Diving Helmet anyone?

[Wiscow]

I discovered a wonderful new idea for a case mod!
Introducing the Mark 5 diving helmet.
http://www.divingheritage.com/images/markvmettin.jpg
It has round windows to put fans with unique grills, various other holes and extensions to become buttons, switches, or connection points. You could run your water hoses through the air lines, perhaps an air pump could be apart of the water system.
I believe this could be one unique mod, in fact any diving helmet could work well.

To get a Mark 5 is almost impossible. They start at $200+ on EBay. Many are replicas, claiming to be originals. Even if I had an original it could weight 90lbs.

So I started to think of ways to make my own replica. Perhaps bend and pound it out of aluminum, or make it out of fiberglass, or some other material.
I don’t have the answers.

I post here hoping your many creative minds can help make this a reality.


Links

DivingHeritage - the worlds largest virtual diving helmet museum
http://www.divingheritage.com/
http://www.divingheritage.com/leverpumps.htm
http://www.divingheritage.com/markv.htm

edit: fixed your links for you. -moderator

[DaveW]

Wow, that's a hell of an idea! :)

Haven't a clue how to go about it myself, but i'm sure someone will drop in with a hint.

-Dave

[tybrenis]

Bad links.

And man, is that sure is one hell of an idea! I think that it would be really cool to see done, but I haven't really a clue on how to get it done.

[Rankenphile]

Great idea. Looking forward to it.

[Cevinzol]

Nice Idea.
but hacking an original for a comp case would be uncool.
I like the idea of making a replica. I saw a replica in a local furniture shop for sale as a decoration. I think they wanted 300+ US for it.
Making your own should be a fun challenge. I would use thermoplastic (ABS, styrene, kydex) and form it around a wood mold. You could touch up the seams with bondo and put a nice antiqued finish on it. I would stay away from aluminum because if you try to shape it into a bowl it won't stretch enough before a hole tears in it.

[Wiscow]

Links seem to work for me. Here are two more with pictures of vintage helmets.
http://www.hybdiving.com/history/helmets.html
http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/antiquediving/collectable.html

Reading about thermoplastics at wiki-pedia gives me the impression that they are for factory use needing big equipment to make it happen. Can I buy sheets and blow dryer them till they are soft and then push them into shape around a mold?

Could I use styrofoam to mold my shape but then coat it in something like polyurethane so it is hard and won’t melt under heat?

[OvRiDe]

I think if you break it down to the primary shape, you could get a good start by looking for an acrylic globe of sorts. Then just add modifications until you get it like you want it. With the right finish on it, you could come up with a really cool looking display. I figure a good source for acrylic globes could be found in lighting products. I would look for outside light fixture replacement shades. I would bet you could find something close to the right size or at least something you could make look proportional. Here is at least one example.. http://www.complast.com/lighting/SPHERES/index.htm

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

[TheNemesis350]

you could put fake windows over the holes in the front sides and top and fill it with water, and maybe a bubble machine so it looks like all your stuff inside is in water. just an idea

[Wiscow]

I like that idea. I was also thinking a LCD screen could be mounted behind a window and not only show your temps and play list but a fish tank or a face of some person inside.