The Armour Archive

Mike F

Depending on the subject, perhaps the latter definition would be better.

Things will be documented. I always find more in my photos than I do in person. I'm just so giddy in person.

Mike F

I'll see if I can make it. I have a gig card for my camera now, so I can take a truly obscene amount of pictures.

Sure sounds like a good time.

Mike F

I like Samuel B. Griffith's translation. I have two copies, one big, and one pocket. Lots of additional material, some of which I havn't read yet. There are also translations of several Chinese commentaries on the work which are nestled in the appropriate areas. Edit: Oh, and the MOST IMPORTANT THIN...

Mike F

It depends on which gauntlets, actually. There were several in the book.

Personally, they look a hair cruder than Cad's (and Bear's, and Magnus') but they're certainly better than a lot of stuff on the market.

Mike F

Thanks, Ralph. I tend to do most of my inside work with cold chisel, and now I see what I was doing wrong (that edge is too dull!) One major warning, however, that sharp coner on the notch (for example) is a stress multiplier, and unless you round the corner it will crack there at some point. A litt...

Mike F

Small orders (or buying from Menards etc.) usually runs you $3-4 for mild and $4-6 for spring (I think there was a price jump since my last order, though) Large orders get progressively cheaper. Call some place for a quote on steel, and make sure you ask them for their price breaks. At Admiral Steel...

Mike F

Heh. JT, did I ever tell you about the time we got hacked and I used the logs to find out who did it, when and how? I'll tell you over a Mountain Dew sometime. Deth: Nice drop-shadow on that date. Spend a little more time looking at originals before you try to fake stuff. Maeryk: I wondered if that ...

Mike F

Ralph, I'd be interested in seeing some examples. I've tried to do quite a bit with 1" roundstock being made into stakes, but I've never tried barstock. What thickness? I'll also second the skills above tools, but sometimes a tool makes it so much easier, or even saves you so much time it's worth it...

Mike F

I've Cold Chiseled (with a 1" and an 1/8" chisel, it's speed vs. curve radius) and used Beverlies, HF Throatless shears (cheap knockoff of the Beverly), tin snips and nibblers. Beverlies are the best all the way, no questions. HF Shears are servicible to 16ga, but really kinda crummy. Tin snips are ...

Mike F

Well, my theory would probably work as well. Have a two-room pavillion (so long as I'm making it, why not?) where one room is where I sleep and all my non-period stuff, and the other is for beating the heat while I'm awake and entertaining a guest (probably too small for plural). Beyond that, I try,...

Mike F

Hey, Ralph, leave me you ARS membership before you go. Seriously, the tiniest bit of gas will make a huge explosion, (or huge enough to kill you) so if you want to use the propane tank, get a professional (talk to metal recyclers and maybe the fire department) to remove the valve and wash it with wa...

Mike F

When I did some CNC machining stuff at the local tech shcool, they required a tetanus shot be on record before they'd let you in. Mmmm. I'm seeing the doctor soon anyway (I freaking hope) so I'll ask if it's about time for another one. As has been pointed out, it's a hellova way to die. The way I se...

Mike F

It's nice to see people who care about at least the appearance of accuracy.

What areas do you operate in?

Mike F

Pad . . . You just made me sad. I didn't know Paw Paw died.

Neat tool, Hal, I'll have to look into that myself.

Mike F

Okay, ran outa room.

Mike F

During my trip to Japan I made a trip to Yoroi no Kozando and purcahsed a menpo. I was fairly amuzed by watching the x-ray tech see this metal facemask go through the machine.

So, with little ado, let's get on to the pictures!

Mike F

Mmmmm. Yup, Mac has the eye, that's certain. And Dr. Capwell has spectacular taste and if he bought it, I assure you, it's accurate. Spectacular harness. This is the second Mac suit I've seen, and if this moves the way the other did (I got to touch it!) then Dr. Capwell is the luckiest man I've met....

Mike F

Doesn't make me wrong.

The two and one is preference, the rotation is not. I'm sure someone will cite something to make me wrong, but I havn't seen an example yet.

