Do-It-Yourself Helmet Kits?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue May 12, 2009 3:54 am

Hi,

Who sells Do-It-Yourself Helmet Kits?

With respect,

-Aaron

Tuomas · Post by **Tuomas** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:32 am

http://www.zweihammer.com/

He has a viking helm kit and a Roundface Crusader helm kit.

He is a really awesome guy!

NeeSayer · Post by **NeeSayer** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:41 am

I know halberd was doing them for a bit too.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue May 12, 2009 6:17 am

What would go with the Valsgarde 6 or Tophhelm helmets?

I'm looking to finish out my "light-flight" suit, and possibly get kits for my kids to make their own helmets.

Would "hidden armour" work with either helmet?

Does anyone have an example of a SCA fighter wearing either kit in combat?

With thanks!

-Aaron

PS: This would be a GREAT "father-son-and-daughter" project!! IF I get one, I'll order three.

Sir Guy · Post by **Sir Guy** » Tue May 12, 2009 6:50 am

I believe Sir Tascius has made both of these helms. You might want to drop him a line.

I will give him a call and ask as well.

Sir Guy

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:05 am

Thank you Sir Guy!

Nicholas is 5 foot 4 inches tall now, and 130 lbs. My suit is nice, but it's not a good role model for him for the SCA. If Nick, Caitlin and I can make the Valsgarde 6 helmet, I think that would work for all three of us and we can "fence" with spears in the backyard. Caitlin needs to grow a bit before we make her helmet, but she would know that she's next.

I've almost got the "light-flight" suit done, and this helmet would finish it off I think.

With respect,

-Aaron (Will)

Linse · Post by **Linse** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:20 am

Hi,

At the fighter training I have been to of late the King of Lochac (Australia) has been wearing one of the viking style ones, it looks rather cool with the suit of splint mail

Regards,

Linse

Gilebert · Post by **Gilebert** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:58 am

I built the Valsgaard kit. One note.. you need to watch the ocular openings... unless Zweihammer has made a change, they tend to be just a bit too big to pass SCA with out a small piece of 'bling' to tighten up the ocular... a one inch gauge will go right in and rattle.

Now, I will say that it is a really nice kit to work with and can be built by anyone with a small amount of metal working skills. It comes standard as all flat stock... but I believe you can get a couple of the pieces pre-formed.

Some dishing is required, but it is minor. The hardest part might be making the center ridge/crest piece.

Both of these would work very well with hidden kits.

Sean Powell · Post by **Sean Powell** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:03 am

I've built both. Or let me say that both have been built in my shop to a greater or lesser degree by be. I would recomend either as a good project for a newer armorer attepting a first helm but with a little experience doing other shaping.

If you go with the topf helm save yourself the stress and get it pre-dished and flanged. It's damn well worth it.

The V-6 kits are easier although more pieces make them fussier and possibly more time consuming. Of the 3 I've done I've settled into certain standard modifications. Instead of creasing the back slats inward I bow them outward and then put in an anticlastic curve at the bottoms (Yay Halberd custom stakes) I then connect them with a single 1/2 bar running all the way around the back instead of 7 short bar sections... I find the anticlastic shape fits better under a maile drape.

Either of these helms can be done as a slap together rush job or put together with care. Rush-jobs can be as little as 8 hours and they look like it. The last V-6 I did had 80 hours in it between myself and the wearer as we deburred, shaped and polished each piece individually and then did a heat blacken to it. Frack, the suspension liner it it probably took 4 hours by itself. That was a pain (but worth it)

Sean

Sean Powell · Post by **Sean Powell** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:06 am

Aaron wrote:I'm looking to finish out my "light-flight" suit, and possibly get kits for my kids to make their own helmets.

Oh yeah. Given the propensity for the airlines to loose luggage, would you rather they loose a cheap helm that you have hours of time in or an expensive helm that was sitting on a shelf? It's an important question to ask yourself before the airline tells you your armor was accedentally shipped to zambia.

Sean

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:16 am

Ouch.

I've put a feeler out for a "SCA generic, mild-steel, well-made, used" helmet. That might be the trick. I'm going to cover it with velcro anyway.

