Vintage Sytle Hard Hat

[cbrunt]

Hi Gang,

Whilst searching for a nice, vintage fibre hard hat I found these modern fibre hard hats MSA Skullgard

http://www.drillspot.com/products/86608/Msa_475407_Skullgard_Hard_Hat

They look really close to the 1930s fibre helmets. Anyone here have some insight into 1930s hard hats? I'd wear for work, so would like a new helmet- my noggin' is pretty valuable to me...

Thanks for any help!

Clint

 

[cbrunt]

Found a nice 1940s color image which shows similar

 

[Salty O'Rourke]

That's a killer hard hat, but pricey (says the guy who'll happily spend that much for a 60 year old fedora). If you don't need protection from hot/moltem substances you might try www.discountsafetygear.com (no connection). They carry several types of full brim hard hats. I have a Bullard 303 that I don't have to wear often, but when I do I get nice comments about my "retro" hat.

 

[HoundstoothLuke]

I'd be a bit wary about choosing an older hard hat over a modern one. I could be completely wrong, but wouldn't a modern hard hat have to meet more stringent safety regulations and be made of possibly better materials than an older one?

 

[Sam Craig]

safety first

When I was a kid — late 50s — my dad had a hard hat that was, as I remember it, made out of aluminum with a rigging inside. It had a brim all around the edge and ridges in the top, for strength, I presume.

I don't know what it was to protect you from, but I've been around a lot of "modern" hard hats, including modern fire helmets, and they have substantially more safety built into them.

That's the path I'd take if my head was on the line.

 

[cbrunt]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the input !!

I think the real aspect of a hard hat is the modern suspension rather than material of shell. I mean, aluminum, plastic or laminated fibre with all protect from the normal risk of dropped tools, parts, bumps etc. So with out modern suspension I too would avoid an old vintage hat. And according to our safety guys once a hard-hat (of any kind) has been impacted it is to be replaced. So an old one might not really protect... considering I wouldn't know the history...

But where I work we are required to have electrical-shock proof, so metal is out. We can only wear plastic (or other non-conductive)... But plastic just doesn't looks as vintage as the fibre... But $60 is a tad high...

Clint

 

[cbrunt]

You know I just remembered we're given $150/year for safety shoes and other safety equipment... Hmmm....

 

[carouselvic]

Plastic hard hats have a date of manufacture stamped in the plastic. OSHA has a time limit on the age of a plastic hard hat. I do not remember the exact number of years allowed.

edit...When I tried to find this time limit, I find it is a misconception. When I took my OSHA schooling, we were given an exact age that a plastic hat could not exceed.

edit...I know what you are thinking: what can I say about a hard hat that everyone does not know already? My advice is to be creative, touch the basics, and always add an interesting tidbit. For example, did you know that hard hats expire? According to ANSI Z89.1 hard hats must be marked appropriately and should meet this standard. Because OSHA incorporates the ANSI standard by reference, employers must follow its recommendations. Due to the fact that hard hats break down over time, once that date has expired, replace the hard hat. Expiration dates are located on the underside of your hard hat. OSHA states that the hard hat must meet manufactures’ recommendations and most manufacturers state in the original wrapper of the hat that the hat will expire in four to five years.

 

[CRH]

Hi Gang,

Whilst searching for a nice, vintage fibre hard hat I found these modern fibre hard hats MSA Skullgard

http://www.drillspot.com/products/86608/Msa_475407_Skullgard_Hard_Hat

They look really close to the 1930s fibre helmets. Anyone here have some insight into 1930s hard hats? I'd wear for work, so would like a new helmet- my noggin' is pretty valuable to me...
...

That hardhat looks to be made out of canvas (vs. paper or linen) Mikarta, one of the early composite materials.

I'd bet it's better than any modern plastic lids (except for price) and definitely better than aluminum. The only thing better IMHO would be carbon fiber.

The price looks decent for what it is.

 

[carldelo]

As far as I remember, a metal hard hat is not permitted on any construction site in New York. In any case, they're a bad idea - too bad, as I was not allowed to wear my dad's vintage aluminum cap. The brown fiberglass Skullgard for $71 is a good deal - I've worked with a few guys who wore them, and they're very nice in person. It's only money and your brainbox is worth an extra $50, IMO.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

I find it interesting that as far back as the 1940s they had cordless drills.

 

[cbrunt]

Its obviously One Hoss Power...!