The Armour Archive

Bender

My custom rates are generally four times what a production item costs. I work a day job,so I can afford to turn cheapskates away.

Bender

Figure out a way to make a little plastic tent you can heat and work in,and take down when not in it.

Bender

that's a reasonable price-it takes about an hour to make one. I have made WAY too many of these in the past. Going to learn cad and find out how much they want to have stuff like this laser cut in future.

Bender

Bender, Thank you for the synopsis of your grinding processes! Do you use the green compound and the stainless compound together?... of the same sisal wheel?! ... or first one and then the other? Mac I use a combo of both to cut with the sisal. And finish with just green on a cloth buff after strip...

Bender

I noticed that too, they appear too uniform in size and shape to be rags, etc. The polisher in the back has two more of them next to his bowl that also looks like they might be sitting on some cloth. Do you think they might be whetstones for polishing areas the wheel can't get to? They might be sto...

Bender

Sanding is always a good way to sharpen up lines-but I have to start with thicker material. I get variable speed sanders for this stuff. Coarse grind of welds is about 50 grit zirc usually. Secondary is 150, then I go to 220 and finish before buff with 400. Buff is a sisal with a combo of green and ...

Bender

No one has a lock on helmet designs dating back thousands of years. Do what is the best for your turn around.

Bender

dog armor. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73 ... c74c8a.jpg

Bender

Use twill canvas for the arms and double it at the points. Holes for laces were made by forcing a large awl through the fabric,them whip stitching tightly around the edge to make an eyelet. A lot of low cost armor was made by using layers of fabric and stiffening it with tons of this kind of constru...

Bender

Buckle plates are super easy. Thick brass and steel are available at your local metal recycling yard or scrap yard. I use metal shears to cut out the rough plate, a belt sander to grind it to shape, a drill press and flat/round files to form the center prong hole, and a wire wheel to debur the edge...

Bender

Custom work is a big investment. Hours spent designing, adjusting fit, and decorative bits add up. When a customer backs out its takes longer to find a new buyer if at all. Having money and resources tied up in equipment your not using, materials you can't use, or stock that won't sell when working...

Bender

Not taking orders-but once upon a time someone gave me a bunch of bits from Raymonds and some 14 g bronze sheet-and I made this. He wanted a "ventilated party hat with style". He got one.

Bender

pretty much everything I make is custom and I don't take commissions. the trick is getting me to agree to make you something ;) And that usually involves not being a pushy, cheap, prick on the rare occasions I'll do one. So, clearly, you've found the answer. Now, for the pro and the semipro maker, ...

Bender

mrks wrote:pretty much everything I make is custom and I don't take commissions.
the trick is getting me to agree to make you something

And that usually involves not being a pushy, cheap, prick on the rare occasions I'll do one.

Bender

I had physical issues for years that kept me from doing armor. I work a day job to pay bills now.

I hope your customers will be compassionate.

Bender

That you cannot get so many armorers to do custom work for you? They need to pay bills?

Bender

Because custom work tends to be a money loser. You never get compensated for the time involved. I wish people would figure that out.

Bender

You might want to try some jousting pages on face book. I'm setting one up on Monday. Sca people seem to have no interest in period authentic gear.

I'll post a link back then.

Bender

Sven says Go for it Geoffrey..I'm not dead!

I'll be posting some pics of projects myself soon.

Bender

I made one out of a thick nylon washer with a quarter inch bolt for a mandrel. I run it in a drill press with a plywood cut out when I want to do a lot of finished edges. Use Gum Tragacanth for the best edge sealer. I do hand bevel the edges first, to round them. The result is very professional. Whe...

Bender

I've never had other people in my shop work out in any way. The best liability avoidance is the word no.

Bender

I've made interesting forming tools by buying heavy "pipe bends" and fitting them to uprights. http://3.imimg.com/data3/OR/OF/MY-25522 ... 00x500.jpg

Bender

Something I built to complete my new shop. I've always had similar thing in shops I had before. This lets me have flexibility and the ability to move the thing to get 2 by four foot sheets of steel into the shear. The cast iron stake plate was from Iron Mountain Forge,about 92 bucks to my location w...

Bender

I had a couple of knife makers in my shop as part of a deal to get some armor sold at events. The deal was that they replace any tools they broke,any materials they used and bring me back cash. I'd also give them a commission. So like,one day in one breaks a small cast iron hand vise-it cost me five...

Bender

That sucks Jeffrey.....Sven.

Bender

I made one a while back too.

Bender

yanno,this could also double as a firepit in a pinch

Bender

I already said he was reliable. You were informed he's having issues after complaining about his lack of response. When I see complaining, I like to enlighten people about having realistic expectations. Guys like you seem to assume that small armorers are like a fast food place. An average armorer i...

Bender

Jeff is an upfront guy, but you have to realize that people who do work for fringe markets aren't always going to be reliable on short term notice. Plan your needs farther ahead, or go with in stock armories. Three months notice is not usually enough. Poor planning on your part does not constitute a...

Bender

My lames and such come out of press dies,so if I use the same pattern I get extreme consistency. I make three witness marks at the edges and in the center to indicate where it needs to lie, in the extended position. Punch the outside holes in all of the lames with a center punch mark to drop in the ...

Bender

Your work has lovely contours,I am jealous. As far as rolls go,I find them far easier to do when I work them over wood. Using a soft plastic mallet allows a nice smooth curve, while not creating corners. In the end,I am left with far less in the way of planishing to smooth them. Doors on greaves are...

Bender

I may just go back to what I had before. http://www.trick-tools.com/Roper-Whitney-No-17-Medium-Duty-Bench-Punch-131020170-6478#.VdJrNZenmf4 The bottom die is crowned,it did do curves up inside of helmet skirts. You could also get slotting punches for it, though they were 110 bucks a pop. I had a jou...

Bender

yes,I needed something that could deal with 14 gage stainless. I never made much of a profit doing mild steel stuff.

Bender

I liked the 6 inch deep throat for making viking helms. A 2 inch is pretty useless for making helmets.

I'll post a link next time.

Bender

I sort of figured that anyone who had one would know without looking at pictures man. I'm looking for user input,not a photo op. It's a $600.00 tool.

Re: $100/hr shop rate

Re: Working in the cold

Re: Any interest in "full-fold" armor hinges?

Re: Dusting off the cobwebs

Re: Traditional Armor Finishing Processes

Re: Dusting off the cobwebs

Re: Thinking about doing beginner helms.

Re: Replacing armour: A Churburg 13 based project

Re: Replacing armour: A Churburg 13 based project

Re: How do I make buckle plates?

Re: why is it...........

Re: Best Smiths For Custom Helms?

Re: why is it...........

Re: why is it...........

Re: Shamrock Armoury is closing

why is it...........

Re: LF: 16th century armorer for SCA (US based)

Re: For Sale: Full Milanese Arm Defenses $399

Re: Replacing armour: A Churburg 13 based project

Re: Leather edge slicking question

Re: Liability waiver

Re: Hammers and tools and things

armoring bench

Re: How to not piss off a Master Armourer

Re: Stolen Armour in north An Tir

Re: Making a Stake Socket

Re: Polar Bear Forge... You Rock. Review.

Re: Reviews for Steingrim Stellari?

Re: Reviews for Steingrim Stellari?

Re: Heinrich punch

Re: Milanese harness in progress, continued

Re: Heinrich punch

Re: Heinrich punch

Re: Heinrich punch

Re: Heinrich punch