RichArnold Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Hi all.. Purchsed a Rubies bucket for £20 (about $30) off a certain, well known, online auction site, and have been slowly modding it in my spare time. Had a few queries about it, and was hoping to pick your brains about it: 1) how much "flare" is needed to be taken out? my head's not huge, and I've managed to get it to a point where I can squeeze it over my noggin, but I'm concerned that if I need to take any more out of it, it'll never fit.. 2) apart from what's in the various tutorials, is there anything else I should worry about to make it Pathfinder/ 501st acceptable? As mentioned, i've taken as much flare as i dare out of it, and I've got a replacement Greeble (greeblie?) from DJ over here in the Uk, but I'm wondering if the decals should be made of a specific material, or if sign-quality vinyl is sufficient? From looking through the various topics, etc, is it safe to assume that I don't need any form of trim around the base of the helmet? Anyway, that's about all i can think of right now, hope to post a WIP photo shortly, and thanks for any help you can offer. Cheers all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fettski Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I have not done this mod yet, but for what I have seen, the amount of flare that needs to be fixed can vary. I think there is a template out there that can get you to where you need to be. Put up a pic or 2 so the experts can see what your dealing with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonewolf Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Hi Rich, the Rubies is a great wee helmet , it is very accurate but a bit small. Vinyl stickers are best for trooping, very hard wearing and rarely peel off, the better ones are very thin. No trim at base. Take a long time looking at the originals for guidance. Frank has a tutorial here, his lid looks great. I would cut the faceplate "cheekbones " away about about 9mm , try not to angle the nose section in too much, templates available. The Rubies has a bad habit of collapsing betwwen the bottom nose/eye section and the brow section,I suspect this is why there is a strengthening piece of vinyl at this point. If this happens even slightly then the jaw line will be wrong and ugly. The main helmet piece collapses in every plane, it is a big wobbly mess, get the base shaped nice, approximately just big enough to slip your head into ,using wire or flat bar.then the two front edges should be strengthened to keep it from curling in on itself. Now the visor, the most difficult thing to get to sit nice, if the faceplate is strenghtened and correct, with the slightly cut cheekbones then the visor should pull in to a nice angle . It can look brilliant but if it all goes wrong you will have learn't a bit more about Biker Scout helmets and possibly how rubbish some glues really are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Cheers guys. Lonewolf, when you say Frank, can i safely assume you mean Acrylikhan? His work is properly blinding. On another note, anybody know how the hell you add pics to these things? I've got all the stages of what I've done so far on Fb and my harddrive, but can't figure out how to add them to here. TBH, I'm probably just being thick... One, ever-so-slightly-off-topic question, but would you say that SC armour is best for a newbie? It looks good, and the price seems good too... Okay, so all I've got atm is the bucket, but I'm hoping to make my own boots using the tutorial, and probably gonna end up using Marcel for the bulk of the soft parts... any suggestions are welcome if this is either the wrong or right way to go about it... And yes, I know I should message Bluecyclone, but I thought I'd wait til I got some money put aside before I even think about definite purchases... note to Mods- feel free to move this topic if it shifts too far away from bucket talk... ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonewolf Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 PM sent Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Hurrah!! Not as easy as certain "social networking" sites, but easy enough when your told (cheers sgtski ) Anyway, back to the original point of this thread- if fits my noggin, but is it going to be enough for clearance? I've removed the logo off the back (slight repair was needed where I "punched through") and have the usual reinforcing bars (the tutorials are brilliant, and Frank is a mod god!!!) and some velcro should hold it all together at chin level. Forgot to add- this is only white primer, still plenty of room available for more adjustments, etc. Cheers though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 This is how it was when i first got it. Not the worst Rubies bucket by any means, but even so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilobite Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Forgot to add- this is only white primer, still plenty of room available for more adjustments, etc. Cheers though Be careful when painting it. I painted my Rubies a month ago and it's STILL tacky to the touch. I'm guessing my only recourse now is to sand it down and repaint (maybe I overpainted? I thought I was being careful...). -Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 The primer seems to be okay- touch dry in about 15 minutes... I still leave it overnight to properly go off.. Which top coat did you use? I'm gonna end up going for a glossy "death-star" look for now- my weathering skills aren't brilliant, and I thought that if I wore the rest of my kit on my bike for a few trips it might weather up naturally.. Here's hoping, eh? There is one thing I needed clarified though- are there two shades of Grey on the bucket? The bolt covers and fish-hook look lighter on most of the finished ones I've seen, when compared to the other grey areas (snout, etc). If it's all the same colour, then it saves a bit of grief, but it's not a difficult thing to sort. cheers again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fettski Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hurrah!! Not as easy as certain "social networking" sites, but easy enough when your told (cheers sgtski ) You're very welcome, glad I could help. Your progress looks pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Cheers Ski... when they say it's a lot of work modding the Rubies, they don't joke. All that's left is the glosswork, decals and lense, but I think I might wait til the weather's a bit warmer before I go out to the shed. Don't want the finish ruined because it was too cold (oh to be in england, etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scout_Trystan Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Excellent work. It is indeed a chore to get the Rubies up to spec, but it feels (to me at least) like it will be worth the effort in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Excellent work. It is indeed a chore to get the Rubies up to spec, but it feels (to me at least) like it will be worth the effort in the end. I've resigned myself to the fact it'll never be up to Lancer spec (has any Rubies ever made lancer?) But knowing it might just be good enough for pathfinder/ 501st clearance makes it all worth the effort. And it puts a big grin on me