WOW! I have been getting a TON of requests/inquiries about the Daft Punk helmet. Most of these emails have very similar questions, so I figured I'd make a quick Q&A post that I can reference which will hopefully answer everyone at once.
If you don't want to read all the copy below, I don't blame you. I do tend to ramble.
Summary: I don't build things for money. I enjoy the process, the creative output, and the feeling when a new build comes together. This is the primary reason you see me decline so many offers for Portal guns, Daft Punk helmets, and anything else I've made in the past. I already have a 9-to-5 job that offers a multitude of repetitive tasks. I have absolutely no interest in turning my hobby into the same thing.
Due to this, I only have intentions to build a handful of the helmets, then step away and let other people try their hand at creating these glittering buckets.
Q: Is the helmet for sale?
A: No, this helmet was built for a client of mine and was constructed specifically for him. Unless he wants to sell it (not likely!) it is not available for purchase.
Q: Will you make me a helmet/are there other replicas you're willing to sell?
A: No. Many people have noted that in the background of several shots you'll see multiple helmets and blank castings. Some of these are even chromed. Over the course of this build, I've taken orders for blank copies in order to fund the remainder of the project, as it is an expensive piece to finish. The rest of my money goes towards rent and bills, so this hobby needs its funding from somewhere. As for the other chrome ones, those are duds from the chroming process. They're deformed and therefore unfit to sell.
Q: Will you make/Have you made Thomas' helmet?
A: A Thomas helmet is currently in the works, and you can use this FAQ as reference for that project as well. There are only a handful being produced, and they have owners.
Q: Can I buy a raw cast from the mold to make a helmet on my own?
A: Currently, no. I'm hesitant about taking on a lot of "blank" orders, as I do not own reproduction rights for these pieces. As I said before, helmets are only sold when I need funding for the project. Due to this, they are few and far between.
Q: Can I have your schematics/plans/illustrations/research notes?
A: On some scale, yes. My schematics are included in my client's budget; this is the case with all of my builds. Their payments cover the time in research and drawing of these plans. If you like, I can provide you with hi-res .eps, .pdf, or .ai files to help you in your build for a small fee. Keep in mind that typically these blueprints are the result of several hours of research and planning, then even more time drawing. The electronic boards and diagrams are not for sale, however. This isn't due to any proprietary thing, they're just a huge mess and very specific, and I don't have time to run tech support for people that want to buy them. To save us all some headache, I've just decided not to release the files.
If you're interested in the Arduino code used to generate the patterns on the helmet, please check out James Moss' website here. James is a programmer and web developer in the UK, and the extraordinarily talented guy responsible for the illumination control of Guy's helmet. He's released the code for public download to anyone who wants to take a crack at it!
I hope that answers some of the questions I've been getting about the helmet, and I truly am appreciative of all the attention its been getting. If I had the ability to make one for every person who has asked, I would! However, I am only one guy, working in his spare time at home. I can't possibly take orders for dozens of replicas, and I'm just plain uneasy about booking out time way too far in advance. To everyone who has asked me about these replicas: Thank You for your interest and your support of my work! Again, I really wish I could help out all the people who have sent me inquiries, but one guy can only do so much.
Finally, because I hate posts without pictures, here's a few images to tide everyone over until I can send out some finished shots of the helmet in all its blinking glory:
And one teaser video...
74 comments:
Looks great! You actually inspired me to complete my own Thomas helmet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1djmfozYIo
What are you using to secure the helmet to the head? I used velcro, but I was in need of a quick fix.
Hello
What is the price for a raw cast helmet ? (like the all white ones ?)
Email me there : lanneau.emmanuel@gmail.com
thank you
The background music to the video you posted is a sample from their Tron 2.0 soundtrack right? How did you get it?
Awesome job on the helmet btw!
FAT!
According to The Daily Swarm production cost of the original helmets was $14 000 each... Good luck!
Hi, I was in the effort of modelling a 3D helmet for an Ad. I would like to ask you if you could permit me to use your blueprints. You could send me them at gabrycir@hotmail.it . Your work is incredible, I've never seen so much effort put in these project and such flawless results! Keep it up!
Thank you in advance!
Holy Crap! I am a humoungous Daft Punk fan, and I gotta say the pure white version looked amazingly cool. I hope you can post a video of you wearing that with lights in it. It would pretty much make my entire year.
This is the best daft punk helmet replica i've ever seen, i'd love to buy one but i don't have any money so i might try and make one
Wow man, that a big help you gave me with the sculpting. I make masks and prostethics, and when I am sculpting I always used oil based clay(which is expensive) I went to the DIY-shop and bought a bunch of cans(? I don't know the English word) of expanding foam and it works pretty good, it is a different sculpting technique but its the end result and the price for the customer that counts right?
