The Armour Archive

Cat

I may be interested in the lamellar. Can you send me pics?

Thanks,
Cat

Cat

Thank you for the info so far. I have a forge already (natural charcoal). I am pretty sure it will get hot enough as I have melted steel in it. (I didn't INTEND to melt the steel, I just put a rod in there, went and did something else, and then came back to check on it. I puled out the rod and was m...

Cat

Ok, I want to try some sand casting with brass, and the instructions are for pewter. It says to sprinkle some borax flux over the top of the melted pewter. What is borax flux? Is it the same as that laundry soap stuff? Do I need to use it on brass? Also, it says to use an unglazed ceramic pot (or wh...

Cat

I will donate an aventail. Email me if you would like me to make you one and we can discuss measurements and such.

I wish I could do more, but I'm pretty broke myself.

Cya,
Cat

Cat

Thank you for sharing those pics! I may have to try that, as i think they both look great!

Idol,
Thank you for the reassurance. I plan to make some test pieces up and give that bleach solution a try.

Thanks again!
Cat

Cat

Idol, I am unfamiliar with the historical techniques. I had thought about using the bleach solution as mentioned in the how to section, but I was afraid I would mess that up. I didn't know how that would work since the helm is all put together. I figured it might come out patchy. Please don't tell m...

Cat

Thorfinn, Your mistake was doing it while she was home. Honestly, if my husband had been the one that did this, I probably would have yelled at him, but it's ok if I do it. hehehe Lord O'Quinn, Thank you for the nice comments! If I do one in oil, I will certainly post pics, but it won't be for a lon...

Cat

Darn it, it says he is not taking orders. Maybe after Pennsic?

Those helms were gorgeous!

Thanks for the links!

Cat

Cat

Does Sir Richard have a website? I have a helm I want to add some brass castings to and would be interested in seeing what he has. If he doesn't have a site, do you happen to have contact info for him?

Thanks,
Cat

Cat

Well, I tell ya - I smelled like a skunk after I was done, but the oven had no smell at all. In fact, I cooked supper in it that night and there was no bad smell or taste. Nobody got sick either, but I honestly don't know if it was toxic or not. The guy at the gun store said to heat the piece up in ...

Cat

Hal, I forgot to answer your question about the spangen. I haven't worked on it in quite a while. I am pretty sure I over dished the panels, plus I think they are going to need trimmed down before they will fit properly. Either way, I don't think it's going to be an easy fix. When I get some time, I...

Cat

Thank you all very much. I appreciate it! Matt, I used something called Plum Brown browning solution. I got it, the de greaser, and the gun oil (which I ended up not using) from a gun shop. It was on the same shelf as the blueing solution. I sanded the helm to an 800 grit finish, but I'm not sure if...

Cat

Thank you both. I appreciate it very much! Do you think it will lighten up? I didn't use any oil on it. The shine comes from the hot wax finish I put on it. For a test run, I russeted a piece of scrap metal. Then I oiled one half and hot waxed the other. When the oil dried, the finish became powdery...

Cat

Thank you.

Does that mean it looks like it's supposed to? Cause I'm really not sure. And why do I smell skunk smell? Must be the browning sloution. Or it could be that I haven't had a shower yet...........

Cat

Cat

Well.....here it is. I think it may be a little too dark.

[img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747695/Russet2.JPG[/img]

Cat

Cat

This is my first attempt at russeting anything, and I think I was a little over zealous with the browning solution. It's a little darker than I wanted, but at least it's not too spotty and patchy. Here's some pics: [img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747695/Russet1.JPG[/img] [img]http://img.v...

Cat

Ok, I've got it done and I am just waiting for the wax to harden so I can scrape off the excess and polish it up. If it looks good, I will post pics. If'n it don't, you will never hear about it again.

Thank you guys for all of your help!

Cat

Cat

Brand new, never been used. I've only had it for a few weeks and have only had it out of the box a couple of times. $95 plus shipping. Retails for $115. [img]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-6/747695/Sword3.JPG[/img] (sigh) I really don't want to sell this, but I need the cash more than the sword...

