Firefighter Helmets

[medicrr]

I work as a firefighter for a living and recently decided to take part in this craft. I was interested in creating custom leather shields that mount to the front of the firefighters helmet. I was planning on doing some that are fully stamped and some that will have numbers and letters sewn to the shield. My questions are as follows.

1. What is the best way to cut out a number or letter arrox 1.5in to 2in to get the smoothest edges?

2. What tool would work best?

3. Havent seen flames done on any piece of work yet, Are there some tools that would work good in creating flames or is free hand the best way to go? :flame:

4. Also ive been searching high and low for how to videos ( not VHS )on any area of leathercrafting such as sewing, dying, stamping, etc. Is there a site that has these types of videos either for purchase or free?

Well thanks for the help, and im sure these wont be the last of my questions

RRR

PS ive added two files/pics of examples of fire dept. shields

Edited May 23, 2007 by medicrr

[Regis]

Welcome to this great forum. I can't answer all you questions and some will differ if you are making 10 or 10,000 per month. As far as videos, I'm sure there are plenty of places but, I've bought a lot from HideCrafters in Fort Worth 888-263-5277. Hopefully there are leatherworkers near you that will give you some starting instruction. Otherwise, order a intro book, a swivel knife, and some practice veg tanned leather. Lot of knowledge here when you get to specific questions.

Again, welcome,

Regis

[Art]

RRR,

Smoothest edges will be from clicker is it rolls the grain somewhat. Clicker is a press and the leather is cut by a die compressed by the clicker. You still need to finish the edges though for a professional look and so they will wear better. Sharp edges on leather become ratty with use.

The MC seat makers do flames all the time, check Beez in the show off section.

George Hurst (and many others) at Hidecrafters for videos. They have been working on converting all of them to DVD.

Art

I work as a firefighter for a living and recently decided to take part in this craft. I was interested in creating custom leather shields that mount to the front of the firefighters helmet. I was planning on doing some that are fully stamped and some that will have numbers and letters sewn to the shield. My questions are as follows.

1. What is the best way to cut out a number or letter arrox 1.5in to 2in to get the smoothest edges?

2. What tool would work best?

3. Havent seen flames done on any piece of work yet, Are there some tools that would work good in creating flames or is free hand the best way to go? :flame:

4. Also ive been searching high and low for how to videos ( not VHS )on any area of leathercrafting such as sewing, dying, stamping, etc. Is there a site that has these types of videos either for purchase or free?

Well thanks for the help, and im sure these wont be the last of my questions

RRR

PS ive added two files/pics of examples of fire dept. shields

[medicrr]

Got another question. i saw a video on youtube.com of a women who made a butterfly mask. Prior to carving the design she submerged the entire piece of leather in water till the bubbles stopped coming from this. Is this a common practice among leather workers? Also once you moisten the leather how long B4 you can start to work on it?

Thanks again

RRR

[pepin1948]

This is a process called wet forming. In order to shape leather for a mask, or any other item where leather is shaped (like leather roses, bowls, etc), you have to wet it all really good, then shape it. After it's dry, it retains the shape (in the case you mentioned, of the mask)

Leather is generally wet to some degree to work on though - it's called "casing". Personally, if I'm doing a smaller piece, I only dampen it with a sponge. If it's a big piece, I'll soak the whole thing and then let it dry off before I wet it again with the sponge to work on. Wetting it that way lets me see if there are any flaws I'm not noticing.

That's my .02

As was mentioned, check out the Biker/Tattoo section, you'll see some nice flame work. It's in the adult area, so let Johanna know you want in to see it.