Thx a lot, I haven't learned this in school and allthough for some project I still will use clay, but for the rough work its going to be the foam!
a very pleased Toby.
ps: Have a nice wedding and thanks again.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to post your progress! You're first post inspired my buddy and I to make ours for next halloween and I've been studying your techniques and progress religiously!
Again, thank you! And best of luck with the final product, I can't wait to see it!
Cheers
I figured a Q&A post would be the best place for this... But i'd like to try making props myself so is there a way you could make a blog just citing your preferred materials, like what kind of expanding foam do you use and stuff? it would be a real help to learn from experience what you should and should not use and why
Hi Harrison,
SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!! The work you've done thus far is astonishing. I'm a huge DP fan.
As you mentioned earlier, I'm interested in the blue prints and a white resin mold for purchase. Would you mind emailing the pricing?
davy@deckhanddavy.com
Thanks!!
-Dave
Oh man I can't wait for the electronics post. I've been dabbling lately but since I only know physics and not engineering I'm full of fail.
That's some truly spectacular work, as usual. I'm awestruck.
Part 3! Bring on the electronics :D
Hey! Amazing Helmets and Congratulations on the Wedding! I just got married spring, however my wife is a Daft Punk Fanatic, if you could give me a price for the raw cast helmet and and the Blue print files and the rest of the files that would be great.
Please Email me here as soon as possible
Eliasib_R@hotmail.com
Instead of "gold" vacuum metallizing, try Spectra Chrome. sprayonchrome.com/index2.html They have a wide range of colors and they all look like shiny metal, not the typical "metallic" paint. I saw this on a SEMA show special on Speed Channel.
With your electronics expertise, I bet you'd find it fairly easy to build a rotational molding machine to cast the helmets. You'd have to make another piece to close the bottom of the mold and attach mounting points to the mold to hold it into the 2-axis rotator.
Rotational molding of catalyzed resins is becoming a big thing. Originally it was developed (and still extensively used) for making hollow castings of thermoplastics, usually polyethelyene, by spinning metal mold inside giant ovens. With a catalyzed resin, no oven is required.
if you could send me your blueprints i would be more than appreciative. You said I'd have to pay a small fee? Just let me know how much. E-mail me with all the details at jeffchao23@gmail.com. Thanks in advance!
hey, love the work, just like everyone else, i'm interested in the blue prints and the raw cast, can you send me an email with the information? email: calebzpena7246@gmail.com thanks
I'm interested in a raw cast helmet to!!! Get ahold of me at
beachc at gmail.com
Good Job, you do some amazing work!
hi....
what is the price for a raw cast helmet?
713hgonzalez@sbcglobal.net
thank you
Love your work!!! I would like to get both Daft Punk helmets from you.. Very serious.... contact me at djmtx@yahoo.com Thanks, M.
Would it have been simpler to have the helmet 3d Printed and then make an injection mold
Your work is amazing to say the least! I am quite the perfectionist myself but your attention to detail is outrageous! I plan to go into the Industrial Design field (I am a High School Senior) and understanding processes like the ones you used are essential in that field. I am looking to make one of these myself and was wondering how much it would be to get the blueprints or other knowledge of yours on this project? I don't exactly have accesss to some of the resources you do (high quality resins, vaccuum forming machines, etc.) so I was wondering if you have any ideas of how I could accomplish something like this project without those things? it si for my advanced atr school's senior spring show so any help is greatly appreciated! my e-mail is tourrr30@gmail.com. Thank you and keep up the amazing projects!
Hi, I am very interested in this helmet. I would like making him I even but the necessary stuff is binding. I thus wanted quite as my counterparts to know if you thought of realizing a series of helmet and the price. I live in France.
I also wanted to know if you could share the plans of the daft punk helmet and the portal gun? It's maybe to much...
There is my address gmail : welsch.clement@gmail.com
PS : Your work is awesome. So good continuation, and I wait to see with impatience your next project . Bye
How much would a helemet cost with out the LEDs and electronics clayler4@gmail.com
wath is the price of no lights helmet?????
Ok... Lets answer some questions!
First off, to EVERYONE who is asking about how much a helmet costs, refer to the FIRST QUESTION in the series titled "Is this helmet for sale?" - it says the following:
"No, this helmet was built for a client of mine and was constructed specifically for him. Unless he wants to sell it (not likely!) it is not available for purchase."
Short answer (again) no.
Other questions:
• Raw casts are $250, though I'm not making many more. Time to move on eventually.
