The Armour Archive

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Cool - Thanks!

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I am degalvanizing about 10 maille rings. If they get a little bit pitted, that's perfectly ok. I just want to make sure the stuff isn't gonna react violently to the galvy and have it fizz up all over me or something.

Thanks,
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I keep looking at this, and I can't figure out how to do it. It SEEMS simple, so I must be missing something. I can cut the rings with the overlap, then open them up and install them, but how do I get it closed? I am guessing that the springback will keep me from getting these fully closed. The over...

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Hey guys, I need to remove the galvy from a couple of pieces, and was wondering if I could safely do that with ferric chloride. I've heard stuff like aluminum can produce a violent reaction, so I thought I would ask. Will the ferric chloride remove the galvy? Any idea on how long it will take in ~50...

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I think the guys at my store were saying that it was going to be phased out at their store - not sure if they meant Fiebings was doing away with their dyes. I just hope it's still available online or at another retailer after the phase-out. (if it occurs) I've heard rumors that it will still be avai...

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According to the guys at my local Tandy's, the Feibings will be phased out within two years. Their advice to me was to start using the Eco stuff now so that I can learn how to use it so I would be ready when the time comes. I hate it so much that I am thinking of looking into historical dyes. The ec...

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Interesting...I may have to try that myself. Thanks for the tip! I wonder if it works with that Eco Crap that's replacing the good dyes. (I HATE that stuff)

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I would suggest trying the oil out on a scrap piece. It might be difficult, if not impossible, to dye the piece after it has been oiled. (should you decide the oil didn't produce the color you wanted)

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Freewebs is what I use. ( www.freewebs.com ) I think it's pretty darn good for a free site. No pop up ads, but they do add banners to your site after a while.

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Thanks I think the phone jacks are ok, but the carpet is toast. This happens whenever the ground becomes saturated. It rained here for several days, not long after a snow storm dropped 20" of snow on us. The ground just couldn't soak up any more water. I did a bit of research on the net, and fo...

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Just wanted to let you guys know that due to all the rain we have had over the last several days, my work area in the basement flooded. We have had to shove all of my stuff into the area that stayed dry, and we have begun removing carpet. Since my work area is torn up, I can't really work until we g...

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Thanks for all of the tips! I have gotten some of the foil sheets, and they seem to work well. It seems like the sheets cover up the adhesive better and keeps the tackiness covered. Plus I think it's going to be easier to use since it doesn't seem to get down in the cracks like the flakes did. Thank...

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I use 2.5mm mild steel for my bosses, and I think that's around 12 gauge. I hammer them cold, which tears me up, but it's doable. When you start your first course, it won't want to move, but I've found it goes easier the deeper you get it (probably because it's being stretched). Use a heavy hammer a...

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I haven't seen any either, and I have pics of a couple of pieces that show the piece from all sides - but not the inside or the bottom. I also think that something small and unobtrusive would be ideal, which is making me wonder if they put their marks on the inside or bottom. The inside might be kin...

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I've decided it's about time I thought about signing my work, and I was wondering if medieval leather workers used maker's marks like the armouers did. If so, can anyone point me to an illustrated reference so I can see some examples?

Thanks!
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That's gorgeous! I thought it was black onyx at first - that would have been sweet too. Tell her I said it's BEAUTIFUL! Any idea on the cost yet?

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Thanks for the info. Will sealer cover up the tackiness? I really don't want the surface to stay tacky indefinitely, as this is an object meant to be used.

If the sealer won't cover it up, can you suggest another adhesive that won't stay tacky?

Thanks,
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Thanks for the tips so far! Jcesarelli - thanks for the link! I read through a bit of it, but it's a tad confusing. It will take me a bit to work out what they are talking about. I'm not sure what type of adhesive I have. It's made by Mona Lisa Products, and it just says Metal leaf extra thick adhes...

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Hey guys, I bought some gold leaf, and am having a bit of trouble with it. I bought the adhesive you're supposed to use with it, but after 3 or 4 days, the adhesive is still tacky. How long does it take to fully dry? (I'm using it on leather) Can I maybe use another type of adhesive, like regular wo...

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I've used the Procion Dyes myself, and they are great. RIT just plain sucks - the color will keep bleeding until it fades out to a nasty color, plus it will get on stuff you wash it with.

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I don't know about their products, but the last time I tried to buy something from Ironmonger, I never did hear back from them. If I recall, others were having a similar issue with them. If they were having issues, they could be cleared up by now. I wouldn't know, as I have not tried to buy anything...

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Thanks for all the replies! I may need to cast some things in the future, and I wanted to have the info available so I could make sure I was using the right stuff.

Thanks again!
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I keep seeing things that are "cast in pewter". What exactly are they using? Is it solder? Is it solder mixed with something else? Or is it something else entirely? I'm asking because I have heard solder be referred to as pewter, but it doesn't look like commercial pewter I've seen. Just w...

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LOL! Will do. Ya know, if I get enough examples to have a good variety of cases, I could almost get rid of everything else and just focus on these. Buying supplies and tools for one type of thing only would be very nice - and it's something I have yet to experience. It's startin' to sound pretty dur...

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Klaus, Thank you for such a kind review! I am very glad you are happy with it, and I hope it serves you well! Just an FYI - I have been given pics of a box for a sewing kit, and plan to add those to my line up of historical cases, along with penners and the tablet and document cases. I may think abo...

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Well, I'm no expert in making spangens, so I don't know if this will help. Have you tried tracing the openings? Fit a piece of paper up in the opening from the inside, and trace from the outside. Then add maybe a half inch or so all the way around. This may help and it may not. Hal is who you need t...

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One thing I've found is that the type/size of buckle you're using might make a difference as far as leather weight goes. If the buckle is on the smallish/low profile-ish side, or if the buckle narrows a good bit towards the end, thick leather may not fit in there properly. 6/7 ounce leather is about...

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Thanks Gavin! I appreciate it!

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Thanks! I can't wait til I get the others done. I'm so excited.

By the way, I still haven't heard from JT, so it looks like the T shirt thing is gonna have to be postponed until I do.

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Thanks! I've been given MORE pics of more cases now! There's one in particular that is very nice. I just need there to be like 10 days in a week, and 50 hours in a day so that I can get all of these done. If these were the only things I ever make from now on, I think I'd be completely happy. Can't s...

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Thanks James! I know this is gonna sound terrible, but I'm kinda keeping the tooling methods/tools and specific construction techniques to myself. I'm hoping these will become my "signature" item since I had to drop alot of stuff from my site, and I've got plans to increase the "lineu...

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Ok, this is my second case that was based off of an actual piece. Due to customer sizing specs, my case ended up being a rectangle where the original was more square, so when I go to make an "in stock" one, I will re do the pattern and forms and square it up. Just thought I'd share. I've g...

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Dierick,
I was unable to find those. I may have thrown them out, as they sat around for years.

Sorry I couldn't help you out.

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Sounds good. I know what bag they're in, I just don't know where the bag IS. And the bad thing is that the two areas it could be in are both stacked full of stuff, which will need to be pulled out and gone through.

I will try to get to it tomorrow, and I will let you know if I find them.

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I get that too. I usually stick a rivet in there, and that pushes that ridge out. Then, I trim it off with a knife using the rivet as a backer.

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Installing overlapped rings on leather case: How?

Can I drop galvy into ferric chloride?

Basement/work area flooded - production postponed

Leather worker's maker's marks?

Gold leaf questions

What is "pewter" exactly?

New writing tablet case