New hat in the works [update Mar. 09] All Finished.

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:19 pm

A while back I asked a couple questions about head sizes for some starving student sale helmets I was wanting to make.
Well, today I got a start on the first one. I think it's going pretty good so far. What do you think?

The bands are all being burnished right now. Tomorrow morning they should be ready to assemble, then I'll be able to pattern out the panels. Hopefully by tomorrow evening I'll have the rest of the helm cut, shaped and ready to burnish over night. then on Friday I'm hoping to assemble the rest and start on the bar grill.

Oh, also I REALLY need to get myself some more Colecos, or at least more than 2 tiny bolts.

Ckanite · Post by **Ckanite** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:47 pm

Looks like you have a pretty cool layout there! i can't wait to see more!!

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:22 am

Today I got the panels, cheek plates, nasal, and slats for the back all cut and shaped. They're getting shined up overnight, and tomorrow I plan on assembling everything but the nasal, then starting on the bar grill.

I'm still trying to decide whether or not to try and chisel some eyebrows into the nasal. Anyone have any advice on that?

Ghostpig · Post by **Ghostpig** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:01 am

That looks nice, good job!

Pitbull Armory · Post by **Pitbull Armory** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:25 pm

Hi there Armourkris, excelent job on that helm! Thanks for sharing.

Take care

Pitbull

Ckanite · Post by **Ckanite** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:23 pm

If I were going to do eyebrows on it, I would raise a lighter sheet and make then on that and then rivet it onto the piece onto the assembly, but that's just to give the detail more depth and if it gets smashed hard enough a replacement would be easy to make as opposed trying to fix it on the nasal... but that's just my 2 cents...

Halberds · Post by **Halberds** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 4:19 pm

I like to use a dull chisel into a tin/lead block.

Helm is comming along nice.
Thanks for the progress pics.

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:25 pm

Alrighty, got it all finished up yesterday, so now it's time for some pics, cause I know you all like them.

So what do you all think? this is the third helm I've built, and my first attempt at this style.

I learned a fair bit making this helmet, including that bar grills are trickier than they look, and to never underestimate the value of good side cutters. I had to clip almost every rivet on that with the POS pair at my old place of work since I forgot my nice ones at home.

Benedek · Post by **Benedek** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:35 pm

That's sexy, very well done.

schreiber · Post by **schreiber** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:49 pm

I think the rivet work, and the flared edge on the bottom of the cheeks, are fricking awesome.

I'll be honest, though: I'm not impressed with the barwork. I think it would look much cleaner if it had a bar custom fit around the outline of the cheeks. But I know that's a PITA and I wouldn't have done it on a third helm.

Regardless, whoever ends up wearing it is a lucky person.

Sean Powell · Post by **Sean Powell** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:00 pm

Next time insert the rivet, mark the depth with the POS side cutters, remove rivet, cut with decent end-cutter, re-insert. Eventually you will see that you are removing the same amount from every rivet and can just clip a dozen or so at once. You might get one that is 2 short or two long but they can either be used elsewhere or discarded. A single rivet is not a large expense compared to the time and frustration of using poor tools.

The over-all shape is nice. The texturing is unique and adds character for an early period helm. The spacing between the vendal slats in back looks a little large. Are you certain it passes inspection there as well?

Sean

Pitbull Armory · Post by **Pitbull Armory** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:37 pm

Hi there Kris, Nice looking helm for sure, I like the domes and flares on the end of the slats. Keep up the good work.

Take care

PB

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:13 pm

Schreiber, I agree, I'm really not to happy with how the bar grill turned out. It doesn't show in the pictures, but the bar down the center is also a little off center. A fitted bar around the face opening is what I would have liked to do, but since this was my first try at making a bar grill i decided to try something a little more basic. I may try that for my next one though.

Sean, I thought about doing just that, but the POS side cutters were sadly the best i could actually find in the shop. next time I just wont forget my own tools at home

.

I dropped the ball on the slats on the back and didnt actually think to check them. I'm assuming it's a 1" dowel that they cant let through, just like a bar grill right?If that's the case the top openings all pass, but I'll have to add a second cross bar below the first to close up 2 of the lower openings. that's an easy fix though.

everyone else, I'm glad you all like it I guess that now i just need to make the necessary tweaks and figure out what to charge for it.

SyrTheo · Post by **SyrTheo** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:25 pm

Very nice lines on this helmet Kris!

Which historical example did you use for inspiration? I know there are a number out there, just can't remember where at this time.

Also check your PM's.

Best Regards,
EikBrandr

Kilkenny · Post by **Kilkenny** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:42 pm

I like the look of the helm very much, allowing for the bargrill

Regarding the slats in back, there's more of an issue there than an overly large opening. A second strap lower down will deal with this issue as well.

The thing I see is that each of those slats is a long lever with insufficient support. A shot landing cleanly on one near the end - which is entirely possible - could bend it quite severely. Give that length some support and the potential problem is cured.

The doming at the ends of the slats is a nice aesthetic touch.

Benedek · Post by **Benedek** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:45 pm

Kilkenny wrote:I like the look of the helm very much, allowing for the bargrill

Regarding the slats in back, there's more of an issue there than an overly large opening. A second strap lower down will deal with this issue as well.

The thing I see is that each of those slats is a long lever with insufficient support. A shot landing cleanly on one near the end - which is entirely possible - could bend it quite severely. Give that length some support and the potential problem is cured.

The doming at the ends of the slats is a nice aesthetic touch.

From what I see I don't think that bending will happen as extremely as what you are describing. The doming, flaring, and general shape adds strength to them.

Not that they won't get bent, but it's a matter of how much and how far they go. I don't think it would be any different than pounding a couple of dents out of a bascinet.