-Aaron

Talan Gwyllt · Post by **Talan Gwyllt** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:40 pm

With Sean's help I have built the Topfhelm. My helm is all 12 guage stainless. Not a light helm at all. Mind you I have some of Knut's welded chainmail on there too. It's a great helm for demos and such. But I am returning to my old helm for a number of reasons. (Considering building a new norman conical as a regular fighting helm).

Overall it was a lot of time and effort! It was very much worth it to have something so cool! Sean is right. Get it pre-dished and flanged. It's worth the money. I am still proud of the helm.

Sixth picture down.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... sc&start=0

Randy W · Post by **Randy W** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:42 pm

Aaron,

I have one of Hal's Carlos Spangelems I could sell you, I think it was $90 + shipping, how about $90 shipped if you want it

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Tue May 12, 2009 1:51 pm

I sent a money order to Cadfael_Mynnydd for his used helm.

With thanks,

-Aaron

Garreth · Post by **Garreth** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:24 pm

Sean Powell wrote:I've built both. Or let me say that both have been built in my shop to a greater or lesser degree by be. I would recomend either as a good project for a newer armorer attepting a first helm but with a little experience doing other shaping.

If you go with the topf helm save yourself the stress and get it pre-dished and flanged. It's damn well worth it.

The V-6 kits are easier although more pieces make them fussier and possibly more time consuming. Of the 3 I've done I've settled into certain standard modifications. Instead of creasing the back slats inward I bow them outward and then put in an anticlastic curve at the bottoms (Yay Halberd custom stakes) I then connect them with a single 1/2 bar running all the way around the back instead of 7 short bar sections... I find the anticlastic shape fits better under a maile drape.

Either of these helms can be done as a slap together rush job or put together with care. Rush-jobs can be as little as 8 hours and they look like it. The last V-6 I did had 80 hours in it between myself and the wearer as we deburred, shaped and polished each piece individually and then did a heat blacken to it. Frack, the suspension liner it it probably took 4 hours by itself. That was a pain (but worth it)

Sean

Sean, is that the helm that my squire brother Finn has?

Irishbull44 · Post by **Irishbull44** » Wed May 13, 2009 11:44 pm

Randy W wrote:Aaron,

I have one of Hal's Carlos Spangelems I could sell you, I think it was $90 + shipping, how about $90 shipped if you want it

Just out of curiosity what does this kit look like? I guess I should try and search first but I am feeling a bit lazy this evening.

Take care and be well,
Brogan.

Sean Powell · Post by **Sean Powell** » Thu May 14, 2009 8:15 am

Garreth wrote:
Sean Powell wrote:The V-6 kits are easier although more pieces make them fussier and possibly more time consuming. Of the 3 I've done I've settled into certain standard modifications. Instead of creasing the back slats inward I bow them outward and then put in an anticlastic curve at the bottoms (Yay Halberd custom stakes) I then connect them with a single 1/2 bar running all the way around the back instead of 7 short bar sections... I find the anticlastic shape fits better under a maile drape.

Either of these helms can be done as a slap together rush job or put together with care. Rush-jobs can be as little as 8 hours and they look like it. The last V-6 I did had 80 hours in it between myself and the wearer as we deburred, shaped and polished each piece individually and then did a heat blacken to it. Frack, the suspension liner it it probably took 4 hours by itself. That was a pain (but worth it)

Sean

Sean, is that the helm that my squire brother Finn has?

Finn has one of them. His was the first that we did the anticlastic back slats to and I liked it enough to do on Wenthelens as well. On Finns we shortened the nasal, did a 1/2"x1/8" riveted bar portion for the mouth, powder-coated it and hung a maile drape. I believe he uses a fabric liner stuffed with padding.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/267 ... 27a391.jpg

Wenthelens was the one with the experimental suspension liner. I don't have pictures available.

If anyone is wondering, I HIGHLY recomend these kits.

Sean

Randy W · Post by **Randy W** » Thu May 14, 2009 9:06 am

Irishbull44 wrote:
Randy W wrote:Aaron,

I have one of Hal's Carlos Spangelems I could sell you, I think it was $90 + shipping, how about $90 shipped if you want it

Just out of curiosity what does this kit look like? I guess I should try and search first but I am feeling a bit lazy this evening.

