The Armour Archive

Johann Lederer

I just did a quick google search and found this: m This is a very basic leather dying video, but is alot easier than typing out the complete steps I use. Another place to look is Tandy leather factory, they usually have pointers on using their products. There are a lot of different ways to dye leath...

Johann Lederer

Sean,
IIRC I think he had some of these listed before. His prices were what the market is/was, but I couldn't justify buying them. Too many other things sadly...

Johann Lederer

A guy in our shire bought one of his Valsgarde 6 kits in the beginning of November, it was like a week and he had it. He optioned out the pre dished parts also. Nice kit, LOTS of rivets! I thought about his gauntlets also, but for Christmas, my wonderful wife bought me a set of Blue Monkey gauntlets...

Johann Lederer

I do too!

I would have to say I agree on all the same points echoed here....I really wish he was making armour more frequently, but I respect his decision!

Johann Lederer

I have tried 3m spray on...I don't like it.
My best results were with Titebond II 50% thinned with water. I used that the second time and was much happier with the results, even on the aluminum.

Johann Lederer

My opinion: I use cheap canvas drop cloth canvas from the home center(s). I have friends that use cotton duck/trigger that is colored. Both hold up pretty well. I replaced the cover on my Aluminum this year, first time in 3+years.
YMMV...

Johann Lederer

How thick is your belt? If you decided not to return it to Raymond, you could always "skive" the back of the belt to reduce it's thickness. Skiving is basically scraping or cutting the flesh (rough suede) side of the leather to reduce it's thickness or taper it. It is done several ways, on...

Johann Lederer

Not to derail the thread, but I am wondering how brittle the powder coat is once it is on. Do you think it getting hit with clubs or metal would make it chip off?

Johann Lederer

For period tools:

http://www.netlabs.net/~osan/Mastermyr/

I am not sure, but someone had copies of the tools for sale a while back.

Johann Lederer

Doug,
How's it going with riveted maille? Your tutorial was awesome! Got me "re-" interested again!

Johann Lederer

Try here:

http://www.theringlord.com/

I have never bought from them, but the come high recommended. I make my own with homemade machinery...

Johann Lederer

Try here:
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/index.php

You have to register to see the pictures but it free. Lots of worthwhile information!

Johann Lederer

http://www.dellsleatherworks.com/waxlinenthread.htm

Dell is a good guy.

I have never bought thread from him, My buddy and I bought a couple spools for a saddling machine years ago, working on my last roll.

Johann Lederer

Woodstock wrote:I have te book mentioned above and although I've yet to complete construction I can say that the information is priceless.

And, Docmo is pretty easy to deal with if you have questions, he answers them pretty fast.

Johann Lederer

http://ballistaplans.caducus.com/index.htm

Great guy to deal with...plans are excellent!

Johann Lederer

I would venture out onto the surface of Mars wearing a speedo before I would fight SCA in a 14 guage helmet, legal or no. As i was told...the object in fighting is not to get hit! It still doesn't stop getting hit though! I have a 13-14 ga bascinet that I have fought in, but I like my 12 ga top Rom...

Johann Lederer

I was fortunate a while back when my father in law worked in a manufacturing prototype shop, I had a gang punch that made. It is a 2" 1/16" tooth pricking iron. It is a nice tool, but a few teeth are missing near one side. I am not sure what it was made of, but it seems a little brittle, a...

Johann Lederer

I think the two most influential "do it yourselfers" that inspired me most were Hal and Mattmaus. They both make most of the stakes and tools they need to do the fantastic armour work they have done already. I dabble and do small things, with the thought that once I get better I will be ma...

Johann Lederer

Check out Stonekeep....simple knees and elbows are usually in stock IIRC.

Johann Lederer

I bought mine from Ironmonger Armoury, at Pennsic.

http://www.ironmongerarmory.com/imgview ... rmor_tools

Johann Lederer

I use Trace Adams Knee pads for elbow pads. They are nice, and they are washable without too much trouble. The padding wraps up the sides pretty well.

The ones you posted are nice!

Johann Lederer

I have to agree with everyone that posted so far. If it is paint, a stripper will damage the cells of the leather, and even if it doesn;t, it probably will not take a dye after that that will look good. If it is dye, and it has a leather coating (resoline/and the like) a deglazer from Tandy MAY open...

Johann Lederer

I helped a friend do some investment casting for antique firearms a while back. It was very small scale, somewhere around 4 to 5# max. I don't think his furnace is anywhere able to cast a decent stake size though. Sorry I cannot be of more help. A while back Hal did some stakes up that were tapered ...

Johann Lederer

I bought my first basket hilt from jeweled rose on EBay. I understand they are affiliated with Ashcraft Baker. It was like $10 and they shipped it very fast. It is rugged and has been through 4 new guys already. They aren't pretty, but they work.

Johann Lederer

Donasian wrote:Put the anvil on the inside, smush the rivet head on the outside. Use a rivet setting tool to make the smushed end look nice.

-Donasian.

Thanks Donasian....

Johann Lederer

What I do is peen the rivet on the outside and dress it with a rivet set, it makes a domed head that way, OR you could get an impact hammer and make a rivet set to fit in it and peen it with that, if the helm is wide enough to fit the hammer.

I like the first option myself.

Johann Lederer

I bought a couple of things from him in the past. Mostly wall hangers, all before I started to go to a fair amount of events. The first dealing I had with him was excellent, fast shipping excellent communication.... The second time, not so nice, no communication, unknown shipping times and they were...

Johann Lederer

bantha, The only advise I can give you is what my experience was.... I work with 5 guys who hunt everything, I figured; I work with leather, I can do this. It is A LOT of work, more than what I was willing to invest. My experience was less than satisfactory and I can tell you, it was a lot cheaper t...

Johann Lederer

Flints...smoke and Fire company is where I have bought mine. Nice folk.

If you are looking for a non firing replica (Denix) try Grendel's Cave, They had a decent supply of them a while back.

Johann Lederer

I like mine just fine, though I up-gunned it with a more meaty zip gun than is provided. If the metal is pinched pretty tight between the anvils, you'll get a great planish. The only issue I have with it is the anvil post- it's held in place by friction (a squeezing pipe/allen bolt affair) and tend...

Johann Lederer

I used lightweight drill on mine, glued it on with titebond II, lasts for about a year or two before it gets lossened up.
http://tinyurl.com/6nhob6

Johann Lederer

ThorirKraki,
I think it would help you out if you advertised where you are located. Shipping pieces might be a little expensive depending on lengths.
Just my .02...

Johann Lederer

I have a 20x23 two story block garage that is at the end of my property. I have three milkhouse heaters I use upstairs in my shop and a kerosene radiant heater. I only heat when I am physically in the shop. I had a bad experience once with a kerosene heater that will not be repeated... I was given a...

Johann Lederer

Joe Piela of Lonely Mountain Forge has made some excellent Cavalry sports helmets. Unfortunately, the link I have for his website is down.

Johann Lederer

I have two opinions on this. My first helm was camp mat....just bad.... I have a bascinet with a sewn in handmade liner. It offers great comfort and is period, It does need to be washed occasionally though... And with my newer helm, I used 3/4" neoprene foam. This is similar to wrestling mat fo...

Re: 14 guage helmet?