ErictheRed1990 Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Hey all, so after fixing some friends gear on their plate armor I've decided to try to shape some of my own.... now ... I have all the gear from other projects... but opinion wise, where to begin? What pieces do people find the easiest to shape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Welcome aboard Red, glad to have you. How much experience do you have forming sheet steel? The easiest to shape would be to have the steel supplier shear some 18ga. into 1" x 3/4" rectangles. Buy or make a punch and make scale maile. Of course ring maile sewed on leather is even easier. You can link chain maile but that's not the easiest. A LITTLE more information from you about your skills and what kind of armor you wish to make will get you better answers. There are armorers subbed here, from recreationists to old SCA fighting armorers. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErictheRed1990 Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 For forming sheet not a ton , mostly forming small troughs for pig and horse feeding , but I've been doing farrier work, blacksmithing for about 8 years or so with a bit of tinkering in blades...mostly attempts lol BUT that's another issue . Sorry for the vagueness , I was hoping to attempt full plate metal armor (like 17th century knight style?) For the purpose of ACL style stuff, I'm not sure about what gauges of metal is need either is another issue I'm looking at.. Thanks for any info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Full plate isn't a beginners project but if you don't have a deadline it's doable. There is good info about armor and thicknesses varied with component, helms were the thickest generally. Were I to start someone out making plate I'd probably start with greaves and van braces, they're basically tube sections, fluted if you feel adventurous. The time a student spent trying to make one or a pair would give me a chance to learn the next one. Old style auto body work is good training but I don't think anybody knocks out and reforms damage anymore do they? Reading material would be sinking and raising vessels. A stake plate and assorted stakes are really useful, though you can make stakes. I'm so out of practice I should hold my peace and hope someone more current speaks up. they're be along shortly I'm sure. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 I have made exactly one piece of armor (a greathelm for my son) and thus am nothing like an expert, but I found Brian R. Price's "Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction: The 14th Century" to be fascinating and invaluable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErictheRed1990 Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 Ok fair enough, and as for deadlines there are none , at this point it's all for my personal knowledge base. Haha there are still body shops around ...in some places anyways . Thanks for the info so far there guys ! And I'll definitely look into that book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 there is a huge thread on armour archive about making the st florian full harness and it is fully documented by a master http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=169445 spend a week reading that should help here is another armouring thread http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=171361 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 Yes I would advise going to a site that specializes in armour; like the armourarchive.crg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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