Guess what just arrived?

clemsonreeder said:
Yes, they were replaced with fiberglass and/or plastic :D Seriously though, I think its a good idea! Way to use your now overly protected noggin!
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They still make them, believe it or not. Most manufacturers just abandoned making them after safety ratings/standards increased. Skull Bucket makes modern ones, but they're $60 and probably heavier than the old ones. Thanks for the kind words. :)

ETA: Here are a few pics.
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I'm pretty sure the newer models (SkullBucket, etc.) are now coated with a paint to reduce the heat they absorb. Like others have said, my toolbox gets -hot- in the summer. You might be in for an unpleasant surprise if you plan on wearing that too much (i.e. the thing you'll be cooking is your brain!)
 
A couple of hints-plan on wearing a do-rag or put some sort of sweatband in for the summer. It will make wearing it a lot more pleasant, and you'll notice temperature changes last. I've always kept the top part of the hood liner you pictured on mine, even in the summer, though I usually work at elevations high enough to keep the temperature down.

Also, it may be hard to find accessories (liners, etc) for that due to the age. Most modern hardhats that I've seen have a very different suspension system. If you can't find vintage stuff, you'll probably have to modify the modern stuff, or make it yourself.

Nice snag, though! Hope you have fun with it:D
 
EMT_Lee said:
I'm pretty sure the newer models (SkullBucket, etc.) are now coated with a paint to reduce the heat they absorb. Like others have said, my toolbox gets -hot- in the summer. You might be in for an unpleasant surprise if you plan on wearing that too much (i.e. the thing you'll be cooking is your brain!)
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They make the Skull Bucket one with orange, white, or yellow paint, as well as uncoated. :)

WalterDavis said:
A couple of hints-plan on wearing a do-rag or put some sort of sweatband in for the summer. It will make wearing it a lot more pleasant, and you'll notice temperature changes last. I've always kept the top part of the hood liner you pictured on mine, even in the summer, though I usually work at elevations high enough to keep the temperature down.

Also, it may be hard to find accessories (liners, etc) for that due to the age. Most modern hardhats that I've seen have a very different suspension system. If you can't find vintage stuff, you'll probably have to modify the modern stuff, or make it yourself.

Nice snag, though! Hope you have fun with it:D
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Thanks for the tips! As far as the suspension, I plan on weaving a new on for it out of orange and foliage paracord. :)
 
I recommend the Windlass Steelcrafts "viking hewing spear." I have one on an oval-sectioned teak shaft. It's like a sword on a stick. :D
 
A friend bought a skullbucket last year -and he loves it. But then we cut down trees for money....
Well, you could wear your hat to work - the tourists will like it and I shouldn't have a problem spotting you when I walk into the store.....
ilten
 
ilten said:
A friend bought a skullbucket last year -and he loves it. But then we cut down trees for money....
Well, you could wear your hat to work - the tourists will like it and I shouldn't have a problem spotting you when I walk into the store.....
ilten
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Hah! I'm at work right now and I'm weaving the sweatband for the new suspension at the moment. Not planning on wearing it anywhere but the woods though. :)
 
Suspension now done. I just need to make a chinstrap and this puppy is ready to rock! The paracord did a much better job than I even expected! :D
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
With regards to the heat, once again, the aluminum hardhats used to be quite popular, so there must have been some way around it! :)
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I used to work w/ a guy in the 100+ degree heat and direct sun that used to wear one of those. I don't remember him doing anything different. If I remember right, they aren't able to be used anymore on most sites because they transmit most of the shock to your head. The plastic hats will break, which will soak up some of the energy. You used to see them around, but now most places I have been won't allow them.
 
Almost done. Just got to finish the rest of the strap this morning. The new suspension is pretty bombproof! :)

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Cool, maybe you'll be able to pick up some satellite transmissions with that thing as well.

For camping, I recommend you get a matching Airstream. :p

airstream19712.jpg
 
Guyon said:
Cool, maybe you'll be able to pick up some satellite transmissions with that thing as well.

For camping, I recommend you get a matching Airstream. :p

airstream19712.jpg
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Funny you should mention it, but I've always liked Airstreams. Just have no use for them. :D The weird thing is, I just about guarantee I could rig up some wiring with an alligator clip that could turn it into a universal antenna. :rolleyes: :D

As soon as I get the chance I'll try doing the whole cooking thing. The new suspension is comfy and light, and has room for adjustment, though it'd take you a few minutes to do. I was originally going to make some attachment tabs out of some sheet steel that I had...but then realized that the harder metal would wear through the posts eventually, so I just used a simple noose around them and it's very secure.

Since the whole thing is made in small sections if one part ever gives out on me (god knows why) I can easily fab. a new one in the field. Technically I could make a whole new liner in the field, even. All I've used is cord and a peanut lighter to melt the ends. The chin strap doubles as cord storage. :)
 
Even though public interest for this thread died in the conception phases, I figured I might as well see this through to the end of the process. :)

Here's the finished product:
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It doesn't look nearly as goofy as one might expect. Still a bit odd, but not horrible.
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I think I may be able to build a heavy wire handle for use when cooking that will stash under the suspension. Guess we'll find out later. :)
 
Octopus Pie FTW.

Bitchin helmet, too. I like the idea.

As for the heat, how about a heavy painting job? Plastikote makes engine enamel in all sorts of colors, which is good to like 800*F. Give the outside a white coat of that stuff. Or leave it, looks more badass that way.
 
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