How To Make an Amazing MANDALORIAN HELMET | 3D Print & Build

In the first episode of Make / Do James and David show you how to make an amazing Mandalorian Helmet, complete with a beautiful beskar finish. 3D printing this Mando helmet prop build was the perfect way to celebrate some new Star Wars content.
If you are interested in joining our community, supporting the channel, and gaining access to additional perks, projects and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks be sure to check out our Patreon! - [ / makedothings ]
ENTER TO WIN THE MANDALORIAN HELMET REPLICA! (THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED)
Subscribe + comment on this video to enter. Learn how to gain additional entries on Instagram and Facebook. Deadline to enter: Midnight (EST), Friday 11/13/20. The winner will be announced during our next video.
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Facebook - / makedo.things
Rob Pauza's Mandalorian Helmet - v2 - bit.ly/3kHWYhU
3D Printed on the Prusa i3 mk3 - bit.ly/3mGp91D
Materials Used
eSUNN PLA PRO - amzn.to/3xKWGxa
Rust-Oleum Automotive Primer - amzn.to/3gZRGha
Rust-Oleum Gloss Protective Enamel - amzn.to/3zNjvlB
Visor - Sellstrom Replacement Window - amzn.to/3d6m7RF
Graphite Powder - amzn.to/3xKWYEg
Helmet Pads - amzn.to/3j3Psjy
Foam Weather Stripping - amzn.to/35InbXU
Adhesive Backed Foam - amzn.to/35Id7hL
Disclaimer: Amazon links are affiliate links
Other Materials
• Various Sandpaper Grits
• Emery Boards (for sanding and youtube ready fingernails)
• #0000 Steel Wool
• Needle Files
• CA Glue
• Hot Glue Gun
• Utility Blade
• Hobby Knife
Subscribe to Make / Do for more prop building from the makers, James & David!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
0:00 Intro
1:00 Sanding
2:29 Glue
6:36 Priming
6:45 Sanding (Again..)
11:33 Glue (Again..)
12:23 Cutting Visor
13:25 Graphite
14:51 Gluing Visor
15:33 Helmet Liner
18:04 Outro

[@make432]

Make sure to subscribe to catch our future Star Wars prop builds & more! New episode every other week!

[@seanscrafts]

This is next-level!

[@make432]

Thanks so much!

[@RayshellChill]

I watched this one mainly for the visor placement, I was going to use that 600 glue stuff. And well, going to use glue gun. I have a super tiny glue gun that uses small sticks. And I actually love it cuz it fits nicely is small tight spots. Thanks again. Love your work !!

[@make432]

Oh a tiny glue gun would be super helpful and way more precise!

[@ripstop1709]

This is my favorite mando helmet build so far! you kept all the small details and I love it. I noticed other builds overpainting the details and totally ruining it but this.. man good job guys!

[@make432]

Thank you, we're glad you enjoyed it!

[@claytonpurcell1582]

The ad tech pro 200 is a solid hot glue gun but its a little bit big. For a smaller hot glue gun id recomend a surebonder one

[@make432]

Thank you for suggestions! We will look into these

[@pswatty23]

This was awesome! Excited for what you guys will do next!

[@make432]

Thanks so much!

[@alexiswisor1005]

Love it! Great job guys!

[@make432]

Thanks for the encouragement and support!!

[@phillipandrew5095]

Fantastic! Love the powder finish!

[@make432]

Thank you! It blew our mind how it doesn't rub off and it really does look amazing!

[@thewhiteelk3584]

Lots of awesome tips and great job showing the process!

[@make432]

Thanks! Glad to hear it was helpful

[@everybodyneedsadave1122]

Looks great!!!

[@make432]

Thanks!! We love how it came out

[@prophet68]

That looks awesome!!

[@make432]

Thank you Clyde!

[@g-wizz.]

This is an awesome tutorial! You're steps and explanations make so much sense. You should definitely try the spot putty and acetone trick to make the fill part easier

[@make432]

Thanks for the tips!

[@GregoryHaynes]

Good work guys. It looks very nice. I hope to see many more Star Wars builds and droids too!

[@make432]

Thank you Gregory! Stay tuned, we mayyy have another Star Wars build coming soon ;)

[@buffaloboi1432]

Great video! I can't wait see more from you guys!

[@make432]

Thank you so much! Can't wait to show you what we're working on next, it'll be a smash ;)

[@buffaloboi1432]

@@make432 There's probably a lot of people saying stuff like this, but I'm generally interested in your channel and I'll be coming back! I can't wait for your next video!

[@animationandstuff6072]

That graphite stuff works REALLY well, great job

[@make432]

Right? It's a god-send. And we appreciate it!

