So, I don't know how to start this, but this project was a doozy.

I “started” this project back in high school. I don’t remember the exact date, but I started this project sometime after my Deadmau5 Helmet (another project). I had a great time working on that project, which got me semi-familiar with the workflow of a project and got me used to planning, creating schematics, using fiberglass, sanding, painting, etc.

I started this project using styrofoam, air modeling clay, and a schematic I found online for the basic profiles of the helmet. The plans did not have any dimensions so I winged the initial measurements for the helmet.The project got decently far, but I was to head to Santa Cruz for College and did not have the time to work on it. I was also not 100% happy with the initial helmet size and appearance, so I was looking for an excuse to leave it be.

(If I find the photo, I will update this page)

Fast forward to late 2020, after graduating from college and returning home, I got my first ever 3D printer! I've worked with printers before but have yet to own one myself. Unfortunately, I then promptly returned it. I encountered issues with the printer out of the box with splayed wires that I would have to solder myself(which I’ve never done since that point) and an extruder that was already jammed, among other issues I had with it. I then got myself a Creality Ender 3 v2 as a replacement. 

After getting the printer set up and taking my time to understand my printer fully, I started to print the first parts of the helmet in March 2021. I got the model from here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3450176

Everything started great, with no issues or anything out of the ordinary. Progress was a bit slow since I only had one printer and could print one part at a time due to the small size of the printer build, but progress was going.

After a spontaneous desire to upgrade my printer, I changed various parts of it to allow it to print bigger, faster, and quieter. At the time of writing, the printer was no longer the exact one I had initially bought. The only original part left of the printer is the power supply. I’ve rebuilt the printer, reflashed firmware, and tuned settings so much that it's second nature now.

I then continued the prints in July, preparing more parts for the helmet. I was also beginning the start of other projects for friends of mine during that time, such as Shang-Chi Rings for Halloween, so I only had a little time for myself and my projects. Work was also a big factor in taking my time with this helmet. I also had the motherboard of my printer die on me in September, so having to replace that took time and money I didn't have, but I eventually got it done. Since I didn't have a time limit on the project, I took my time and worked on it casually. No rush, right?

That was until a friend told me and my friend group on October 13th that she would host a Halloween party. I don't know quite what I was thinking, but I decided that I was going to go as Daft Punk. Remember, I only had 80% of the helmet printed, not sanded, primed, painted, etc. And that's not including the electronics, which was another pain point. So, in the end, I had two weeks to do everything.

So, I had a lot to do within that time frame. A hell of a lot. I would love to explain it to you over text, but I could write a novel on it. To sum it up, within two weeks, I learned how to solder electronics and use the soldering iron to weld the 3D-printed pieces together. I learned CAD to generate templates to make my life easier for soldering LEDs. I learned the importance of choosing your paints carefully, which caused the gold on my helmet to turn out differently than I would have liked (different brand paints can react very severely). I learned how to thermoform plastic for the visor, the basics of electricity on how to power 200+ LEDs correctly, and the basics of programming the LEDs to generate lighting patterns for the helmet. To the person reading, if you are wanting to learn more, I’d love to talk to you about it.

Overall, I'm happy with how it ended, but I'm not entirely done with this project. Helmet V2 is in the works and will be even more ambitious, but this time, I'm giving myself more than two weeks.