ChaChi Report post Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) I did his helmet shield 3 years ago and it's held up well until a big fire a couple weeks ago. It finally gave it up in a upper level house fire with temperatures estimated around 1000 degrees. I just had to make him another with new and improved design. Edited February 18, 2009 by ChaChi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrooperChuck Report post Posted February 18, 2009 Excellent work! Thanks for sharing the pics with us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rawhide1 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 ChaChi Nice looking shield!!! Are all your alls shields painted. Thanks for posting. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 19, 2009 ChaChiNice looking shield!!! Are all your alls shields painted. Thanks for posting. Mike Thanks Mike. So far they've all been painted but I'm working on a commemorative plaque right now with a shield on there that will have a western floral background and I'm NOT painting that one (well, maybe the letters). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HellcatLeathers Report post Posted February 21, 2009 What gold paint or dye did you use? I have a customer that wants some gold leaf or gold sparkle in his design. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 21, 2009 What gold paint or dye did you use? I have a customer that wants some gold leaf or gold sparkle in his design. I was using the cova color gold from tandy in the begining but now I use a brand from the Wal Mart craft section called FOLKART pure gold. It's like a $1.50 for the small bottle and 3 bucks for the bigger one. Goes on great and covers really good. Haven't had any problems with it yet. I just painted it on the leather after texturing it with a backgrounder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdmullins8 Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Is there one specific backgrounder you prefer? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 21, 2009 Is there one specific backgrounder you prefer? I use the craftool e-294 series on these helmet fronts. They come in 3 different sizes so get them all. The bigger ones save time and the tiny one gets you into all those impossible spots. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fire Report post Posted February 23, 2009 How are those shields attached to the helmets? Do the leather helmets have some mounting hardware installed from the factory? I've made a couple prototypes for the Bullards we use (not leather) and I am debating using snaps/velcro. Do you know of any possible problems with making holes in a fire helmet for installing hardware? (NFPA/OSHA) I appreciate any help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 23, 2009 How are those shields attached to the helmets? Do the leather helmets have some mounting hardware installed from the factory? I've made a couple prototypes for the Bullards we use (not leather) and I am debating using snaps/velcro. Do you know of any possible problems with making holes in a fire helmet for installing hardware? (NFPA/OSHA) I appreciate any help. The leather helmets have 2 screw studs sticking out of the front from the factory. What you see on the face of my fronts are the chrome acorn nuts that attach to them. I would NEVER go drilling holes in any helmet to mount a shield up there, but I don't think velcro would hold up tp the heat. Don't Bullards have a factory mounting block behind the shield on the helmet for the lower screws to bolt in to? They know a shield will be mounted up there. Surely there's something. The Bullard factory is actually about 15 minutes down the road from me. I may have to check that out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fire Report post Posted February 25, 2009 We use the FX style helmet. There isn't any kind of factory mounting hardware. Here is a link. Bullard Helmets Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted February 25, 2009 We use the FX style helmet. There isn't any kind of factory mounting hardware. Here is a link.Bullard Helmets Yeah Ive never seen a leather shield mounted on that type. Ususally they just have a department sticker or appparatus ID up there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fyrpiper Report post Posted March 2, 2009 What type thread do you use to sew your fronts together. I have been toying around with some different designs and already have a few guys interested in a custom shield if I ever figure it out. Also, what do you use to finish your shields with? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChaChi Report post Posted March 2, 2009 What type thread do you use to sew your fronts together. I have been toying around with some different designs and already have a few guys interested in a custom shield if I ever figure it out. Also, what do you use to finish your shields with? I just use 277 thread with a tippmann boss stitcher and they're usually finished with super sheen or polyurethane gloss for woodworking projects. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
