The Armour Archive

Cat

LOL! I never even thought of that!! That's a good suggestion.

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Cat

Your boss looks great! Your flange came out alot cleaner than mine initially did. I guess that's a result of my inexperience, so I will have to work on that. Hey, I have a question for you. When you work the steel hot, do you get a greasy residue that oozes out of it? I seem to get that, but I don't...

Cat

I think your best present is a husband with good taste in gifts. Uric No truer words were ever spoken. He is very patient with me, and helps me out whenever I need it. I am very lucky! And thank you for the kind comments! I don't really know enough yet to be able to answer most of the questions tha...

Cat

Matt, They ARE a pain. This one took me a week to make, and evidently I'm in worse shape than I thought because every muscle, tendon, and joint now hurts. Thorald, Yes, I can make a guige strap. Feel free to email me at dncgullett@sbcglobal.net if you're interested, and we can discuss the details. T...

Cat

Thanks.

It's 2.5mm steel, hand hammered cold, and the flange was flaired hot.

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I just finished this, and I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. The finish isn't perfect, but I think I'm getting better.

I know, it's just a shield boss, but it's actually one of a very few metal projects I've ever done and I just wanted to share.

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Cat

Thank you for the B-day wishes.

I'm SOOO excited about the welder! I ran my first bead, and of course will have pics later.

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Ok, today is my actual birthday, although from now on it will cease to be a "birthday" and become my "armour making anniversary". I already mentioned that I got 2 anvils from my husband, but a couple days ago, he also got me a welding apron and welding gloves. Then today, he star...

Cat

If you're really desperate, you could try making some. Get some 18 gauge wire (it's probably galvanized - coil the wire, clip into rings and soak rings in vinegar for a couple days) and a 3/16" steel rod from Lowe's, and get some blackening chemicals (used for blackening gun barrells). I think ...

Cat

I checked the 110 pounder, and it is the Russian one, but it has the diagonal hardy hole. I don't know if that makes a difference or not, though. Since I'm not sure what I "need" as far as the shape of the horn goes, I think I will start by just cleaning it up. Like I said, I didn't realiz...

Cat

Thanks for the help! I will have to see if I can find some of that acid, and I may try vinegar as well. Once I get some, I think I will do some test pieces to see how they work. Also, I have a cat that stays outside alot. I would have to leave the piece soaking in the acid in a place where she could...

Cat

The bascinet is a fake?

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PM sent. I will get back with you shortly.

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Here's the pics.

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I've done a bit of reading about muriatic acid, and it actually has me pretty worried. I've read things about fumes from it rusting stainless, and soaking into wood (causing the wood to give off fumes). The main article that got me worried was from a homeowner who's builder suggested using this stuf...

Cat

Well, maybe I will pick up some deerskin when I'm at Tandy's next, and I will check to see if they have goat. I love the soft leather, so now I have an excuse to buy some.

Thanks!
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Cat

Man! Wouldn't that be nice!I just wish I had $2 grand.

Also, you've got some NICE stuff on your site! Very nice job on the tooling, and those greaves are a great concept and well made!

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If you want, you can email the pics to me and I will post them for you. My email is dncgullett@sbcglobal.net .

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I can try the Viking pouch if you still need one and if the other fine gents haven't already offered. I'd need a pic of one to see what you are wanting and what size, and I could get you a price. I can also do some tooling if you like. I don't have any period buckles, but I have a 5/8" brass bu...

Cat

Ok, I got bored, so I took a look at some Archive pages I don't think I've ever visited before. I came across an article that talked about using vinegar to remove mill scale from hot rolled steel and I wondered if it would work for fire scale. (same thing, right?) Thing is, the piece is just about d...

Cat

Again, thanks so much! This is all very helpful. For reference, I'm currently using 4 ounce veg tan for pouches, but I would like to get some softer stuff to make squishy drawstring ones, so maybe deerskin would be ok? I just don't want to spend the money, and then not be able to sell the pouch beca...

Cat

Hey - the Capwell harness is on that site. I'm thinking I already knew this, though...but I can't be sure. (It's that "age" thing...what's my name again?)

Cat

Ps. Man, the Italian pointed bascinet has some TINY and real closely spaced liner holes in it! That must have taken forever.

Cat

I had thought about getting some wool patches, as I was beginning to wonder if the applicators that came with the dye were what was causing the problem. Thanks for suggesting that! I will get some the next time I'm at Tandy's.

And thank you, by the way, for the kind words.

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Cat

You guys are great! Thanks so much for the help! About the different kinds of leather - what "soft" kinds of leather could I use and still remain "period"? I would really like to work with softer leather and I have a hard time passing it up in the leather store, so if there is so...

Cat

Thank you very much! Although yours are much nicer and much more professional looking. When I made the first one, I didn't realize how many little details there would be to take into consideration. It's not like sewing fabric, where you can just stitch away. Figuring out the hole placement in the le...

Cat

This has been sold.

Thanks!
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Dang man, that sucks! I can't believe they actually caught the guy, but I'm really glad they did. How did he get your password? How did you find out that he had it? I'm always worried that someone will get my info, but I don't know how to make sure the info is safe.

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Thanks very much!

I am really pleased with this, which is unusual for me.

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By the way - Thanks for the birthday wishes. I'm not real happy about having another birthday, but I won;t complain about the presents.

Cat

Thanks so much for the pics and info! I guess I didn't realize there were so many different kinds. I think my rounded one looks the most like the second one pictured, so I think that's the shape I will shoot for. The pic will give me a good point of reference!

Thanks again!
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Some more...

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3 more...

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I LOVE the way the pouch came out! For once, I've made something that I am really happy with. This is made from 4 ounce leather and has been coated with neatsfoot oil. The pouch is hand sewn with waxed thread and has turned seams. It is lined with an off white cotton fabric, and the liner is hand se...

Cat

Oh, don't worry about upsetting me. I've been around long enough to know that HF ASO's are not what people would call the best, however I fell into the "nothing at all" category before I got these. So far, the "bounce back" (even though it may not be as much as nicer ones) has be...

Cat

I got my birthday presents today!! I got TWO, not one, but TWO anvils from my husband! One is a 55 pounder that he got me for indoor use (How cool is that! I can watch TV AND hammer at the same time!), and the other is a 110 pounder for outdoor use. They are both from Harbor Freight, and they have 2...

Wide flange boss

My birthday presents!!!

Removing fire scale

SOLD: Large lined 14th Cent pouch..This one came out nice!

Need pics of what a horn on an anvil should look like