Hi,
I'd like to work with my better half on her armour options. It's sort of like macho arts-and-crafts, with a beautiful female model. I love being married her!
Thanks!
-Aaron
Where do you buy black pickle-barrel plastic?
Car washes. Fire companys and especially training facilities. Some food products come in them, as well, and they aren't re-usable.
You want the _flat sided_ ones though, if you can find them. The smurfitt "barrel" shaped ones have some _really_ thick plastic, and the useable amount is pretty low once you get that out of the picture.
Call around.
You can also just go buy really good Rubbermaid trash cans, and "swap" with construction sites. I've yet to see one get pissed off at that.
You want the _flat sided_ ones though, if you can find them. The smurfitt "barrel" shaped ones have some _really_ thick plastic, and the useable amount is pretty low once you get that out of the picture.
Call around.
You can also just go buy really good Rubbermaid trash cans, and "swap" with construction sites. I've yet to see one get pissed off at that.
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InsaneIrish
- SQUEEE!
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- Location: Jefferson City Mo. USA
If you are going to cover it up then what difference does the color make?
you ARE going to cover it up right?
you ARE going to cover it up right?
Insane Irish
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
Peder wrote:Are there any other plastics or what not that can be used instead. I'm thinking specifically for body armour.
Tons. HDPE, Kydex, etc all work.
You can buy most of it in sheets, but it's more expensive than "recycling" the old stuff.
Aaron, if you need any help.. I made a gothic-ish suit entirely out of black plastic.
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InsaneIrish
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Maeryk wrote:If it's the thin stuff, and black, why?
"oh, I covered my black plastic with black leather. Now I'm PERIOD!"
EXACTLY.
YOU may consider it a useless step but alot of us don't.
Insane Irish
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
InsaneIrish wrote:Maeryk wrote:If it's the thin stuff, and black, why?
"oh, I covered my black plastic with black leather. Now I'm PERIOD!"
EXACTLY.
YOU may consider it a useless step but alot of us don't.
THen you are deluded. Black plastic, made right, looks identical whether covered with leather or not.
Covering non-period armor with period materials does not make it "look" period. ESPECIALLY when you basically end up with a type of armor never made out of leather that is now obviously leather.
If you stick with black plastic, and work with the thin parts, and avoid the printing on the plastic, it looks like painted metal at 10 feet, and more than passes the "attempt".
And please, don't even get me started on the "My plastic swiss-cheese breastplate is medieval armor because i have a surcoat made out of cotton trigger on over it" crowd.
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Sir Guy
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- Location: Caldwell, NJ/Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
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Well it HAS to be covered in Atlantia.............we have this here rule thingee..........
General:
The fighter should appear as a reasonable example of a warrior from the SCA's period of study (Pre-17th Century focusing on Renaissance and Middle Ages, per Corpora) to the casual observer.
All armor, shields, and equipment on the field are subject to the acceptance of the Crown or Their chosen representatives.
These rules are to be enforced for all participants on the field (except as indicated in the following). This includes marshals, fighters (both armored and rapier), combat archers, scouts and siege crews. Water bearers are specifically exempt from these rules.
Inspections:
Participants will be inspected at the same time as safety inspections and will be asked to sit out if their equipment is deemed unacceptably modern.
Damaged covering materials which expose a modern component will be judged unacceptable during the inspections held prior to any tournament or battle. Damage that occurs after the inspections will not result in ejection from participation in the combat the inspection covered. Combatants should, however, make a good faith effort to repair such damage as soon as possible.
Unacceptable Items:
Undisguised plastic may not be used as a component of any armor, clothing, decorative accessories, weapons, footwear or other item worn or used by a participant in combat in the kingdom of Atlantia if that component is completely or partially visible to other combat participants or spectators, unless it is effectively indistinguishable from a period counterpart per the exception below..
Uncovered carpet armor, undisguised sports gear, "blue jeans", military type fatigues, obviously-modern footwear, uncovered hockey gloves and all other undisguised equipment clearly "modern" in nature from 10 feet distant are explicitly banned from the field. This also includes items displaying visible commercial logos and bumper stickers.
The following guidance is provided for determining acceptable forms of footgear:
Leather or leather-look boots, in a color consistent with period practice are acceptable. This includes standard leather combat boots, but would exclude leather/nylon boots.
