Tips and Tricks for making the Helmets

[Crank729]

I'd be interested to know of any good Canadian/BC sources as well. I won't be able to rely on my school for cheap materials forever.

I just placed a order with mcmaster carr two day ago, then Yesterday I get an email saying it's been canceled because they don't do business with unestablished customers in Canada......

wut?

[ThreeFN]

I just placed a order with mcmaster carr two day ago, then Yesterday I get an email saying it's been canceled because they don't do business with unestablished customers in Canada......

wut?

I'd recommend staying away from McMaster-Carr. I live (and die) by them at work, but they're not cheap, and charge an arm and leg for shipping. It may be even worse for stuff sent to Canadia, not sure.

Phonebook for plastics would probably be the best first bet. Maybe try calling a fish tank builder (the kind that would make custom tanks) as they HAVE to know the plastic suppliers. I'd start think of people that USE plastics and checking the phonebook. If you go in person, have a look at what they sell, they're normally pretty receptive.

Ideas:
Trophie/display case builders
schools (they get supplies from somewhere)
artist commune type places (they can use all kinds of supplies)
hacker spaces
etc

[Thomas Bangalter]

Hey all, so I am studding my jacket and was curious if this was a good size for the studs?
http://www.kitkraft.biz/product.php?productid=8776'
I know a few of you on here have ordered these studs and just want to make sure to get a good size, thanks guys!

[ctwalrus]

ThreeFN how is your guyman helmet coming??

[ThreeFN]

ThreeFN how is your guyman helmet coming??

Not well enough.

I've done a few odds and ends on the project. I've been trying to modify and increase the reliability of some parts of the code. For instance, things tend to crash if any device (rainbowduino, smart battery, etc) isn't plug in or is unplugged in operation. I'm trying to figure ways to A) prevent crashes when parts are missing, and B) intelligently report these errors so that they can be dealt with by the user.

Once again, I'm realizing that with no true programming background, I'm quite at a disadvantage when it comes to this kind of stuff, because I just don't know where to start.

I have been somewhat successful at tracking down an ancient 'bug' when resets of the main controller can sometimes 'lock up' a single rainbow. I've found a way to tie the reset lines together on the controllers so that I can remotely reset all of them when intelligent, so that the lock up problem isn't as prevalent. Then again, just power cycling does a decent enough job really.

[RustyJames]

Can anyone give me some advice on the best/easiest way to cut out a Guy-man visor?? What tools work best..I was thinking just a cutting wheel with my dremel but not sure...

[ThreeFN]

Can anyone give me some advice on the best/easiest way to cut out a Guy-man visor?? What tools work best..I was thinking just a cutting wheel with my dremel but not sure...

Dremel is probably best. You could use shears or similar, but they work best with sheets, and particularly thin sheets. I assume you're thinking of vacuum forming, and in that case shears will probably mangle the visor as you try and cut the angled shape.

Do be aware that the dremel will burn the plastic as it cuts, no way around that. Plan to over-cut (leave excess material around you cut line) and sand down the different to remove the burnt plastic.

[RustyJames]

Thanks for that info..that's good to know but I'm talking mainly about cutting it out before the vacuum form stage..I just don't want to have the cut all jagged..or does that normally have to be cleaned up before vacuum forming..

[Thomas Bangalter]

wadya guys think of my new helmet? :P

[DaftSauce]

I just died. That looks amazing! I bow down to you Thomas.