• How To: Drill Helmet for HANS and Mount Anchors

      So I recently took on the task of drilling my helmet for HANS anchors. Most helmets these days come pre-drilled, some even have built in threading. If not, you need to drill it yourself and mount the anchors accordingly.

      There are video guides online and other how-to guides, but I figured a simple picture step by step guide could be beneficial.

      Note: I am NOT responsible for any damage to your helmet, anchor kit, or body resulting from these instructions. Use at your own risk.

      What You Need

      Helmet
      Drill with 1/4 inch drill bit.
      Tape measure
      HANS anchor kit
      Masking tape

      Step One: Tape both sides of the helmet and a section in the back.

      Step Two: With your tape measure, measure 1 1/2 inch up from the rubber lining at the bottom and make a mark, then draw a line between your marks, just so you have a long marking for a later step. Do this on each side and on the back as well. It will look like this:




      Step Three: With your tape measure, measure from the center of your shields pivot screw, ten inches to the back of the helmet and make a mark. Do this for each side. Note in this step 10 inches from each side probably won't meet up, that's fine, they're not suppose to.




      Step Four: Measure the distance between each mark you just made and mark the center. The center between those two marks is the center of the back side of your helmet.




      Step Five: Measure six inches from the center back mark you just made, to the side line you measured earlier. Where that six inch mark crosses the line is where you will drill. Mark accordingly. This is done on each side of course.



      Step Six: Drill. Be very careful and avoid going through your inner padding. Take it slowly and drill straight.




      Step Seven: Remove the tape after drilling.




      Step Eight: Get your HANS tool and the backing plate from the anchor. We're going to install the plate into the helmet, you will be wedging the plate between the shell and inner padding. The goal is to align the hole you drilled and the hole in the plate. It will take some wiggling and what not. The HANS tool is much easier than a regular wrench since it's pretty flat. This is done on each side.





      Step Nine: Take the rest of your HANS set and simply screw it in. Leave the tool on the plate but once it gets started you don't need it anymore. Tighten it all down until the point on the post is facing the rear of your helmet.



      Step Ten: That's it! You're done, your helmet is now ready to accept the use of a HANS device.

      This article was originally published in forum thread: How To: Drill Helmet for HANS and Mount Anchors started by Elbow View original post
      Comments 12 Comments
      1. Sir_Christopher's Avatar
        Sir_Christopher -
        good job sir! i though of doing this to my helmet, but then again, I didn't want to risk cracking or compromising the structural dexterity of the helmet, in other words, i didn't want to ruin my 500$ helmet lol
      1. Elbow's Avatar
        Elbow -
        Thanks. Yeah it's pretty risk free as long as your measurements are right and you drill straight. Some companies still charge to drill for you. lol It's easy! No danger in compromising the structural dexterity of the helmet. lol
      1. Scotsman's Avatar
        Scotsman -
        please explain "hans device"?
      1. Elbow's Avatar
        Elbow -
        Quote Originally Posted by Scotsman View Post
        please explain "hans device"?
        It's the leading head and neck restraint system, in easy to understand terms, it keeps your head on when you have a heavy frontal impact. The device has tethers that connects to your helmet (the anchors here being installed) and the device rests on your shoulders, being held down by your harness. So when you crash, your head has limited travel preventing neck injury.

      1. Scotsman's Avatar
        Scotsman -
        ah , very cool , learn something new everyday
      1. Kyle's Avatar
        Kyle -
        Great post, repd. Hans is an atlanta company too isnt it?

        Edit: Must spread rep. Damn socialist IA.
      1. Doppelgänger's Avatar
        Doppelgänger -
        I remember working for Jim years ago making those things. Fun job. I remember when they made a full carbon version and it broke the test equipment lol.
      1. Boosted FC's Avatar
        Boosted FC -
        Quote Originally Posted by Kyle View Post
        Great post, repd. Hans is an atlanta company too isnt it?

        Edit: Must spread rep. Damn socialist IA.
        Downing Atlanta.....Downing/Atlanta Inc.
      1. Confuc1ous's Avatar
        Confuc1ous -
      1. Elbow's Avatar
        Elbow -
        Quote Originally Posted by Confuc1ous View Post
      1. Sinfix_15's Avatar
        Sinfix_15 -
        black and decker drill... man card revoked. That belongs under the kitchen sink in case your wife needs to hang a picture frame or something

        nice write up though
      1. Elbow's Avatar
        Elbow -
        Quote Originally Posted by Sinfix_15 View Post
        black and decker drill... man card revoked. That belongs under the kitchen sink in case your wife needs to hang a picture frame or something

        nice write up though
        Who said it wasn't under the kitchen sink?
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