Use of borderline acceptable footgear that is of a color that causes it to stand out (from at least 10 feet) from the rest of the armor is not acceptable.
Plastic armor or modern sports equipment, whether kydex, ABS, HDDP or other, foam, pads, footwear, etc. should at all times be covered, unless it can positively contribute to the appearance of a fighter.
If the item in question becomes viewable only in certain body positions (such as the sole of modern shoes while kneeling), that is considered acceptable.
All plastic or modern sports equipment must be covered in a manner to disguise the material in an attempt to display historical pre-17th century armor to the average passerby.
Covering:
A modern (e.g. plastic materials, modern sports equipment) component may be used if it is hidden from view, by covering it with opaque covering materials not made of plastic, including but not strictly limited to; leather, metal, textiles with a period appearance and, where appropriate, stone or wood. Tapes, foils, films, transparent or translucent materials and any other inadequate or insubstantial coverings shall not be deemed an acceptable covering material. Paints, stains, and dyes are limited to period-looking usage as a covering material.
Covering materials which meet the letter of the law, but violate its spirit, will be banned at the discretion of the Sovereign or Their designated representatives. The spirit of the law includes making a reasonable attempt to recreate the appearance of items that would be used or worn in a melee or tournament in Europe prior to the 17th century in the periods commonly referred to as the Medieval or Renaissance.
Exceptions:
Plastic and other modern materials specifically required to promote safety or those that are medically required are exempt from this ruling. However, every attempt must be made, in good faith, to disguise those items. These items include, but are not limited to: eyeglasses or sports glasses when needed to correct a deficiency of vision, safety glasses, orthopedic footwear, required joint braces, etc.
Items of common question (lamellar, lacquered pieces or other unusual, but documented period designs) may be permitted at the discretion of the Crown or Their representative only if the appearance of that item can not be distinguished from its period counterpart and its display embraces the idea of historical pre-17th century armor.
Hand protection and shield edges may be made of plastic materials. However, it is the owner’s responsibility to attempt to disguise the appearance of those items to bring them in compliance with the spirit of this law. Uncovered hockey gloves are forbidden.
Duct tape and edge marking tape covering of weapons is explicitly excepted from the ban on the use of tape. Also use of tape for marking of sides in melees is acceptable. The use of duct tape for a field repair of armor will be allowed so long as the failure did not exist at the beginning of the day.
Fencing masks, blade tips/blunts and tip tape are acceptable for use on the field for rapier combat.
APDs and blunts based on plastic and modern materials are explicitly acceptable for combat arrows and quarrels, per Society and Kingdom standards for these items. Visible straping tape is allowed on combat arrows/quarrels to enable proper inspection of the items.
If there are site restrictions regarding use of non-marking soles, waivers for modern footgear may be obtained from the Earl Marshal, relevant deputies or the Crown.
Participants that are residents of another kingdom are to be considered our guests and are exempt from this ruling provided they meet SCA minimum standards. Newly transplanted citizens of Atlantia are to be granted a reasonable period of time (4 months per Kingdom Law, Section 10.1.4.5) to come into compliance with this rule.
General:
The fighter should appear as a reasonable example of a warrior from the SCA's period of study (Pre-17th Century focusing on Renaissance and Middle Ages, per Corpora) to the casual observer.
All armor, shields, and equipment on the field are subject to the acceptance of the Crown or Their chosen representatives.
These rules are to be enforced for all participants on the field (except as indicated in the following). This includes marshals, fighters (both armored and rapier), combat archers, scouts and siege crews. Water bearers are specifically exempt from these rules.
Inspections:
Participants will be inspected at the same time as safety inspections and will be asked to sit out if their equipment is deemed unacceptably modern.
Damaged covering materials which expose a modern component will be judged unacceptable during the inspections held prior to any tournament or battle. Damage that occurs after the inspections will not result in ejection from participation in the combat the inspection covered. Combatants should, however, make a good faith effort to repair such damage as soon as possible.
Unacceptable Items:
Undisguised plastic may not be used as a component of any armor, clothing, decorative accessories, weapons, footwear or other item worn or used by a participant in combat in the kingdom of Atlantia if that component is completely or partially visible to other combat participants or spectators, unless it is effectively indistinguishable from a period counterpart per the exception below..