• The helmet will be held in place with motorcycle-style helmet padding.
• If you're interested in the blurprints, I sell these for $5 a piece. Guy's helmet will come with the glove and ear piece blueprints as well. Contact me at volpinprops@gmail.com for more info.
• To the guy who said 3D printing and injection molding would be easier, you're insane and have no idea how much that process costs.
glad you finished it.
We did some photos you and I at D*con09, I had the thomas, and you had one of the flawed pressings of this helmet.
I put my Thomas build on hold since last D*con. I dont like doing the con in helmeted costumes anymore and doing something else this year, but if you are bringing this to the con (and I dont see why you wouldnt). I will dust off my Thomas one last time.
-Neuromorph
neuromorph(at)gmail.com
hi sir would it be alright if you send me a copy of the print out plans you used to make an illustration board prototype. if yes, please send it here, sneaka_twix@yahoo.com
I'm wondering if some people on here want to start a group and build of some of these helmets together? I think it would definitely help jump start things if we could work together.
Also, from a quick look at your circuits, it seems like they could be optimized to cut down on the number of resistors, or at least consolidate them and use a DIP package or something. Awesome helmet though, super jealous!
Hey, Im a huge DP fan, and am considering making my own DP helmet, I'd like to know how much the blueprints, scales, anything that would help would cost. Im not sure if I want them yet, if their free that would be great too! But Please E-mail me regarding the blueprints and files and what not, I'm highly interested in making my own, Though it may cost lots of money, it may prove to be a neat side project to work on, thanks a lot, email is:
phaljojo1992@gmail.com
Thanks so much for the blog, and have a nice marriage by the way
How much would you probably be charging for the helmets so i can save up by the time you take reservations again.
May i please buy a raw cast? i know in april you said you wouldnt be selling many more anymore. i just hope im not too late. This whole project is outstanding, but at least to me the shaping and molding you did to get you to the raw cast is the biggest trial and error. and id love to work on my own in some way ha.
let me know your price for a raw cast and ill send the funds! yoimadam@gmail.com
Hi
Your work is amazing and congrats for your wedding!
I want to make one helmet, the efect is so cool
I read de FAQ's, and I would like to know the price for the plans
Thanks for the attention
st21o0@gmail.com
I am very interested in this project please email me the details contracts etc
josh@joshcharlton.com
hi, how much those your blueprints cost? i really want one to start my own helmet, email me please: daniel_lezama@hotmail.com
thanx
I would like to commission you for some work. What is the proper way to request a quote. carmine.collaro@yahoo.com
Amazing work! And congrats on the wedding. Are blueprints still available to buy? Also, you mentioned back in April raw castings were $250 but that you weren't selling any more of them. Is this still true or do you have any more for sale? Thanks for your time.
Chris
darksim006@gmail.com
hi, im extremely impressed with your work. I'm currently working on a projext and would really like to know how you put together the lighting,, and if i need an arduino per breadboard or can i use just one for all the lighting components. please reply at nvagp19@gmail.com
thanks in advance
Hi, i want to make one of those helmet so bad.
I noticed that it caust so much to build one....so can you send me the cause of each part and the names of the substance and where i could possibly get? if you cant tell me every thing tell me the parts you could share with me. please.
My email is
hoon911225@hotmail.com
I would love to be able to purchase one of these!!! I'm so disappointed you haven't sent this out to a real manufacturer somewhere; it would be so easy considering all of the work you've done to program and build and print pcb's devise Arduino circuits, you'd make thousands! Maybe just sell the resin kits via a supplier and sell the Arduino software and pcb board schematics as a kit so individuals can have them printed individually. For over seven years I have drooled over the idea of having a real working Daft Punk helmet for Halloween and parties... Oh, I would also pay for disassembled and unpainted components; I can't express how badly I myself and many others would love to own one of these!!! btw, Arduino now has a fabric microcontroller, have you thought of making a light suit to compliment this helmet? Hell, you could even device a way to plug your phone into your jacket with this technology and talk into your sleeve... I love Arduino! Viva Italia!
Hey shoot me an email with your schematic pricing, jordanegert@gmail.com
thanks.
Hi, I admire your work, and Im huge Daft punk fan.
Can you send me your schematics?
Thank you.
Why did you keep coloring it red and gray repeatedly? it kinda confused me. and how did you make a replica of the mold out of metal?
hey man just wanted to know if its possible to order 1? cuz its been over a year now ^^
e-mail me @ sn0wd0gs@hotmail.com
i just want to ask one question how much is it for just the helmet no led or wiring just the helmet
Hey there, firstly, great work on all your projects I love the attention to detail and your openess to share your methods with us. I've recently started my own build in order to have it for halloween next year.
