmet and i had a heart attack because i thought they went missing. I would think it really depends how thick the plastic is. id recommend it. just to save from the worry. ill probably end up shooting some hot glue in there or something.

[usaeatt2]

Awesome.  Thanks, Kyle! - that's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for...

[gazmosis[501st]]

NO HOT GLUE!!!!!!! The plastic is so thin in this area hot glue will warp the plastic badly if applied here. If you want to re-enforce the area, a common trick is to lay a piece of cotton t-shirt over the mic tip area on the inside of the helmet and soak it with super glue. This is known as poor man's fiberglass. but it works. Watch for the fumes, though

[usaeatt2]

Nice.  Thanks, Steve.  I was thinking maybe I would glue in a washer, but now I think I'll glue in the washer and back it up/reinforce it with some kind of poor man's fiberglass.

[I'm Batman[501st]]

I just covered it in shoo goo. I thought better to be a trooper with no problems, than one that may or may not a have a problem.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

I glued in a washer just for a little reassurance 

[Geekin']

newbie question, aren't there bolt on "hovi's"? or are they unacceptable?

[usaeatt2]

David,  Yes, my Hovi's are bolt-on.  I'm talking about reinforcing the helmet.  The bolt doesn't do much good when it's only held by thin ABS.  

[Geekin']

I guess you have a point there   thanks for your understanding Aaron...still learning

[Stormy1992]

Haha your welcome! but! Yes not hot glue haha that was off the top of my head. Sorry for the wrong advice on that everyone. The plastic is thin so it would melt it. :/ glad you caught that. Good thing I didn't yet

[Stormy1992]

A washer is a great idea. But yep he is right about the bolt not doing much for a thin abs plastic piece. I may try out the bolt idea too.

[bdgr[501st]]

I usually reinforce that area inside the helmet with Bondo and always use a washer with the bolt.

[toybiz[TK]]

I'm a little late but I used a combination of washers and epoxy putty.

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/26919-my-first-esb-tk-build-mtk/?p=341267

[usaeatt2]

I'm a little late but I used a combination of washers and epoxy putty.

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/26919-my-first-esb-tk-build-mtk/?p=341267

 

Thanks, Adam!  As it turns out, not too late at all - I haven't done this yet and I like your solution.  In fact, your entire build side tracked me...I especially like the way you "keyed" the ab and kidney pieces together.  Thanks again! 

[DroidHunter]

NO HOT GLUE!!!!!!! The plastic is so thin in this area hot glue will warp the plastic badly if applied here. If you want to re-enforce the area, a common trick is to lay a piece of cotton t-shirt over the mic tip area on the inside of the helmet and soak it with super glue. This is known as poor man's fiberglass. but it works. Watch for the fumes, though

I never did mine but I think I will. When you say super glue, can I assume that CA glue from Hobbytown USA would work using this method?

[Sly11[Admin]]

Super glue and CA are one in the same. The gel version gives you a bit more time to work on before it goes hard.