Members Slimcut22 Posted February 19, 2014 Members Report Posted February 19, 2014 I have been making custom leather fire helmet shields for a few months now, any feedback is appreciated. We call our little business Big Hammer Shields, because sometimes it takes a big hammer to make them! Quote
Members engtrk Posted February 21, 2014 Members Report Posted February 21, 2014 Hello slimcut I too make helmet shields although i havent posted any pictures in a while. Your work looks top notch. Very unique desigin. I especially like the chiefs shield. The tooling with ths paint really gives an authentic gold leaf feel. Keep up the good work! Quote
Members Cyrex Posted February 21, 2014 Members Report Posted February 21, 2014 Very cool! And nice work! Quote
Members frenchy07 Posted February 23, 2014 Members Report Posted February 23, 2014 Very nice. Any chance you would share a full size outline? Son in law is a Firefighter/EMT/Rescue down in Florida and I would love to put one together for him. Quote
Members Mike 257 Posted February 26, 2014 Members Report Posted February 26, 2014 wow very nice work ! Quote
Members 262leatherworks Posted February 27, 2014 Members Report Posted February 27, 2014 Good looking shields. Quote
Members footrat Posted March 2, 2014 Members Report Posted March 2, 2014 I've always wondered how guys paint the lettering so cleanly. what's the trick? Quote
Members comfort Posted March 3, 2014 Members Report Posted March 3, 2014 Never seen that before very nice. Quote
Members bwillielv Posted March 3, 2014 Members Report Posted March 3, 2014 Very nice work! Frenchy07 I can send you an outline of my shields if you don't get a response. Quote
Members frenchy07 Posted March 4, 2014 Members Report Posted March 4, 2014 Much appreciated bwillielv. PM sent. Quote
Members Schultzt Posted March 5, 2014 Members Report Posted March 5, 2014 Those look sharp! I've been messing around with a few myself and have a few different templates I would be willing to share. Quote
Members Schultzt Posted March 8, 2014 Members Report Posted March 8, 2014 Slimcut22, I had someone approach me today about making a white shield. I haven't done a white one yet. Would you mind enlightening me on the process? I was gonna try white angelus paint and resoline on top. Any help would be appreciated Quote
Members engtrk Posted March 8, 2014 Members Report Posted March 8, 2014 Schultzt I have made quite a few white shields. I just make sure the leather is very clean, use the deglazer, and roll on the Angelus paint with a 2" foam roller. I usually use 3 coats, and then at least 2 coats of the Angelus paint finisher. And I always finish with a wax or shoe polish Quote
Members Schultzt Posted March 25, 2014 Members Report Posted March 25, 2014 Thanks for the reply. I will let you know how it turns out. Quote
Members firelarry28 Posted January 4, 2015 Members Report Posted January 4, 2015 I have a few questions. Since there are several different brands and models of helmets do you have to have a pattern for each or are they pretty much the same size. I know the screw holes are a little bit different. My department we all have cairns 1044 helmets so I cant really play with other types. Any help would be great Quote
Members Schultzt Posted January 5, 2015 Members Report Posted January 5, 2015 @firelarry28... I would imagine that all of the shields shown on the first post of this thread measure to be 6.25 inches or so. All helmets styles that have this visual appearance should be close to that. If someone has an after market parade shield holder or something like that it may be a bit taller. ( I made 10 for our honor guard that were a hair taller.) That being said you can compensate for a lot if you notch the top where the holder meets the shield. It will allow for thickness variances, bent holders, and height differences. I never punch screw holes unless I have the helmet in hand. I have had too much trouble with it even with a dept helmet in my shop. If it's crucial to the design I will figure it out but I try to avoid it. In my opinion its easy enough to do with a drill once you receive the shield. Quote
Members firelarry28 Posted January 5, 2015 Members Report Posted January 5, 2015 Do u know If there are any templates out there that I could find I haven't seen any The one on my helmet is pretty deformed Quote
Members Schultzt Posted January 5, 2015 Members Report Posted January 5, 2015 Just sent you a message. I will email you the templates I have. Quote
Members Slimcut22 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Members Report Posted January 26, 2015 Sorry for not replying everyone, for some reason it never updated me that there were posts in this thread. I use the same template size for almost all helmets, with the attatchment holes left undrilled so that the customer can attach them where it's needed. We use angelus paint and sealer to finish the shields. As for the painting of the tooling, my wife runs that portion, she is particular and takes her time to get them very clean and straight. Sorry I didnt get back on the template, my mistake. At this point we have built over 400 shields, and continue to do so, our website is Bighammershields.com. Quote
Members Slimcut22 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Members Report Posted January 26, 2015 Sorry for the delay in responses, I never got an update that there were replies here. It looks like the template was sent already, but to answer the questions; 1. We use Angelus paints and sealers when painting shields, several coats as nessecary. 2. Painting them is tough, its just patience and practice. 3. We use the same size templates for all shields, the final attachment holes are left to the individual. Quote
Members Slimcut22 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Members Report Posted January 26, 2015 A few more. There are a ton at bighammershields.com Quote
Members Ryan470 Posted December 30, 2019 Members Report Posted December 30, 2019 On 3/3/2014 at 5:32 PM, bwillielv said: Very nice work! Frenchy07 I can send you an outline of my shields if you don't get a response. can i get your outlines you use Quote
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