I'm not sure how you'd do it on the boss, either. Given your suggestions, I'd take the plain or the four crosses all right way up.

Mike F

If I'm correct, they would not rotate charges like that around a centerpoint. Remember, these are designed to be facing forward in the wind or a charge.

And personally I'd do three (in a two and one) crosses countercharged, but that's me.

Mike F

Gun oil works, as does wax. I'm not a fan of shiney armor, so I'm not the person to ask, though.

WD-40 does the trick for a while, but it builds up.

Mike F

Yea. I know that. That's why I suggested getting something else if he wanted to sharpen it. He mentioned that people liked sharpening them just to have them, but I pointed out people still used swords to cut things.

Mike F

Don't bother sharpening it. You may ruin it and they'll have you peace-bind it at a Ren Faire. If you draw a sword outside of a pre-approved skit, they usually get rid of you if not get the police involved. If you want to buff it up pretty but avoid really tedious stuff, just get a 3M Scotchbrite pa...

Mike F

I know very little on leather, but from my understanding, you're drying it out when you bake it, so re-moistening it should work with few side-effects.

Beware shrinkage, though.

Ask House of the Wolf, he'd know. He's good at this.

Mike F

It's 16ga 1050. I hope it'll hold up for a while once it's hardened. I moved the front down, did some work on the front edge (maybe going to the other extreme, but I'll fix it with epoxy when painting if that's an issue) The plate was giving me no end to grief, and while I did some side-plate formin...

Mike F

I'm looking for any sort of feedback on this besides the front edge of the top plate needing a little bit of a decorative curve. I'm not sure if I'll shorten that plate yet or not.

Anyway, seeing what people think and sharing with the rest of you.

Mike F

Wasn't the general point of war to plunder an enemy's land? Or at least to acquire it? All I can add to this is that last I recall, Sun Tzu mentioned plundering and I believe regulation of it, but that was far from both codified law and a ban on plundering. How did the Roman Legion react to plunderi...

Mike F

I've got pictures of some links Erik S. made, (and some historic) but it sounds more like you want garments.

Mike F

Probably going to do the flush rivets, then. I don't think I have any 3/16 domes left anyway. I've rolled some of it already, actually. Many miles to go before I sleep. I'm tempted to russet it instead of powdercoating or lacquering it, but I'm not sure how that'd look. I would like to sell it at so...

Mike F

I invested in some cobalt drill bits a few months back. Best money I've ever spent (on drill bits, anyway). Once I get everything lined up I'll do the holes through both plates at once. In retrospect, maybe not the best idea for a uniform overlap, but it's quick and simple. It's getting another row ...

Mike F

Nope, I used the patterns on SengokuDaimyo. That's what gives the entire dou that nice curve without any real dishing done yet. They'll need some hotwork eventually to bring them all together nicely, and the edges aren't as clean as I'd like them, but it's not bad for a second attempt. It's also 20g...

Mike F

Huh, I figured someone would have mentioned this before. If you're looking for absolute thicknesses (you're a perfectionist, testing, SCA minimum regs, etc.) you want cold rolled. Hot rolled steel has much greater tolerance in thickness due to contraction when it cools. Otherwise, what they all said...

Mike F

Knuut's stuff is gorgeous and quite nice (although I've never seen any in person) but if you want to make your own, I found this site a while back.

http://www.geocities.com/welding_maille/

Mike F

Brian, I was all ready to yell at you until I saw why. Carry on.

Strongbow: From what I recall, the major differences are a disount on the ARS conferance, invite-only chats (like with Dr. Capwell), and the warm, fuzzy feeling.

I think it's all on the site.

Mike F

More pics. Late for class, so no ado.

Current project time: 4 hours.

Mike F

I figured I'd let you in on my newest project. It's still in the very early stages (IE: only one side is riveted, and even then, only in two spots per lame) but it's looking decent so far. Once the other side is riveted, it'll bough out to a proper shape, and then I shall hot-work the lames smooth t...

Kozando Menpo

Kabuto work in progress

Okegawa Dou - Work in Progress