Uncovered carpet armor, undisguised sports gear, "blue jeans", military type fatigues, obviously-modern footwear, uncovered hockey gloves and all other undisguised equipment clearly "modern" in nature from 10 feet distant are explicitly banned from the field. This also includes items displaying visible commercial logos and bumper stickers.
The following guidance is provided for determining acceptable forms of footgear:
Leather or leather-look boots, in a color consistent with period practice are acceptable. This includes standard leather combat boots, but would exclude leather/nylon boots.
Use of borderline acceptable footgear that is of a color that causes it to stand out (from at least 10 feet) from the rest of the armor is not acceptable.
Plastic armor or modern sports equipment, whether kydex, ABS, HDDP or other, foam, pads, footwear, etc. should at all times be covered, unless it can positively contribute to the appearance of a fighter.
If the item in question becomes viewable only in certain body positions (such as the sole of modern shoes while kneeling), that is considered acceptable.
All plastic or modern sports equipment must be covered in a manner to disguise the material in an attempt to display historical pre-17th century armor to the average passerby.
Covering:
A modern (e.g. plastic materials, modern sports equipment) component may be used if it is hidden from view, by covering it with opaque covering materials not made of plastic, including but not strictly limited to; leather, metal, textiles with a period appearance and, where appropriate, stone or wood. Tapes, foils, films, transparent or translucent materials and any other inadequate or insubstantial coverings shall not be deemed an acceptable covering material. Paints, stains, and dyes are limited to period-looking usage as a covering material.
Covering materials which meet the letter of the law, but violate its spirit, will be banned at the discretion of the Sovereign or Their designated representatives. The spirit of the law includes making a reasonable attempt to recreate the appearance of items that would be used or worn in a melee or tournament in Europe prior to the 17th century in the periods commonly referred to as the Medieval or Renaissance.
Exceptions:
Plastic and other modern materials specifically required to promote safety or those that are medically required are exempt from this ruling. However, every attempt must be made, in good faith, to disguise those items. These items include, but are not limited to: eyeglasses or sports glasses when needed to correct a deficiency of vision, safety glasses, orthopedic footwear, required joint braces, etc.
Items of common question (lamellar, lacquered pieces or other unusual, but documented period designs) may be permitted at the discretion of the Crown or Their representative only if the appearance of that item can not be distinguished from its period counterpart and its display embraces the idea of historical pre-17th century armor.
Hand protection and shield edges may be made of plastic materials. However, it is the owner’s responsibility to attempt to disguise the appearance of those items to bring them in compliance with the spirit of this law. Uncovered hockey gloves are forbidden.
Duct tape and edge marking tape covering of weapons is explicitly excepted from the ban on the use of tape. Also use of tape for marking of sides in melees is acceptable. The use of duct tape for a field repair of armor will be allowed so long as the failure did not exist at the beginning of the day.
Fencing masks, blade tips/blunts and tip tape are acceptable for use on the field for rapier combat.
APDs and blunts based on plastic and modern materials are explicitly acceptable for combat arrows and quarrels, per Society and Kingdom standards for these items. Visible straping tape is allowed on combat arrows/quarrels to enable proper inspection of the items.
If there are site restrictions regarding use of non-marking soles, waivers for modern footgear may be obtained from the Earl Marshal, relevant deputies or the Crown.
Participants that are residents of another kingdom are to be considered our guests and are exempt from this ruling provided they meet SCA minimum standards. Newly transplanted citizens of Atlantia are to be granted a reasonable period of time (4 months per Kingdom Law, Section 10.1.4.5) to come into compliance with this rule.
"Knighthood Is Only The Beginning"
"We Came Here to Die" Poland 2012
Sir Guy LeStrange, OP
Court Baron
Kingdom of the East
Armored Combat League (ACL) and International Medieval Combat Federation (IMCF) USAKnight Eastern Division
"We Came Here to Die" Poland 2012
Sir Guy LeStrange, OP
Court Baron
Kingdom of the East
Armored Combat League (ACL) and International Medieval Combat Federation (IMCF) USAKnight Eastern Division
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InsaneIrish
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- Location: Jefferson City Mo. USA
Maeryk wrote:
THen you are deluded. Black plastic, made right, looks identical whether covered with leather or not.