1) Did you ever consider putting led lights throughout the front, like the actual helmet has it. I understand this would have been a massive undertaking, and much more complex and expensive.
2) If you did, what were the immediate problems you ran into, and caused you to decide to stick with the led-less visor? I'm not even sure if you could buy that quantity of mulit-color led's. Maybe you contacted the company that was commissioned to create the original helmets LED Effects, if so were they helpful at all?
Thanks so much for everything.
Dylanbuffalo@gmail.com
gabrieldusk@gmail.com. i am interested in your work. Specifically this Daft Punk Build. If you are currently taking orders i would love to join that list. Thanks
Part 3! Bring on the electronics :D
sometimes i wish i had superheroe's powers, like superman's. but would be fine just be human like batman or you.
why not showcase this at our NAMM 2011 booth?
www.indamixx.com
ronaldjstewart@gmail.com
What is your fee for the schematics?
where is the plane of electronic circuit?
Your work is great! I originally saw it whilst browsing the internet and it inspired me to do something similar. I was hoping you could email me the schematics of the project, as I wish to embark on something along the same lines for my my final piece in art at school.
Please email at:
musicinspiration@hotmail.co.uk
Great work on the helmet. Iam now making a helmet of my own and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction on getting the right electronics like you used in yours? Would be alot of help thanks.
This is amazing! How much for the schematics? I definitely want to try to make one myself, despite the overall cost.
my email: manuel.segura4@gmail.com
did you ever think of using phone batteries the are rechargeable
Hi, I would like to buy your prints and schematics for the helmet. I'm making it as a school project. Please contact me at Robert@nabel.se
I'm a serious customer.
Stellar work! I was wondering I'd be able to have a copy of your research and blueprints (whatever you're willing to give) and I can pay your "fee" for them. Get back at me here: michii.vu@gmail.com
I'm a bored design student with a goal now.
Excellent work!
As with many others, I am interested in the blueprints and drawings of the helmet. Email me please at jablonskia23@gmail.com to let me know how much I owe you for this stuff
Thanks!
Love the helmet
I'd like to see these blueprints, contact me at neptunexiii@hotmail.com
Dittos, I'd love to see blue prints too, as I would like to build a helmet for Halloween this year!!! Cheers!!!
KrisMiller1982@gmail.com
Hello. I really think all your work is fantastic!!! Love this head and the portal gun and the laser rifle and the big daddy suit and... Wait. I mean I love all of the stuff you do. Keep it up.
And by the way. I'm a really big deadmau5 fan and want to make the mau5head but cant figure out how? That's why I wondered if u could try making one:P It had been fantastic!!!!
Thanx :)
Helloz I have been looking threw all your work and they are just EPIC !!!!!!!!!!!
I'm a bit of a crafting/building person my self and love building things
and id love to able to build my self a daft punk helmet and id just like to ask if you have building guide for making them to follow ?
I can understand why if you say no
just like to here your advise I rely hope to here from you soon keep up the grate work!!!!
you have inspired me to keep my self going :)
Adam <3
I like your outlook on the creative process. Artists rarely get into it for the money and some people fail to understand this sometimes.
Hi,
I'm interested in undertaking this build. If you would be able to email me at dottyiscool@hotmail.com - how much it would cost for the .pdfs. Also, as a quick question, how do you split the mastermold and the silicon mold? Do you cut it at the seam?
Cheers
Chris
Hi, I've recently undertaken a project making tali's helmet from mass effect and haven't been able to find anything for sale that even comes close to it. Since I don't have a vacuum form thing I don't even know how to begin. DX
I was wondering, since the visor is so similar to tali's if you'd be willing to sell just the vacuum formed visor?
I understand that your busy and don't want to make a pain out of your hobby, so I'll understand if you decline.
But if you somehow decide to help me out please let me know :3
thank you,
Staci (ppixies2@gmail.com)
I have a question.
where can i find those gel sheets you used as light filters?
If I had a Delorean and one of these helmet I would't need nothing else,seriously,nice job,all your work shows profesionalism keep going!
1 question, how much was spent to create the helmet?
wonderfull..wow...
How much would it take to just make a Manuel helmet without the LED lights in the visor or to buy a casting of mine own. Please email me the details at Haloninjaftw@gmail.com
Hi I was wondering if you can sell me the white mold an how much would it be you can email at anmar06@ymail.com or if you can't the blue prints would be nice thanks in advanced
hello apology would purchase schemes to make my own mask and could reach you to buy schemes theg4m321@gmail.com
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