Roman-esque soldier uniform - from cardboard!

Step 3 Form the helmet's shape and profile

Rough it out (images 1-3)

I sketched out a few ideas of what I wanted the helmet to look like (I should have looked at some real images on the web) and cut out a few pieces of cardboard. I taped these in place to get a feel of what the sizes would be like.

I'm a firm believer of test-fitting with tape, then secure it permanently.

Get started, get gluing

After I knew what shape I wanted to create, I curved a piece of cardboard so it fit most of the way around the circumference of the helmet. (images 4-8)

I wanted this to fold over and act as the curved section of the helmet. I cut long slits down the center of it so I could curve it and fold the flaps over. (image 4)

Other points

One crucial point in forming the shell is to flatten the cardboard as thin as it will go, this will allow you to mold the curved shape into the paper. If you don't, you'll end up with a folded (and creased) piece of cardboard. (image 4)

Pay attention to the direction of the corrugation (the lines) in the paper, this will help keep your cardboard smooth and crease free. -- Creases are ugly. (image 2)

I used my shins to make the main curve of the cardboard. Use anything that will sufficiently and easily curve your cardboard. (image 8)

Use hot-glue. Anything else is a waste of time. It's fast and perfect on cardboard.

Comments

[nuparu108]

why did you use corrugated cardboard i just used cordboard from an old cereal box and it worked fine.

[laernmoer]

corrugated was the strongest. I needed it to last a week, and it was the easiest to find. I had tons of it laying around waiting to be taken to recycling.

[darknessfalls]

what i do when i make helmets is to take normal white glue and paint it on with a paintbrush. then i sand it very lightly so paint will stick better

also, steaming the cardboard might make it easier to bend

[laernmoer]

you should use staples first to make sure that it's the right fit. THEN you glue it together.

[laernmoer]

oops, I stated above to use tape. Both will work, but tape works better

[no0BeR1068]

The hlemets the hardest!! I put hot glue on it , then it dried i put it on my head and was so tight. I cant break it cause it took me a whole day too make the hekmet.m OMG!!!!!!!!!!!

[no0BeR1068]

Awesome im working my way to make one of these. The only thing i did different was the body armour!!!!! I love it can you try to make some more???