How many times would you drill a helmet?

[global_s]

As in mount different lamps? My ecrin rock used to have my Nova, then went to a Petzl bracket mounted Trigon. I'm now selling that and have a Pulsar on route.

I'm a little wary of drilling the third set of holes. Thing is the ecrin is still in great condition condition otherwise, only got it 3 years ago. I'd probably errr on the side of caution, but you can buy them anymore!

 

[Mark Wright]

I shouldn't worry about drilling more holes for attaching another lamp to your Erin Roc. You would be surprised how much abuse you can give a helmet and still get it to pass the relevant tests for its EN standard. The old Petzl Explorer was based around an Ecrin Roc and it has at least 4 holes on the front to hold the Duo and Carbide lamps, not to mention the 7 enormous holes on each side of the helmet. Lets hope you've found the perfect lamp this time.

Mark

 

[tamarmole]

When I retired my CS Protex it had 17 "unofficial" holes drilled in it!

 

[cap n chris]

CS Colander?

 

[Maj]

I've often wondered whether it would be better not to drill holes, but to use a hot metal tool to melt a hole of the correct diameter. Either a soldering iron or a nail or something similar. Would this create less stress around the holes?

Maj.

 

[Joe90]

I've often wondered whether it would be better not to drill holes, but to use a hot metal tool to melt a hole of the correct diameter. Either a soldering iron or a nail or something similar. Would this create less stress around the holes?

Maj.

I have done that in the past, more because I couldn't find the right size drill bit though.

 

[sion]

I have got 3 pairs of holes from various lights in my Ecrin best, I am about to fill in the holes with a P-Tex candle but as Mark says on the "rock" model there are plenty of holes in the top already so it probably doesn't matter

 

[Over the Hill]

If you take a fall that badly you will need a priest more than a good helmet 

 

[caving_fox]

If you take a fall that badly you will need a priest more than a good helmet 

Take a Fall?!!!    You should never be taking a fall in caving, that's what your gear is for. Helmet is to prevent you wacking your head on rock and very rarely against falling rocks.

 

[Roger W]

I've often wondered whether it would be better not to drill holes, but to use a hot metal tool to melt a hole of the correct diameter. Either a soldering iron or a nail or something similar. Would this create less stress around the holes?

Maj.

Drilling holes in some plastics and not smoothing/bevelling the edges of the holes can certainly result in cracking and breaking.  We used to have quite a bit of trouble in a certain sector of the food industry with bits breaking off of "unbreakable" polycarbonate machine guards that had cracked where the fastening holes had been drilled.

My worry about a lot of holes drilled in a fairly small area of the helmet is that a hard knock might drive your lamp bracket through the weakened helmet shell and possibly into your skull. (Think Michael Schumacher.)

 

[Bottlebank]

Didn't realise Michael Schumacher was wearing a lamp?

Must admit I tend to go for the if I'm worried do something about it approach. If the number of holes drilled in my lid bothered me I'd buy a new one. In practice the cradles always seem to wear out before it gets to that stage.

 

[Roger W]

Didn't realise Michael Schumacher was wearing a lamp?

Not a lamp in his case - iirc, his injury was attributed to his video camera being driven through his helmet.

 

[Bottlebank]

Didn't realise Michael Schumacher was wearing a lamp?

Not a lamp in his case - iirc, his injury was attributed to his video camera being driven through his helmet.

I think that turned out to be nothing more than speculation?

 

[Over the Hill]

Take a Fall?!!!    You should never be taking a fall in caving, that's what your gear is for. Helmet is to prevent you wacking your head on rock and very rarely against falling rocks.

With great respect falls do happen. Not every cave requires the use of SRT kit and anyone can slip or fall a few feet by accident and a good helmet Will make all the difference. Learnt that through my own experiences.

 

[global_s]

Bugger. I may not have to worry about the extra holes but I do need a new helmet! This was revealed when I removed the old Petzl bracket.



Bit gutted. They don't make the Ecrin Roc anymore and it was pretty immaculate considering I've had it 3 years.

 

[Mark Wright]

See phizz4's recent post. Probably a bit on the expensive side for a 3 year old second hand helmet, even with the postage but he's not had any takers in over a month so he might be open to offers.

If your helmet was mine I wouldn't be too fussed about the crazing.

Mark

 

[Over the Hill]

A Texelex was great in tight spots like pip. Also used a builders hat for years, bit of cord under the chin, good enough for the Berger. Then got posh and converted a Joe Brown climbing helmet, still have it and use it. As for those cracks go and buy some Araldite.