Covering non-period armor with period materials does not make it "look" period. ESPECIALLY when you basically end up with a type of armor never made out of leather that is now obviously leather.
If you stick with black plastic, and work with the thin parts, and avoid the printing on the plastic, it looks like painted metal at 10 feet, and more than passes the "attempt".
And please, don't even get me started on the "My plastic swiss-cheese breastplate is medieval armor because i have a surcoat made out of cotton trigger on over it" crowd.
I am not deluded. And there is not need to start a pissing contest over this. I simply have a more discerning eye when it comes to plastic armour. There has only been 1 time I have been "fooled" and that was with a brand new set of pewter colored AUK plate lamallar from Noble plastics.
You can rant and rave if you wish, but the simple fact of the matter is that plastic is a modern material and should be covered not matter if it formed into period shapes or not.
Insane Irish
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
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Rasper77
- Archive Member
- Posts: 602
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:12 pm
- Location: Dragons Mist, An Tir (Oregon)
I did my original upper leg armor with Abs sheet plastic.
Just put Alum foil over my BBQ and a large cookie sheet and ran it on low watching the temp.
Worked wonders. (If trying this have a bigger bbq)
I made alot of starter armor pieces like that.
Just put Alum foil over my BBQ and a large cookie sheet and ran it on low watching the temp.
Worked wonders. (If trying this have a bigger bbq)
I made alot of starter armor pieces like that.
"If you look good, you feel good.
If you feel good, You fight better."
So make it look good
If you feel good, You fight better."
So make it look good
I think there's an experiment that needs to be done, just as a way of testing perception.
I know that one of the reasons that we stopped using hardwood spear shafts was a problem with marshalls not being able to distinguish between red oak and red cedar. I know currently there is a level of difficulty in distinguishing pultruded fibreglass from pvc in the same application. At least the plastics are typically labeled in a clear manner.
So, I would like to see how a random sampling of fighters/marshalls/spectators would do at distinguishing black plastic from black leather from black horn used in armour applications.
I know that one of the reasons that we stopped using hardwood spear shafts was a problem with marshalls not being able to distinguish between red oak and red cedar. I know currently there is a level of difficulty in distinguishing pultruded fibreglass from pvc in the same application. At least the plastics are typically labeled in a clear manner.
So, I would like to see how a random sampling of fighters/marshalls/spectators would do at distinguishing black plastic from black leather from black horn used in armour applications.
Gavin Kilkenny
Proprietor
Noble Lion Leather
hardened leather armour and sundry leather goods
www.noblelionleather.com
Proprietor
Noble Lion Leather
hardened leather armour and sundry leather goods
www.noblelionleather.com
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InsaneIrish
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- Location: Jefferson City Mo. USA
I was going to reply with an in kind snide remark to you Maeryk, but I realized arguing with you is like mud wrestling a pig. Eventually all you get is dirty and you find out the pig likes it.
Insane Irish
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
InsaneIrish wrote:I was going to reply with an in kind snide remark to you Maeryk, but I realized arguing with you is like mud wrestling a pig. Eventually all you get is dirty and you find out the pig likes it.
Or, you could admit that non-period = non-period.
Cleats with spats on them are not period footwear.
Plastic armor with leather glued to it is not period armor.
Glasses, sneakers, combat boots, Underarmor, neoprene knee pads, etc, aren't period.
Making "cover it" rules so that those who choose to fight in "modern materials" have an excuse to do so, and leeway to do so, is disingenuous.
Whether it's covered in leather or not, it's plastic armor. It doesn't weigh, move, or feel like "real" armor. So any rules to cover are merely window dressing, and silly.
There are a few catalogs that sell the barrels for like $40 to 50. My old shop had them and our forman was going to order some for me til I found the carwash around the corner with the good thick white barrels for free.
Sigifrith Hauknefr - SCA fighting is not a recreation of anything...
Baron Joseph Harcourt - House Serpentius. East Kingdom.
Baron Joseph Harcourt - House Serpentius. East Kingdom.
