I don't know what you would think of this dumb idea but i have always been wondering. how do you make like roman or plate armour?:confused::o

armourarchive.org has a good forum, they can help you out. Basically cut reasonably thick sheet steel into shapes, and either sink it from the inside with a round hammer, or pack it slowly around forming stakes, like a silversmith, just hotter.

For Roman armour go to the library and see if they can get you a copy of -
Excavations at Corbridge, the hoard. By L Allason-Jones and MC Bishop. 1988
Published by English Heritage ISBN 1 85074 191 3.
During an excavation the remains of a chest was found containing roman armour that had been put into storage alond with a load of other finds - tools, spear/arrow heads etc.
This book looks at the finds with scale drawings of the of artifacts along with discussion and reconstruction of the armour.