Got Clamps?

Halberds · Post by **Halberds** » Sun May 10, 2009 3:27 pm

I started on my Viking shield, this is the gluing stage.

It is made from 2 pieced of 1/4" plywood.
Each piece was wet dished with weights placed in the center and supported with an outside ring.

The wood sagged in to produce a concave shape.
No special tool jig was necessary.
I just stacked my fire bricks in a ring to support the outside perimeter.

However it did take several days to complete the shape as each piece was done separate.

More later.

Hal

AaronT · Post by **AaronT** » Sun May 10, 2009 5:33 pm

Looks great.

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Sun May 10, 2009 6:30 pm

I used to know a lady who made a round shield this way. Apparently after a few fight practices the glue failed and the 2 halfs of the shield de-laminated in a fairly spectacular way.

That said I've been thinking of doing the same thing for a while now, only with a few strategically placed rivets to reinforce the glue.

olaf haraldson · Post by **olaf haraldson** » Sun May 10, 2009 9:09 pm

Then she f^cked up the gluing. If it's done right, it should outlast the wood. a good, thin, smooth layer, well clamped or weighted so it's void free... and you should not have a problem.
My guess is, she either had voids in the gluing, due to uneven coverage or the glue being too thick in spots, or she used a low quality of materials to start with.

losthelm · Post by **losthelm** » Sun May 10, 2009 9:40 pm

it may be the glue or the surface prep.
Hal how much depth did you acheave at this size of your shield?
and what's the diamiter?

Konstantin the Red · Post by **Konstantin the Red** » Sun May 10, 2009 11:15 pm

Now Hal knows where all his clamps are. :twisted:

Halberds · Post by **Halberds** » Mon May 11, 2009 3:42 pm

Yes, now all my clamps are put back in their proper place.
It glued quite well.

Losthelm, it's dished about 1-1/2" not a lot... but enough to give it some style.
It is 24" in diameter.

Now, to finally put Mad Mat's shield boss to good use.

Hal

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:28 am

What about using cones? two layers of cones cut and the openings on opposite ends. Neat project Hal.

RoaK · Post by **RoaK** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:14 pm

I think you need to add a few more clamps... just to be safe... :lol:

Baron Alcyoneus · Post by **Baron Alcyoneus** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:50 pm

I heard Halberds is changing his name to Jed.

Halberds · Post by **Halberds** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:10 pm

Aep... Jed Clamp it.

I got to use more clamps on the other pieces.
This is the inside progress pics.

I made two rings and match drilled 1/4" holes in them.
I will match drill the wood at fit up with the outer band.
This is the front progress pic.

Lots of work on the iron ring band to do.
Next is a wood slab handle with brass pins.
Finish the carriage bolts to look like rivets.
Sandblast the mill scale off the metal parts.
Scrubby oil finish all the metal parts.
Assembly: (peen carriage bolts like rivets).
Add a leather carrying strap with buckle.

That shouldn't be to hard should it?
How does one attach the outside rolled metal band to the flange metal rings?

If I weld and grind it will burn up my wood.

Hal