[@tjaige]

that looks so cool

[@make432]

Thanks, this project is still one of our favorites!

[@seanrichardson31]

Looks Amazing!

[@make432]

😊 Thanks!

[@THXSwitch625]

Love this so much!!

[@make432]

Thanks, means a lot!

[@jasonbond8597]

Love the finish of this helmet!

[@make432]

Thanks! It's a really cool technique, excited to use it on future props!

[@dude19288]

Woo! that's pretty sick guys

[@make432]

Thank you so much!

[@ericwade152]

Looks awesome!

[@make432]

Thanks!!

[@Procuste34iOSh]

Amazing result, and very good video!

[@make432]

Thank you Procuste, we're glad you enjoyed it!

[@darylthederelict]

That is so sick!! Amazing job!!

[@make432]

Thank you! Nice helmet yourself!

[@darylthederelict]

Thank you. However it's a cheap poly one that lost its form not long after I took that picture. Lol. I WILL get another.

[@johnnyhalloween]

Damn ,good thing someone shared this with me. Just got a helmet and this was very informative.

[@make432]

Glad it found it's way to you!

[@CoachBabb]

Now that is screen accurate!

[@make432]

That's the greatest compliment we can receive, thank you!

[@danmorris1829]

Gotta say the finish on this looks amazing! If I had a 3D printer I’d try it myself

[@make432]

Thanks Dan! Feel free to check out this Punished Props vid if you'd be interested in making a foam version! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITYdnyDpc-SiZY

[@brog9353]

Awesome video thanks, im making my own this is very useful

[@make432]

Glad to hear it and good luck with your build!

[@TeaGamingPanda]

So glad you have fun with sanding 🥰 must be like going to Disneyland for labor!

[@make432]

95% of our time on a prop is just sanding... we love it haha

[@TeaGamingPanda]

@@make432 It’s definitely worth the time and effort! I love to see a before and after picture or in between process on others projects and even my own! Makes you really marvel at the work one has done

[@jamesshoemaker8993]

I've been super happy with the bauer hot glue gun from harbor freight.

[@make432]

Thanks for the recommendation! We will have to look into it!

[@mrfaceheadmanful]

Wow! What a great vid. Love the helmet

[@make432]

Thank you so much!

[@BrianDWest-pl6bt]

Ryobi Gluegun is awesome.

[@make432]

Oooh we'll have to check that out, thanks for the suggestion!

[@Wila960]

Nice work guys.

[@make432]

Thanks Wil!

[@RobPauza]

Just ran across this. Great work and thanks for the credit and link to my file. You guys did really well. 🏆

[@make432]

Thank you so much! It was a pleasure working with the files!

[@sethcoffman2910]

Can’t wait to see more of your vids. Dope helmet

[@make432]

Thanks Seth, more to come!

[@jahirsanchezlezama1750]

SO AMAZING

[@make432]

💛

[@VinhNguyen-np7qn]

Great build! Do you have the STL files with the registration holes in them available?

[@make432]

We do not unfortunately

[@RidinChevySolo]

This got sent to me today. Very nice job guys. Love the sarcasm humor and notices to not lick lol. Keep it up, I subbed.

[@make432]

Wow, we're so humbled! Thanks for subbing!

[@benjaminbuckley5839]

Great video. I am excited to see what you do next.

[@make432]

We're excited to share it with you!

[@robertbraun488]

Pretty cool stuff.

[@make432]

Thank you!!

[@jTrictrack]

the graphite powder was not something I would've thought about and makes this build 10x better than a spray paint finish

[@make432]

Thanks! We picked this technique up from Bill Doran at Punished Props Academy!

[@kylunrodriguez6027]

That looks super screen accurate

[@make432]

Thanks Kylun! The files we used were very well made!

[@kingburger2984]

Wow I really like ur vids

[@make432]

Thank you so much!

[@RDUBTutorial]

other great builds for the graphite application would be IG-11 droid head and General Grievous head

[@make432]

Oh those would both be amazing ideas!

[@shaunjedi]

Awesome video guys! love the smooth talking and just the focus on the helmet. Quick question, how did you guys get the registration holes and studs to help the helmet stay in shape for the super glue to do its magic?

[@make432]

Thank you! We added the holes and registration keys using Meshmixer

[@mochacanyon1267]

Amazing work on the helmet! I love the snarky humor and it was a very educational video, I learned a lot from it so if i don't win then I'll at least have a reference video for post production work lol. Amazing quality!

[@make432]

We love to hear it, if you end up building one we'd love to see it! Good luck in the contest!

