08-07-2011, 02:19 AM
Just break the cast iron brow guard and loose it, it's inferior quality. Making a new one from mild steel strip isn't all that hard. It can be done by cold hammering. I open my vise to the max, about 10 cm, and start hammering right in the middle, gently working in into a curve. Move the strip back and forth whilst doing this and the proper shape will come slowly. See to check regularly by holding the curved strip to the helmet and you can adjust the curve to the precise shape of the helmet bowl. If the curve is too strong anywhere, simply turn it around and hammer on the other side...Finally you will need to smooth out all the dents you've made by sanding and see that you get the ends into the proper lobe shape. By then you will know how to do that.Drill holes for the rivets and attach to the helmet bowl. Done!
Heating the steel and actually forging is way better, but this method works just fine. Don't be afraid to hurt the steel, it can handle it. :grin:
Heating the steel and actually forging is way better, but this method works just fine. Don't be afraid to hurt the steel, it can handle it. :grin:
Paul Karremans
Chairman and founding member
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau, awarded for services to Roman Living History in the Netherlands
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.gemina.nl">http://www.gemina.nl
est.1987
Chairman and founding member
Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau, awarded for services to Roman Living History in the Netherlands
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.gemina.nl">http://www.gemina.nl
est.1987