Cat

Mike, Thank you for that link! It was very helpful! There were a few pieces that had the finish that I am looking for, and they looked really good! Ron, Thanks for the pics!! That's the look I am looking for, but with possibly a little gloss added to it afterward (like maybe waxing it). What type of...

Cat

Samuel, Well, the URGE to pee on it is quite strong, but I will force myself to refrain from doing so out of respect for all those who will be within smelling range of the finished project. It will be hard to hold myself back, but I will do so to protect the comfort of others. It's a great sacrifice...

Cat

Thank you all again for all of your help and advice! I think I am going to use Plum Brown. Gander Mountain has a kit that has the degreaser, the browning solution, and the sealer. The only problem is that they are out of it right now and they have no idea when they will be getting more. I hate that....

Cat

Thank you all for the help! I'm still scared to try anything for fear of messing up, but I think the browning solution sounds like it might not be as risky. As for peeing on it......well....as fun as that sounds I think I will refrain from trying that. I can just see it now - I go outside and pee on...

Cat

Mike, That DOES sound like a good idea. Shoot, with the way stuff rusts around here, I probably just need to sit it outside. Now, the sealing part sounded complicated in the instructions that I have, or at least it sounded like you could ruin the piece if you weren't really careful. What if I heated...

Cat

Hiya, Ok, so I recently aquired a helm in a trade, and I would like to put a russet finish on it. I have a set of instructions for russeting involving a bleach solution, but it sounds like there are many ways that you could end up ruining the piece. I know that there are chemicals available for blue...

Cat

Good! I'm glad you will be able to get some use out of them! Good luck with getting the kit together!

Thanks again,
Cat

Cat

Gryphon,
I'm glad it made it to you ok. I hope you will be happy with it! Now you have to show pics of things you make with it!

Thanks again!
Cat

Cat

Email sent regarding helm.

Cat

Cat

Will this contest require any skill of any sort? ( Ihope not I hope not I hope not....)

Oh wait! I do have a skill!! I am a MASTER procrastinator! Can we have a contest that involves procrastination? If we do, i will enter it...eventually.

Cat

Cat

What happens if you only sell 200 (or whatever?) Will it still be raffled off? (Has this already been addressed?)

I asked my mom and dad if they wanted to get in on it, but it's really not their thing. I will ask around some more.

Cat

Cat

Dang! That seems to be a super deal! I can't imagine anyone being able to put together a nicer kit for less. Heck, I think it would be hard to put THAT kit together for less. Hmmmm, how long til Christmas...............?

Cat

Cat

I hope so. Now that I know what I am going to need to buy, and have a better idea of what we would be spending, I can try to gather up garb and save money for next year's trip. I really think it would be alot of fun. Have a good time there for me!

Cat

Cat

Ok, the kabuto is sold pending payment. Otagiri, you are 3rd in line for this. I will post on here when everything has been finalized, and I will let you know if the first 2 decide not to buy it.

Thank you all!
Cat

Cat

Losthelm,
Unfortunately I cannot make it to Pennsic this year. I just couldn't afford getting 5 people ready (from scratch) plus admission, PLUS buying ALL of our camping gear. I am seriously considering getting a "real" job.

Sorry,
Cat

Cat

Just FYI, one set of vervelles/leather for a camail strap is still for sale. These are the small ones, and I'm not sure about the spacing for these. Does anyone know how far apart they should be?

I forgot to mention that I will take checks, money orders, or Paypal (including credit cards).

Cat

Cat

Ok, it looks like the lasts, bascinet, and leather/vervelles have been claimed. I will have to double check to make sure I have enough vervelles for 2 sets though. Shipping on the leather/vervelles to zip code 49503 (based on one pound shipping weight) is $3.75 for parcel post, and $3.85 for priorit...

Borax Flux? And gen. questions on casting

Well....I russeted my helm...

F/S Paul Chen Practical Series Knight sword

Advice needed on russeting a helm