[@mochacanyon1267]

@@make432 absolutely! I was blown away at the easy concept of using graphite powder. I made a very foreign audible noise when I saw the application of it and my wife came into the office to ask me if I was okay lmao

[@make432]

@@mochacanyon1267 It's a truly stunning effect! We've used it on a few projects and it gets the same reaction from us every time hahah

[@f4zed0ut]

This looks really accurate! How well does the graphite stick to the helmet? Unless there's some kind of sealant, wouldn't it just rub off everywhere?

[@make432]

We thought the exact same thing but it's actually fine without a sealant! It blew our mind!

[@DatFunnyPerson]

i did graphite and it rubbed onto my hand. maybe it is just about using the right powder

[@thomasmacfarlane8737]

Was scrolling through my feed and saw this. I expected it to be one of the bigger prop making channels. Your video quality is sick guys 😊 Looking forward to seeing more 💪

[@make432]

Thanks so much Thomas! Hopefully we'll be one of those bigger channels soon! Any ideas for future builds you'd like to see?

[@thomasmacfarlane8737]

@@make432 Star Wars related content is always awesome :) Any sci-fi weapons would definitely be super cool 😁

[@psballent]

Nice build! Please post the files with the registration pin holes.

[@make432]

Thank you so much! The creator of the original files has requested that no one redistribute their work - even altered versions of them - and we would like to honor that request.

[@ryanp8878]

Wow! That is really impressive! Is the final build wearable? What circumference head would it fit?

[@make432]

Yep it's definitely wearable! Theres a wide range it can fit, it really mostly depends on how you pad it!

[@RDUBTutorial]

great tutorial, love the graphite idea. I have a neptune max and want to print whole thing without doing it in parts. Does the model come as one piece and then you guys sliced it?

[@make432]

Yep it comes a single helmet - should make things a lot easier

[@schrikeiv]

Nice job...... you should upload your remix with the registration pegs would probably help a lot of people

[@make432]

We would love to but the creator of the file requested that no remixes are published, we can try to reach out to him and see if he's willing to make an exception!

[@ScottKasprick]

I've seen a few Mando Helmets done - this is the first I saw use graphite (Internet rule #1 - it doesn't matter if something is elsewhere, it only matters if they see yours first!) - got my sub for that! I just ordered my printer, if I do helmet, I'm going graphite!

[@make432]

Awesome, we highly recommend it! Our next video will include another use of graphite as well!

[@badlambandfish6288]

Do you have to spray some kind of sealer or clear coat after using the graphite powder?

[@make432]

Nope! It's surprising but once it's rubbed in, it doesn't rub off!

[@DatFunnyPerson]

to wich grid did you sand? 800? is it ok going up the grids every time or do you ussually do some grits double?

[@make432]

We usually only go up to about 320 - the high gloss black paint does most of the work in making a nice surface. However, the high grit you go the better your finish will!

[@physcosnake]

I'm so confused as to why there's so few views/subscribers, these tutorials are beyond fantastic

[@make432]

We appreciate your support!

[@laafeloos]

Hi guys, great video!. Can we download the files with the holes / pegs anywhere?

[@make432]

Thanks, we do not have the altered files available the original creator of the file we used requested that non one share altered versions.

[@tommywin7541]

How many cans of primer/paint did you need? And would it be bad to add clear coat after the graphite powder?

[@make432]

We just used one can of primer then the gloss black - We did not clear goat the graphite and it has held up for over a year now.

[@patrickdrabik2876]

does the graphite powder rub off every time that you touch the helmet? or does it dry or cure so it doesn't come off? I'm confused because I've seen many others try this method and it looks good but it comes off easily.

[@make432]

Shockingly no! It rubs into the paint and doesn't come off, we love this technique and just used it again for our Master Sword build. Thinking of using it on any projects?

[@bmokingofooo5307]

Can you use the black lid Plastic Wood X or should it be the pink lid specifically? Thank you!

[@make432]

They are pretty much the same - the pink lid version (plastic X) has a dye in it that goes from pink to a sandy color whenever the filler is dry and safe to sand. Otherwise they are the same!

[@bmokingofooo5307]

@@make432 Thank you!

[@BlahBlahYaga]

Maybe I missed it, but did you guys use a clear coat or something to seal in that graphite powder?

[@make432]

No! Surprisingly you don't have to, the graphite rubs into the paint and doesn't rub off!

[@ClonehhEdits]

Do you remember what size those registration pegs were in mm?

[@MrRobin810]

Looks amazing! But wont the graphite power come off after applying it? Did I somehow miss that you applied clearcoat or something? :D

[@make432]

We actually didn’t seal the finish and it has held up great!

[@HawsDaBaws]

how durable is the graphite powder? wont it just rub off with light touching?

[@make432]

It's shockingly very durable. It doesn't rub off at all with handling!

[@johnnyhalloween]

so do you have to put a clear coat after the graphite powder?

