The Armour Archive

Otto

See, like I said, maybe I'm just seeing it wrong

Wonderful helm, and I like the grill design... a nice alternative to the normal "bars" thing.

Otto

Halberds, wonderful! That'd be a gorgeous newbie helm! I do have one concern... and I really don't want to rain on the parade... and I really hope I'm wrong cuz that's a spiffy helm. It looks a little flat through the nose. Wouldn't that be a problem area on an SCA helm? Maybe it's the camera angle ...

Otto

A sad story indeed. Metal working holds many dangers... too numerous to mention. Since it is no longer a regular trade, proper training is almost non-existant. (unless one is in a field like welding or whatnot... which most of us hobbyists are not) I can't think of a good solution to keep hobby meta...

Otto

Eh, mine aren't fancy books and there's no pics, only line drawings. If that's how the plate is actually setting currently and the effect isn't from the curve of the plate hitting the table, then forget all that other stuff in the thread above. This is an easy one. Remove a little of the curvature a...

Otto

Actually, if the base of the panel is not snugging up to the browband, what it really needs is to be dished a little deeper in the center. You will be suprised how that, many times, causes the panel to drop right into place!

Otto

Having cut steel in a number of different ways, I've always found the jigsaw to be the most versatile and economical way to go. I use cheap 17 teeth per inch (tpi) metal cutting blades and they usually last through a number of projects (a few helms, several gorgets, like that) and only cost about $1...

Otto

OK Cat, I'll jump in, cuz it looks just like the helms I often make. And seeing as the terminology is the same as that which I used in my armouring booklets, I'm inclined to wonder if it's my design anyway. A tip... narrow the bottom couple of inches of the dome panel a little... it'll fit better wi...

Otto

I'm not in the market for a helm... but that's a good quality, basic helm.

Nice work!

Otto

Responded to the e-mail... I think you can consider the gun and bits spoken for.

Otto

Can I make you something like $50 of armour? I could manage that, I think. What sort of armour are you looking for? For that price-range, you're generally looking at a couple of small things, like gorget, basket hilt, shield basket, some spaulders. etc. If you can't think of any armour, I'll give yo...

Otto

OK, I'll ask... what kind of offer are you looking for?

Is this a $200 type package....? Is it a $50 type package?

If a trade, what kind of things are you looking for?

Otto

Paintball guns vary so greatly in price, what area constitutes a "reasonable" offer?

Otto

So what's the benefit of a brass barrel? Side note, I much prefer the pump style of play to the current (and fairly long standing) "spray and pray" method. I planned on upgrading the barrel to improve accuracy... but why brass in particular? Does it have to do with it's thermal characteristics?... p...

Otto

You can get starter level semi-auto's for like $50 each...

Simple little pumps that take the 12 gram mini CO2 bottles I can find them $15 for a complete kit (gun/loader/barrel plug etc.)

The game is WAY cheaper than it once was.

Otto

I was always pretty good at "one-shotting" folks and the hip-shooting thing... so pumps work OK for me. I never was a serious player, so I have no real worries about needing a fancy gun so's I can "win". Also, if I recall correctly, don't you get more shots out of an air bottle with a pump than with...

Otto

Oops!

I guess I'm out of the market now. I found a Tippman SL-68 II on ebay and the dear wifey bought it for me. So I guess I'm a) covered and b) officially cannon fodder

Otto

I know this is likely a lost cause... but, what the heck. It appears that I will be playing some paintball again soon after an 8 or 9 year break. Upon looking at the stores, I'm gratified to see that the gear is much cheaper than it once was... but what I was really in the mood for, was a Tipmann SL...

Otto

In the armouring world, Steve is quite the artist... just not a good businessman.

I hope, one day, he can get his act together.

Otto

You say you have a number of other tools... If you have a decent quality jigsaw and some metal cutting blades (I prefer 17 tpi blades) that works quite well. It's what I've used for 20 some odd years now.

Otto

Just for reference, the black helm REALLY looks like one of mine. I'd almost swear I made that one, how long ago, I couldn't tell you... doesn't look like I had much luck with the crease in the lower front panel. Is that a 3 pc or a 5 pc barrel helm?... That's a 3 piece... it's almost GOT to be one ...

Otto

The helm shown is decidely not the simplest design you're going to find. Sorry, I don't have that particular pattern or I'd be happy to provide it.

Otto

I completely construct the frame of a spangenhelm (all three bands, brow, front-back, and side-side) and get the shape how I want it and THEN dish each panel to fit the existing openings. Then, to further cut down on twisting of the frame, the panels are all attached with 2 rivets in the bottom side...

Otto

You know, if that's your first spangenhelm... and I'm guessing you don't have a well-equipped shop, you did just fine. Something that'd be of immense help to you if you're going to make more would be one of those wonderful oxy-tank bottoms for a shaping dish. Also, if you don't already have such thi...

Otto

I'll give it a last

and maybe this weekend I'll see if I can work out this whole picture thing.

I think we're going to sell them as a regular item if someone is interested in one, but in another color.

Otto

Nothing huh?

Is the price at least reasonable?

Otto

I've currently got 2 extra fencing hoods on hand... made for SCA fencing. They are just the basic/normal thing...pull on over your head, edges go out to the points of the shoulder. They are sized to fit a medium/largish head (my head measures 24.25 inches and I fit in them fine). They are made of 4 ...

Otto

Now that I think on it... I can think of one over-riding rule of armouring (especially true for those of us who do alot of it). Any project will take a certain amount of time. You really cannot compress this time requirement just because you are in a hurry. Trying to break this rule usually results ...

Otto

I just purchased a cheapie electric shear for ~$85 which is rated up to 14 gauge mild. Having never used an electric shear, I'll give you my impression as a new user of such an item. I'll see if I can't give it a go tonight out in the shop.

Otto

Other than the obvious occasional dish/shape something backwards (usually easily corrected)...

the worst/stupidest thing I can recall... the drill works better in "forward"

'nuff said

Otto

In my opinion (and it's only that) I would think that unless the style dictates it, dome panels should not overlap. They should have a very narrow gap between them, hopefully, nice and straight.

There are styles which use a layered, over-lapping panel structure, but a generic spangenhelm doesn't.

Otto

You're welcome?

Otto

e-mail sent about the gauntlet and the gorget.

Otto

To be honest, I've never once clamped the metal to the table.

Otto

My methods are a little less complex. The sheet metal sets on the workbench I make sure while cutting that the blade stays fairly near the edge of the workbench for greatest support I hold the jigsaw down firmly while cutting and, of course, there is something to be said for long experience, as in k...

Otto

Properly used, a jigsaw will cut damn near anything. Stainless is a bit of a pain, but do-able. Just remember to press down firmly and cut a close to a supported spot as possible (near the edge of a sturdy/stable workbench)... generally don't run at full speed and oil the blade occasionally. You get...

Paintball/ pump gun?

2 Basic Fencing Hoods (SCA)