Take care and be well,
Brogan.

Brogan,

This is Hal's pic of a completed one:

Irishbull44 · Post by **Irishbull44** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:37 pm

Randy W wrote:
Irishbull44 wrote:
Randy W wrote:Aaron,

I have one of Hal's Carlos Spangelems I could sell you, I think it was $90 + shipping, how about $90 shipped if you want it

Just out of curiosity what does this kit look like? I guess I should try and search first but I am feeling a bit lazy this evening.

Take care and be well,
Brogan.

Brogan,

This is Hal's pic of a completed one:

Ahh yes...I remember them now. Nice helm. Now if only I had the ability to actually put something like that together. Does he make one that goes together like a snap-fit model? That would work nicely.

Thank you for the reply and for posting the picture.

Take care and be well,
Brogan.

Irishbull44 · Post by **Irishbull44** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:41 pm

Randy W wrote:Aaron,

I have one of Hal's Carlos Spangelems I could sell you, I think it was $90 + shipping, how about $90 shipped if you want it

I guess I should post all of the information I want to before hitting the submit button.

Randy do you still have this kit available? May I ask what size it is meant to fit and what gauge the kit is made from? I am assuming it is mild steel.

Take care and be well,
Brogan.

Randy W · Post by **Randy W** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:50 pm

Brogan,

Yes, I still have it.

I think it is adjustable in construiction from 23 to 25", I believe it is 14ga and it is mild (it's still in the box Hal sent it in)

Randy

Irishbull44 · Post by **Irishbull44** » Sat May 16, 2009 2:21 pm

Randy W wrote:Brogan,

Yes, I still have it.

I think it is adjustable in construiction from 23 to 25", I believe it is 14ga and it is mild (it's still in the box Hal sent it in)

Randy

Thanks for replying again Randy W.

I know the offer you made was not to me however I am interested in it. I was just looking around here on the boards for the thread regarding that helmet for further information so as to not bug the heck out of you regarding it.

Any chance you might have the link to said thread available? If not I will keep looking for it.

If you are open to selling the kit to me would you like me to contact you via PM?

I am off to take part in a Demo but will be back this afternoon.

Take care and be well,
Brogan.

Hrolfr · Post by **Hrolfr** » Sat May 16, 2009 2:45 pm

Gilebert wrote:I built the Valsgaard kit. One note.. you need to watch the ocular openings... unless Zweihammer has made a change, they tend to be just a bit too big to pass SCA with out a small piece of 'bling' to tighten up the ocular... a one inch gauge will go right in and rattle.

Now, I will say that it is a really nice kit to work with and can be built by anyone with a small amount of metal working skills. It comes standard as all flat stock... but I believe you can get a couple of the pieces pre-formed.

Some dishing is required, but it is minor. The hardest part might be making the center ridge/crest piece.

Both of these would work very well with hidden kits.

You got yours done? I'll give you a holler next time I'm in GR to get a peek at it.

Bear (from Starleaf Gate (the nip of Canada in the Middle, and one of Sir Michael AuCluin's squires)) built one (Valsgarde). He had the same problem with the occulars, which he corrected with a bit of brass work, which looked quite nice.

I 'may' get one of the crusader helms for my forays into the 'later days'. Of course, that depends on the job situation :roll:

That would give me a nice project for next winter, also (like I really need another :lol:

)

Randy W · Post by **Randy W** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:59 pm

Irishbull44 wrote:
Randy W wrote:Brogan,

Yes, I still have it.

I think it is adjustable in construiction from 23 to 25", I believe it is 14ga and it is mild (it's still in the box Hal sent it in)

Randy

Thanks for replying again Randy W.

I know the offer you made was not to me however I am interested in it. I was just looking around here on the boards for the thread regarding that helmet for further information so as to not bug the heck out of you regarding it.

Any chance you might have the link to said thread available? If not I will keep looking for it.

If you are open to selling the kit to me would you like me to contact you via PM?

I am off to take part in a Demo but will be back this afternoon.

Take care and be well,
Brogan.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=72866&highlight=carlos