Leather Helmet repair

[ob3044]

Does any one know any tricks to repair a crack on the brim of a new yorker. I've been in contact with Cairns and they've been no help. Thanks

[SafTeeTech]

Now that Cairns & Brother has been bought out by MSA, it's near impossible to get any assistance.

A few years ago, I dropped my N5A. A friend from FDNY suggested that I use BONDO- the two part auto-body repair compound. It worked great!! You mix it up, place it as needed into the crack, and follow yhe directions for sanding & painting. It withheld pretty good for a few years, until it got pretty warm one night- then it bubbled!! I just sanded out the bubbles, and re-painted....good as new!

[DrInferno]

Why wouldn't you just replace it? I imagine if its broken open it's suffered a good blow and done its job of protecting your noddle, But now its damaged and it's not going to be as effective in saving your skull a second time. It's your head but I think you would be a lot safer and probably a lot better off to retire that old lid and be thankful it did what it was suppposed to and hopefully a new bucket can be just as good at protecting your cranium. As for the manufacurer giving you tips on helmet repair that would probably open up a lawsuit if it was found that your helmet repair was authourized by the manufacturer and the repair failed. Besides the fact that they are in the business of selling new equipment so they would be cutting their own throats by fixing all the old crap.

[efdtower1dr]

I've heard of people using either bondo or even "J B Weld". If it is damaged that bad, it should be replaced and retired to the mantle or the wall.
Keep in mind that safety is the bottom line. It is better to talk to you than to talk about you. :)

[FyredUp]

ob3044,

My question to you is this: How old is your helmet?

My reason for asking this is that I had a Sam Houston less than 5 years old that the rear brim simply cracked and fell apart. I'm talking chunks falling out of it. I too talked to Cairns and they recommended Bondo. Well I tried that and it worked great until the first time I dropped my helmet (the repair broke) and then the first time I saw any significant heat the rest of the repair came apart. I contacted Cairns again and expressed my displeasure with the short life of the helmet and their poor repair advice. After several letters and phone conversations they replaced the shell for free but I had to pay $125.00 for a new set of guts for it (ratchet head band and earflaps). While not exactly what I was looking for it beat the then $300.00 for a totally new helmet.

I have no experience dealing with MSA / Cairns so I don't know if this type of thing would happen today. I do agree that I would replace the helmet if they won't repair it at the factory.

By the way my next leather is going to be a Paul Conway. They are lighter and quite a bit less money.

Good luck,

FyredUp

[W Evad]

Hi All
I am a retired FF from London UK.
The guy on the forum that says ‘Get a New Hat’ just not understand. One becomes attached to one’s hat (fire helmet). One’s hat has been in a lot of dodgy situations with its wearer. With time, one’s hat almost becomes a good luck talisman. A good old battered and chipped hat as everyone knows, denotes a good old experienced fireman.
In the UK we get issued with our fire helmets at no cost. I still hung on to my old one’s till they rotted around my ears and had no choice but to requisition a new one. Then not until I had been through a few hairy experiences with it, did I grow to love it.

[DrInferno]

Dave W: I totally understand what you are saying. I have a couple of old "hats" at my home to and they are here because they are unsafe for firefighting. When I do receive a new helmet I take my good luck charms (pics of the family!) out and install them in the new one and hopefully the good luck continues!! As for the battered look denotes a good old firefighter sure but a new helmet may just as well get you through to being a old firefighter by saving your head!!

[ob3044]

thanks for all the ideas brothas. The helmet has been replaced but i wanted to repair it anyway. I actually sent it bact to Cairns and they sent it back. They said it was
" to severe to repair." The Lid is less than 5 years old. So I guess I'll try Cairns again. If that don't work the bondo route sounds pretty slick. Thanks

[FiRsqDvr45]

[ 11-07-2001: Message edited by: FiRsqDvr45 ]