The Armour Archive

Mike F

You can use Sharpie as a resist for a lot of PCB etchants, too.

Mike F

Dunno, Eff talks about tateage (about the width of the ceneral plate) being nipple to nipple, and then there are solid plates on either side of that just like this. Just what I think, I'll get back to you in a week or so when I finish mine off.

Mike F

Seems like nice reasoning, Mr. Moore. I'm not sure exactly what I'd do on either side of the argument, myself, but after seeing the armor on eBay, I'd definately consider non-perfect pieces par for the course. It is, of course, your and your apprentice's money, though. I'm sorry if the Archive seeme...

Mike F

Hal, I'm sorry to hear that your patterns may have been used without credit. Sinric is good with it, as has been mentioned, but an occasional "thank you" is always appreciated. However, (don't hurt me) with the exception of a lecture given by Aaron Toman which Talbot's Fine Accessories has for sale ...

Mike F

Tell them your old master came by and noticed something you were doing wrong or let you in on a trade secret. Would that work? Armorers had friends, and they all were learning while they went, too.

Mike F

I actually dished it using my planishing hammer into a wood block. Sad, but it worked. Since I did all my work on the inside, it's no problem to try planishing it more from the inside. The dents are all really small, so I'll try the anvil face method next. If I get any more big dents I'll try your m...

Mike F

So, I've been working on my breastplate af of late (I have about a dozen projects going, but I'm almost doen with my spaulders! Wahoo!) and have been having some issues. How painful is the planishing for a breastplate? Either I'm doing something wrong or it's about eight to twelve hours of work, bec...

Mike F

I hate being wrong. The thing is, when I don't openly debate something, that's because I'm willing to bet my ego I'm right. If someone proves me wrong, I'll accept that, and do research to make sure. I'll mostly feel bad if I spread the incorrect knowledge previously. On the other hand, I'll fight t...

Mike F

Never fear, Magnus, it just means we're both having good ideas.

Mike F

Ingrid, If you find out the temperature it needs to cook at, you may be able to harden it and then to the patina and temper it at the same time. I don't know, as I've only done heat treating once, and that was a stake. If you have a specific method or product in mind, send the infor my way and I'll ...

Mike F

I do think we've taken enough jabs at this guy. He makes armor we don't like (and isn't historically authentic) and spreads disinformation. Consider, perhaps, that he thinks he's right and is doing us a favor?

Can't explain the grammar, however.

Is 29A taken? The Hexidecimal of the Beast?

Mike F

The AEMMA has some stuff on rondel daggers, as they teach how to use them.

Take it with a grain of salt, as I havn't done much fact checking on their data, but they seem to be more into authenticity than a lot of groups.

Mike F

I could use one of his elbow cops as a helmet. And that can't be steel. It looks far too thick. Maybe it's just all the rolled edges.

The other site made my eyes hurt.

Mike F

Sure. Check out the cold rolled page. The C1045 is .45% carbon, which is to say .05% less than the 1050 we all desperately want. I've found 1050 is hard to find compared to 1045 and 1060. Anyone else found that out? Edit: Oops. No, you're right, they only offer 1008 sheet. They do, however, offer 10...

Mike F

The thing I havn't seen answered (I think) is what I first noticed. It's basically leather with maille attacked with holes in the leather. You place those holes over the vervelle and run a wire or thread through the holes. That's what I've seen, anyway.

Mike F

Take the edge down with a bench grinder and use a 3M surfacing sheel on the edges. It makes them soapy-smooth. The wheel can cost over $50, though.

Mike F

I've seen 16ga do pretty well. It gets black relatively fast, but it's workable for quite some time.

Mike F

Why couldn't I have been in your district?

Seriously, my principals were pretty good, and I can certainly see you'd be good at it. I'm certainly glad this got worked out so nicely.

Mike F

They're traditionally raised in one piece, so it'll be a bit off to rivet the bill on the back, and I'm not sure if you can do a round helm bowl cold . . . The cheek guards are just what they look like. Do those once you have the bowl and padding at least roughed out so they'll fit properly. The det...

Mike F

According to Legio XX they were one-piece forgings.

Mike F

Not the answer you want, I'm sure, but if you do it the other way around you can fold the hinge over the already-made pin. This would let you flatten it in a vice or similar steel object.

Mike F

What sort of capabilities do you have? Can you do hot raising or would this be cold work? Do you have a welder? Do you want to weld it? I can do some project planning for you and do whatever I can for you, but I'm an amateur, you know. If I get time, I'll see if I can study it enough to get some rou...

Mike F

I was in touch with him this week. This is very out of place. Have you tried PMing him on the boards? He's been really good with my orders, and I'm unsure what's up. Brian or Gruber are in the same general area, so they may be able to get in touch with him (particularly Brian) personally. It's proba...

Mike F

Doesn't Legio XX have something like that? Don't recall offhand. I've seen a few, but I don't have any. If I did, I wouldn't share them as they were in the private collections of others, but I can help you with what I remember if you want, but I doubt it'd be better than anything else. Here's what L...

Mike F

... they came up with segmentata because it was quicker to produce and cheaper to make anyone else read this anywhere? Interesting, but I doubt it. The Romans had no shortage of slaves to do work (even talented worksmen could be slaves, but they weren't treated as poorly as a lot of people think) a...

Mike F

fcunningham wrote:And Scotty's accent is faked. He's not from Scotland at all.

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

Did segmentata actually fall from favor, or were large iron sheets just impossible to find?

Mike F

You know, I actually need to study this for my calc class . . .

What do you need it for? With only a minimal amount of work I can get you the general and standard forms, but they're largely useless unless you want to do a focal point/axis dealie.

Mike F

23? Lightweights! I've got a 25. Certainly saves me a lot to make my own helms. That's an attractive helm, although I'm unsure about the perforated eye-guard. It looks nice, though. I can't speak for authenticity, but it's attractive. Remember kids (as I learned the hard way) not just the tops of he...

Mike F

Can I suggest donating a D-shaped riveted aventail to me?

Seriously, I'm really looking forward to this. Last year I was the newbie who thought he new something, but this year I'm the newbie who wants to make like a sponge and soak up knowledge.

Bad metaphor, I know.

Mike F

Why, we just want to know who trains fighters so well that a kid and whoop up on a Duke. Thax: You've got a good attitude about this. Personally, I've done boffer, but it's not identical to rattan. Better or worse? Who cares, it's not steel. Remember guys, don't fight out of anger. Alucard: I've got...

Mike F

Not to bump, really, but Dr. Capwell says he's preparing his thesis for a 2005 publication. I figured since his name was brought up, it might be nice to share the information.

Mike F

Some day I'll come down and see you, I promise.

Mike F

I'm in the video for all of four frames, so I feel bad you're disappointed. Seriously, the fluting and greaves were pick-up classes, if I recall. Gruber wanted an opinion on how to flute on a curve, and I guess it got recorded. I was almost impressed Talbot showing me the Wisby metacarpal provess wa...

Mike F

Not easy helms to make. I should know, I have one sitting around. It'll serve you nicely. Come on . . . Someone?

Mike F

Never had a problem. My DVD player is really touchy, so two of my DVDs are a bit hard to read, but otherwise all is well! Ordered a large amount of patterns and videos from him and I've never been disappointed in the service or the product. Plus he's close enough for me to simply take up any number ...

Breastplate planishing: A lesson in fear