Carneth
RP Architect 
Black Legion of the LoD and Brother of the Bri'Ak-Duraz
Posts: 189
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Post by Carneth on Feb 28, 2010 15:12:43 GMT -5
Hey guys, Dorian and I have decided to make some wood-backed shields, so if you have any advice or comments, feel free to give us your two cents. So far, we're looking at using tile flooring underlayment from Lowe's for the cores. We've found some 1/2" thick, 5-ply blondewood, but we're not decided yet. Also, we're using blue camping pad for the foam, leather belts for the arm strap, drawer handles for the grips, and twill or trigger for the covers. So yeah, give us the benefit of your experience  |
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MacDimm
Meat Shield
Fearghus MacDimm of the White Bear Clan
Posts: 259
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Post by MacDimm on Feb 28, 2010 20:31:08 GMT -5
I'd go lighter than 1/2" thick on the plywood, but that's just me. Mine is micarta or some other compressed wood core.
Old belts work fine for arm straps.
Make sure that you can comfortably fit your hand behind the drawer handle, you may be surprised. I made mine out of a thin strip of metal, I think it was originally part of a shelf system that I bent out into shape.
What size/shape of shield are you making?
Depending on the answer above, you may want to make the handles go at an angle rather than straight across for better leverage and angle when you're fighting.
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Carneth
RP Architect
Black Legion of the LoD and Brother of the Bri'Ak-Duraz
Posts: 189
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Post by Carneth on Feb 28, 2010 21:29:58 GMT -5
Yeah, we're gonna take another look and see what we can actually find. We're making (approx) 2.5' roundshields, so I personally wouldn't mind having a light-ish core. We're just trying to find the balance between cheap and durable.
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Baethor
High Council
Duk'Rik of the Bri'Ak Duraz.
That which does not kill me, has made a tactical error
Posts: 2,234
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Post by Baethor on Feb 28, 2010 21:52:51 GMT -5
If you can find Techply its a nice durable lightweight backer.
Theres a type of board that is even better but i can't remember the name, oof mentioned it not to long ago i think.
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Carneth
RP Architect
Black Legion of the LoD and Brother of the Bri'Ak-Duraz
Posts: 189
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Post by Carneth on Feb 28, 2010 22:00:42 GMT -5
I've heard both Tecply and Masonite thrown around. They sound like good stuff, but I was under the impression that Masonite was even heavier than plywood would be.
The other thing is that no one at a hardware store seems to know what the heck Tecply is...
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Post by Stubbie on Feb 28, 2010 22:13:42 GMT -5
I can't spell it but it's pronounced "Loo-On". Thin, really light, fairly resilient. A guy we know made some 24x36 ....around there anyway.... rec shields using it for a core and they were light as heck.
Heard it is what "TechPly" really is....I don't believe it but maybe.
I used a metal garage door handle for a tower I made...hated it. Hurt my hand and just couldn't get it comfortable after putting foam padding under it for knuckles sake. Much prefer another belt section or the shaped hardened leather strips on the back of EH shields.
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Dorian Prior
RP Architect
Black Legion & Sanguine Syndicate Agent
Posts: 405
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Post by Dorian Prior on Mar 1, 2010 14:31:07 GMT -5
I can't spell it but it's pronounced "Loo-On". Thin, really light, fairly resilient. A guy we know made some 24x36 ....around there anyway.... rec shields using it for a core and they were light as heck. Heard it is what "TechPly" really is....I don't believe it but maybe. I used a metal garage door handle for a tower I made...hated it. Hurt my hand and just couldn't get it comfortable after putting foam padding under it for knuckles sake. Much prefer another belt section or the shaped hardened leather strips on the back of EH shields. Dammit. Figured as much about the grips. Any idea how we can replicate the hardened leather that Edhellen uses? I'm assuming the obvious here... buy leather, get it wet, shape it, let it dry, then drill them in... |
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Post by Stubbie on Mar 1, 2010 18:11:18 GMT -5
Nope, I don't have any idea past what you said. I've got all kind of scrap saddle skirting laying around that aught work for a test though.
Soak and bake might harden it a bit?
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Baethor
High Council
Duk'Rik of the Bri'Ak Duraz.
That which does not kill me, has made a tactical error
Posts: 2,234
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Post by Baethor on Mar 1, 2010 22:53:11 GMT -5
bake it to much and it will be brittle, but yes that can harden it.
I prefer using boiling water poured over it, let it cool for a few seconds before your pick it up then shape it let it cool totally, then just let it set and drill.
If you have a big enough pot, just boil it for a bit.
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Post by Stubbie on Mar 1, 2010 23:15:45 GMT -5
bake it to much and it will be brittle, but yes that can harden it. I prefer using boiling water poured over it, let it cool for a few seconds before your pick it up then shape it let it cool totally, then just let it set and drill. If you have a big enough pot, just boil it for a bit. Is this the "water hardening" method I always read about but no one has explained? (in the material I have read anyway). Its very easy to over-bake something, we've ruined several straps and a lotta rivets 'cuz the stuff has went brittle. |
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Carneth
RP Architect
Black Legion of the LoD and Brother of the Bri'Ak-Duraz
Posts: 189
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Post by Carneth on Mar 1, 2010 23:25:23 GMT -5
Would this work on a leather belt? (I would think so, but my knowledge of leather is fairly limited.)
Also, has anyone bought their core from Lowe's? If so, do you have a suggestion for what ply/material works best for a mixture of lightness and durability?
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MacDimm
Meat Shield
Fearghus MacDimm of the White Bear Clan
Posts: 259
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Post by MacDimm on Mar 2, 2010 0:31:58 GMT -5
I would suggest not a leather belt. It's already been processed, is probably chrome-tanned leather, and is generally not going to be your friendly, best bet for doing it. I'd say find somebody with veg-tanned leather scraps.... like me.... and ask them to get them to you the next time they see you or Dorian.....  |
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Carneth
RP Architect
Black Legion of the LoD and Brother of the Bri'Ak-Duraz
Posts: 189
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Post by Carneth on Mar 2, 2010 8:50:05 GMT -5
Sounds fantastic look for a PM |
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