face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scout_Trystan Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I've resigned myself to the fact it'll never be up to Lancer spec (has any Rubies ever made lancer?) But knowing it might just be good enough for pathfinder/ 501st clearance makes it all worth the effort. And it puts a big grin on me face. I think, given enough work, you could get a rubies up to lancer spec. Just look at Acrylikhan's rubies helm. From his thread: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Frank is a Rubies modding legend! but even then, I don't think he's had any of his buckets accepted for lancer. I could be wrong, cos it might have been an older thread that I read it on... Nice to dream though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest troopermanx Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Just started the long job of chopping and grinding and reshaping my rubies,after seeing what Acrylikhans can do with it,I'm determined to have a go and see what happens. Just managed to enlarge the eyehole,open the ears out,chopped the cheeks off and removed the logo on the back today. Tomorrow starts with the welding wire and reshaping face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TB4952 Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 The primer seems to be okay- touch dry in about 15 minutes... I still leave it overnight to properly go off.. Which top coat did you use? I'm gonna end up going for a glossy "death-star" look for now- my weathering skills aren't brilliant, and I thought that if I wore the rest of my kit on my bike for a few trips it might weather up naturally.. Here's hoping, eh? There is one thing I needed clarified though- are there two shades of Grey on the bucket? The bolt covers and fish-hook look lighter on most of the finished ones I've seen, when compared to the other grey areas (snout, etc). If it's all the same colour, then it saves a bit of grief, but it's not a difficult thing to sort. cheers again. Hi mate for the bucket use Halfords Appliance white and the grey parts you need to use Humbrol No# 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Well, I've had to add another reinforcing bar around the chin area. That'll be the last time I leave it by the radiator then... The flare wasn't too bad, just annoying. On the plus side, it's not painted yet, so a bit more work won't hurt the finish. That and the weather's got to change a bit before i crack out the rattle cans... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jabbasdead Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Frank is a Rubies modding legend! but even then, I don't think he's had any of his buckets accepted for lancer. I could be wrong, cos it might have been an older thread that I read it on... Nice to dream though... Frank's helmet would meet Lancers status, he is making his own kit and just needs a few more pieces if I recall the last update on his build thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junglie Scout Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Dude, Theres plenty of guys who have modded DPs and Rubes. It's looking a proper job so far. Theres nothing like the satisfaction of doing it yourself!!!! Mine took what felt like an age and a pint of blood spilt but they do mod very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted March 8, 2011 Author Share Posted March 8, 2011 It does put a grin on my face when I get something else done on it. As for Lancer, maybe if I get another dirt-cheap one I'll have a crack at it. Think I might just get this one finished to an acceptable level for now... Thanks for all the help and tips though guys- probably wouldn't be at the stage I'm at without you all. And to be fair, the occasional ego boost you guys offer is always welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonewolf Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 The Rubies helmet is very accurate, I do believe it has been made with the original helmet moulds or was cast from an original. Why it is wrong in certain dimensions could be for various reasons only truely known by Don Post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukscout Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 looksgood so far, but take your time and break down the build into small stages / targets Keith on the RPF mentioned about putting the spray cans in hot water for a bit to warm up the paint inside the spray cans might be worth considering I think the rubbies helmets where made from the same molds Don Post? Jez from SW Helmets may have some info. I do recall somewhere that DP had to alter their molds making some minor tweaks to the over scale of their helmets so they where not 100% accurate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichArnold Posted March 12, 2011 Author Share Posted March 12, 2011 Okay, So I'm at the point where I'm just about ready to throw the bucket together, so there are the few finishing touches that need to be addresed: -Do the "comercially" available decals fit ok (I'm thinking MC?) I'm aware some trimming may be needed due to the slightly undersize nature of the rubies bucket, but will I have to cut great chunks out of them.... -Lense When and where... Ive seen the link in other threads, but a fiver for shipping seems a bit much... anybody in the UK found a cheaper alternative or willing to flog me a chunk suitable? Either way, I'm gonna try and get the bits for my boots this week (trying to build an R2 means I'm not scared of trying to build boots) and I might consider making a start on the undersuit... (Note: R2 made of wood, so maybe I'm suddenly not so confident... God bless Witness if I seriously screw up...) Other than that, this is my first costume build, and also (potentially) my first major online purchase.... it sounds a bit silly, but what exactly is the etiquette when dealing with somebody like MC? I don't want to blame where I'm from, but I am English... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scout_Trystan Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Okay, So I'm at the point where I'm just about ready to throw the bucket together, so there are the few finishing touches that need to be addresed: -Do the "comercially" available decals fit ok (I'm thinking MC?) I'm aware some trimming may be needed due to the slightly undersize nature of the rubies bucket, but will I have to cut great chunks out of them.... -Lense When and where... Ive seen the link in other threads, but a fiver for shipping seems a bit much... anybody in the UK found a cheaper alternative or willing to flog me a chunk suitable? Either way, I'm gonna try and get the bits for my boots this week (trying to build an R2 means I'm not scared of trying to build boots) and I might consider making a start on the undersuit... (Note: R2 made of wood, so maybe I'm suddenly not so confident... God bless Witness if I seriously screw up...) Other than that, this is my first costume build, and also (potentially) my first major online purchase.... it sounds a bit silly, but what exactly is the etiquette when dealing with somebody like MC? I don't want to blame where I'm from, but I am English... The stickers I got fit fine. The lens I used is just a welding lens. I got it from Gemplers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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