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Rasper77
- Archive Member
- Posts: 602
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:12 pm
- Location: Dragons Mist, An Tir (Oregon)
Maeryk wrote:InsaneIrish wrote:I was going to reply with an in kind snide remark to you Maeryk, but I realized arguing with you is like mud wrestling a pig. Eventually all you get is dirty and you find out the pig likes it.
Or, you could admit that non-period = non-period.
Cleats with spats on them are not period footwear.
Plastic armor with leather glued to it is not period armor.
Glasses, sneakers, combat boots, Underarmor, neoprene knee pads, etc, aren't period.
Making "cover it" rules so that those who choose to fight in "modern materials" have an excuse to do so, and leeway to do so, is disingenuous.
Whether it's covered in leather or not, it's plastic armor. It doesn't weigh, move, or feel like "real" armor. So any rules to cover are merely window dressing, and silly.
Now what about the people that technicly didnt have armor back then..
Ie the folk who do plastic Hidden armor under cloths..
Technicly 90% of what they wear isnt "Period"
Would you just ban being able to be that persona on the fighting field?
Just curious
Cause if you wouldnt have had the armor.... I dont kn
"If you look good, you feel good.
If you feel good, You fight better."
So make it look good
If you feel good, You fight better."
So make it look good
Rasper77 wrote:Maeryk wrote:InsaneIrish wrote:I was going to reply with an in kind snide remark to you Maeryk, but I realized arguing with you is like mud wrestling a pig. Eventually all you get is dirty and you find out the pig likes it.
Or, you could admit that non-period = non-period.
Cleats with spats on them are not period footwear.
Plastic armor with leather glued to it is not period armor.
Glasses, sneakers, combat boots, Underarmor, neoprene knee pads, etc, aren't period.
Making "cover it" rules so that those who choose to fight in "modern materials" have an excuse to do so, and leeway to do so, is disingenuous.
Whether it's covered in leather or not, it's plastic armor. It doesn't weigh, move, or feel like "real" armor. So any rules to cover are merely window dressing, and silly.
Now what about the people that technicly didnt have armor back then..
Ie the folk who do plastic Hidden armor under cloths..
Technicly 90% of what they wear isnt "Period"
Would you just ban being able to be that persona on the fighting field?
Just curious
Cause if you wouldnt have had the armor.... I dont kn
Hell, I'm not talking about _banning_ anything.
I'm talking about covering something done for the sake of upping your performance, and then saying it's "medieval looking".
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Neria Discordia Scythia
- Archive Member
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:17 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia
Maeryk wrote:Be nice, Gavin. Everyone knows the discerning eye realizes that a plastic Churburg is an affront to God, but a garment leather coated churgurg.. now, _that_ is some damn fine medievaling!
I'm just curious how discerning the eyes are.
I definitely get the point that covering the modern material doesn't magically transform it. I'm just a little curious as to how many of the eyes that are so offended by the modern material can really tell if it's live or Memorex.
Gavin
Make whatever armour, period or not. Just make sure it doesn't look like ass. If it does, ask for help. Pretty sure they didn't use rattan. I know that is a cop out.
Damon wrote:In their own little world they are like this huge evil overlord however in the grand scheme of things they are just this sad little hamster going squeek squeek squeek in their own little ball.
Kilkenny wrote:Maeryk wrote:Be nice, Gavin. Everyone knows the discerning eye realizes that a plastic Churburg is an affront to God, but a garment leather coated churgurg.. now, _that_ is some damn fine medievaling!
I'm just curious how discerning the eyes are.
I definitely get the point that covering the modern material doesn't magically transform it. I'm just a little curious as to how many of the eyes that are so offended by the modern material can really tell if it's live or Memorex.
Gavin
Well, since you can't legally _get_ whalebone anymore, you have to use the next best thing, Saudi ARabian Whalebone..
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sha-ul
- Archive Member
- Posts: 10636
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:16 pm
- Location: barony of vatavia,calontir, west of Wichita
- Contact:
Maeryk wrote:Glasses,aren't period.(heavy snippage)
aren't period for who?
there are benefits to being in the 16C Illuminatti
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience
Whoops.
I think I’ll go crawl in a hole now. Can someone provide me documentation on how I should do that for an English lord of 1461 AD?