[@make432]

Surprisingly no! The graphite rubs into the paint and doesn't rub off!

[@wyattspop]

Can you make the pegs retroactively? How? Thank you

[@make432]

Retroactively would difficult, if you check out our stormtrooper build you can see how to assemble a helmet without alignment pegs

[@wyattspop]

I managed to get it together, no one really talks about how much stronger it is if you use a soldering iron to melt inside seams, works better than even the strongest glue, it's just the laws of physics, literally melting the pieces together vs glue on a thin-walled seam

[@josiahpeffer774]

That looks incredible! You guys did a great job both on the helmet and on the video production. Loved your humor and the awesome background music. I wanna lick it... OwO

[@make432]

James is informing me to tell you to not lick it... but I understand... - David

[@StumpyMcGee123]

Nice

[@make432]

Thanks!

[@mr_lucky_1797]

Should I put clear coat at the very end ?

[@make432]

We did not and it has held up pretty well over the last year!

[@Metz__]

you should do another Mandalorian helmet next like boba fett. that would be sick

[@make432]

Definitely! Would you rather see his fresh paint job or the dinged up version?

[@Metz__]

@@make432 oh the fresh paint job would be really cool because not many people have done it and I’d love to watch a video making a boba get helmet with the new paint job.

[@make432]

Subscribe & comment to enter to win this helmet! Good luck!

[@make432]

Congratulations to red_hairedash on winning the helmet!

[@pedrosa9836]

I'm about to print this helmet using these files and I was looking for a good way to glue them together. Your registrations pegs are a great solution, would you release the files? Thanks

[@make432]

Thanks! The original creator of these files requests we do not remix or redistribute the design. However we were considering doing a quick tutorial on how we edit .stl files using free software in the future.

[@ryanp8878]

@@make432 I'd watch that.

[@markdobson2225]

hi guys great video,what size did you print out at plz?

[@make432]

Hi Mark, this one we printed at 96% but it came out slightly small. We would recommend sticking with 100%!

[@markdobson2225]

@@make432 thank you 👍🏻

[@make432]

Of course 👍🏻 send us a pic if you make one!

[@sampapageorgiou5165]

Oc i subscribed immediatly.. a year and half later.. pfff plus the video came on my b-day

[@make432]

Oh fantastic, the ender 3x is fantastic machine - If you end up making one we would love to see the final product!

[@sampapageorgiou5165]

@@make432 ok, should i use raft to hold the pieces on the bed?

[@sampapageorgiou5165]

@@make432 oh and btw, you must be sooo busy... i'm really thankfull you took some time to respond to my comment

[@wyattspop]

Would you share the order of your sanding? I began with a palm sander using 80 grit to hand-sanding with 150 to 320 to 1000 (wet) is how I'm doing it now,. This is my first helmet, hope you don't mind the inquiry..

[@make432]

That is a great process and pretty much what we did. You should be able to get a nice shine on your final piece!

[@wyattspop]

@@make432 Thanks so much for the jolt of confidence!

[@Twissytailed]

💜💜💜

[@make432]

💛💛💛 Thanks!

[@xf4tx]

Siiiick. Now do Master Chief.

[@make432]

We're running on the 343 schedule ;)

[@sampapageorgiou5165]

Where do you guys live? I'd love to buy a helmet from you (keep in mind i live in europe, greece)

[@make432]

We are located in the US! And we do not have any current plans on selling final builds - specifically this helmet because the license on the particular file does not allow selling of any prints.

[@diegoarenaza5370]

What Kind Of witchcraft is this? Does The graphite powder just sticks by itself and Stays there ?

[@make432]

Pretty much! You might need to retouch a few high contact areas every few months or so, but otherwise it stays on!

[@cardffreak]

😍

[@make432]

💛🤩💛

[@printedpropscreations3017]

Noice

[@make432]

Thanks captain!!

[@williamkimmick3977]

If you use a raft instead of a skirt, you won’t have any s@!& to deal with ;) Love the tutorial! Keep ‘em coming

[@pswatty23]

Rafts are for professionals. I want to hear more about s@!$.

[@make432]

Thanks for the advice, I do think that may make it too easy for James though.. - David

[@make432]

Thanks Patrick, more s@!$ to come! -James

[@stephengarcia2167]

No clear coat????

[@make432]

Surprisingly it's necessary! The graphite really just bonds to the paint and doesn't come off!

[@Cofee117]

Who is James? I only know Bames 🤔

[@make432]

Bames ruined the first helmet, we had to do this while he was busy.

[@BazamO]

Nice tutorial but please get a different soundtrack

[@BazamO]

I did like the mando theme at the end though

[@make432]

First video problems 🤷‍♂️

[@make432]

Thanks!