Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nick Devries on April 6, 2010 at 3:27pm

maybe it's just me, but my fear there is that the paint will be softened too much, and when you go to handle it, it will peel off. if that's not the case, does it chip at all when you're bending it? do you have any pics of your bend lid you could share? i'm looking to do a bronx bend with a little bit of a cowboy curl.

Permalink Reply by Mac Conant on October 7, 2010 at 9:48pm

I think my helmet has a Bronx bend..I bought my helmet used because I wasnt sure if I was going to like having a Leather or not. (Love it now..tho the front pad does hurt my head after a long time of wearing it. Anyway..the curl seems a little extreme to say the least. I wonder if this tech would work for..say..backing Off on the bend some? Or if getting in a hot fire and then bending it back would hurt the leather/paint?

Permalink Reply by Boston on October 23, 2010 at 5:01am

STEAM. TAKE A TEA POT AND BRING THE WATER TO A BOIL. THIS GIVES A FOCUSED AREA OF STEAM. RUN THE BRIM OF THE HELMET THROUGH THE STEAM AND HEAT IT UP. THIS CAN'T BE RUSHED. ONCE IT IS HEATED UP SLOWLY MAKE THE BENDS. THE HELMET WILL REHARDEN QUICKLY. JUST REPEAT TILL IT'S SHAPED THE WAY YOU LIKE IT. THIS DOES NOT HARM THE HELMET OR THE PAINT. IF YOU WEAR LEATHER GLOVES YOU CAN WORK IT WHILE OVER THE STEAM AND IT WILL GO A LITTLE FASTER. I'VE DONE THIS ON ALL MY LIDS AND OTHERS. IT MAKES FOR NICE CLEAN BENDS.

Permalink Reply by Michael J Burke on October 24, 2010 at 5:08pm

I was in a training fire a few years back and it was really hot. My buddy stopped me as we were exiting the building and bent the back brim of my helmet back. It looks really cool and still holds up to this day.

Permalink Reply by Mr. Trout on November 16, 2010 at 11:42am

I just put a Bronx Bend on my N6a. Easy as pie. Take a spaghetti pot. Fill it 3/4 with water. Bring to boil. Set helmet on another pot so that the rear brim is nearly touching the boiling water. Let steam for a good 15 minutes. Remove from steam. Carefully and slowly bend toward the desired bend. Reapply to the steam. Do it again. Work slow so you do not crack the paint. Once you have the desired bend. Hold the brim in the position for a minute as you begin to let it cool then place it down upside down to finish cooling. BAM as Emiril says.

Best of Luck! Stay Safe!

Permalink Reply by David Massenberg on December 26, 2010 at 3:51am

Im new to the site. I have an idea, but does have pics of a Boston Flat bend? Thanx

Permalink Reply by Keats Keating on December 31, 2010 at 8:21am

The only concern is that after the leather has become water logged you need to use care slowy drying the lid out. I had an old school lid that became saturated and it dryed out too fast. It started to mishap due to uneven drying and ended up cracking ( while I was crying).