I’ll stick with the mild steel and other versions of steel for a bit.
I thought that the black plastic would be
because
My bad. Please accept my apologies over this problem.
With humble apologies to all,
-Aaron
I think I’ll go crawl in a hole now. Can someone provide me documentation on how I should do that for an English lord of 1461 AD?
I’ll stick with the mild steel and other versions of steel for a bit.
I thought that the black plastic would be
effectively indistinguishable from a period counterpart
because
it can positively contribute to the appearance of a fighter.
My bad. Please accept my apologies over this problem.
With humble apologies to all,
-Aaron
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Tibbie Croser
- Archive Member
- Posts: 2373
- Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:09 pm
- Location: Storvik, Atlantia
Aaron, you shouldn't have to apologize for people from other kingdoms starting an argument. *You* didn't start the fight, they did. You just asked for information. If what you want to end up with is fine with the Atlantian heavy marshals, then don't worry about it. You didn't make the Atlantian appearance rule, anyway. Tell those who disagree with the rule to take their argument to Logan or whichever other monarch made the rule.
Now that searching is available again, you could search the AA for posts on plastic sources.
Would hardened leather be an option? Several merchants sell premade leather lamellae and scales.
Now that searching is available again, you could search the AA for posts on plastic sources.
Would hardened leather be an option? Several merchants sell premade leather lamellae and scales.
Flittie Smeddum of Dagorhir
Tibbie Croser of the SCA
Tibbie Croser of the SCA
Good point Flittie:
Aaron, I have succesfully made a lot of REALLY NICE plastic armor. If you need help, or anything, let me know. I'd be more than happy to help you with it.
If you want new barrels, McMaster Carr and a couple of the other industrial supply houses sell em, brand new, with the nice flat sides that work great for armour.
As stated, carwashes are also a good source. "laundry sour" comes in 15 gal tote-drums, which are clear/white and fairly thin. They work well for hidden plates and such, and you can get them from places like retirement homes and such, they usually just throw them out. WASH THEM WELL, the stuff is caustic. They also take paint pretty well.
Avoid true "pickle barrel" because it's very thin, and will get brittle over time and start to shatter. (IE: 5 gallon buckets).
You can also get HDPE sheet from some suppliers. This is good and bad. It's somewhat expensive, but you don't have to work within the barrel size/design to shape your pieces, but it also doesn't have the natural pre-curve the barrel has, so it tends to want to flatten back out when it gets hot (like in your trunk for a week over the summer).
Barrels _do_ work absolute wonders for one thing.. and that is a lorica in the "collapsible cup" style. Just a series of rings that overlap, connected by a leather or seat-belt strap that runs up the sides and back, and they close up the front. Just cut rings out of the barrel, and size accordingly. Throw a tabard over it, and you have very quick, very easy armor, that if sized right, even looks half decent under cover.
Aaron, I have succesfully made a lot of REALLY NICE plastic armor. If you need help, or anything, let me know. I'd be more than happy to help you with it.
If you want new barrels, McMaster Carr and a couple of the other industrial supply houses sell em, brand new, with the nice flat sides that work great for armour.
As stated, carwashes are also a good source. "laundry sour" comes in 15 gal tote-drums, which are clear/white and fairly thin. They work well for hidden plates and such, and you can get them from places like retirement homes and such, they usually just throw them out. WASH THEM WELL, the stuff is caustic. They also take paint pretty well.
Avoid true "pickle barrel" because it's very thin, and will get brittle over time and start to shatter. (IE: 5 gallon buckets).
You can also get HDPE sheet from some suppliers. This is good and bad. It's somewhat expensive, but you don't have to work within the barrel size/design to shape your pieces, but it also doesn't have the natural pre-curve the barrel has, so it tends to want to flatten back out when it gets hot (like in your trunk for a week over the summer).
Barrels _do_ work absolute wonders for one thing.. and that is a lorica in the "collapsible cup" style. Just a series of rings that overlap, connected by a leather or seat-belt strap that runs up the sides and back, and they close up the front. Just cut rings out of the barrel, and size accordingly. Throw a tabard over it, and you have very quick, very easy armor, that if sized right, even looks half decent under cover.