The Armour Archive

Johann Lederer

I have a 150# Barnett wildcat. It shoots well, but it is a bit hard to do fast shooting with like timed Royal rounds. I have an aluminum prod that is around 60# I bought from a gentle from Atlantia. I built everything thus far with the exception of the stock. Denis the Decadent is the man in Aethelm...

Johann Lederer

I found a short piece of 8" ductile iron pipe at a construction dump. ( I asked if I could have it) Works well in a pipe vice.

Johann Lederer

Great looking rig! Love the tool idea. I think I like that better tan the adjustable creaser!

Johann Lederer

Do some hand stretching exercises to warm up before stitching. I have hand stitched a lot of ACW items, as well as did field repairs on tents from ACW to WWII. Canvas is heavy to work with and move around, pushing through the canvas and supporting it can be a huge pain. The clam idea is a great one....

Johann Lederer

Hal- Just an FYI The holster is post WWII (it could be a WWII dated holster, but the black is post war use) and the helmet liner is Vietnam era. The nape strap is missing from the liner, but it is a three point mount.

Johann Lederer

I hope Jackie gets better soon, being sick is horrible.

Johann Lederer

I have found rivet sets at flea markets but they are rare. You can make one using mild steel, but it won't last long. If you can find an air tool bit and drill the end larger than the rivet shank and polish it up, it will work. When I built a friend's Valsgard helmet I did that with an air tool bit ...

Johann Lederer

I made mine in a similar way. I got buckets from work that were thicker than the utility buckets for free. Bought Blacksmith leather from the Leather factory on sale, for $40 and bought roofing nails at the flea market. Mine cost about the same. I made it 8 years ago amd it is still going strong. I ...

Johann Lederer

I have flat pewter buttons on mine wit very short shanks. They were left over from my Rev War stash.

Johann Lederer

When I worked part time in a she metal shop, we used double ended jobber length bits. They were cheap and we bought them by the box.

Johann Lederer

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. Wh...

Johann Lederer

Aprons in later periods such as the 18th century utilized a button hole on the cotehardies such as this:
http://jas-townsend.com/tradesmans-apro ... -1168.html

I gather it was style that remained from earlier periods?

Johann Lederer

A buddy of mine bought his barrels here:
http://www.therifleshoppe.com/catalog_p ... gonnes.htm

Johann Lederer

You may want to look him up on facebook.

Johann Lederer

At present, I am not in the market, but I get asked about period chairs all the time. I think what turns most people away is the cost though.

Johann Lederer

Try this: https://archive.org/stream/applicationo ... p_djvu.txt

It really doesn't go into the how to do it at home though.

Johann Lederer

We have a surplus store near us that sells seconds of Ames True Temper handles. You have to do some picking, but you can get hammer handles for $1. they are unfinished, so you can go any way you wish for that. I have made my own already using hickory and ash. For me, it is much easier to buy them th...

Johann Lederer

I used Thompsons Water seal on my ACW A tent when I got it 15 years ago. The dang thing still reeks from the stench. Nice thing is that mice don't like the smell either...

Johann Lederer

I did what Thomas said with the railroad spike driving sledge. The nice thing about them is that they are hard and wear like iron (pun intended)

Johann Lederer

Many moons ago when I was in scouts, we had an aluminum patrol box. We had our made at the local Fruehauf trailer plant by one of the Dad's. There was a commercial manufacturer making steel and aluminum chuck boxes a while ago, I did a quick search and did not find the one I had seen. It appears mos...

Johann Lederer

Does anyone make repro German coins?
Specifically Pfennig, Hohlpfennig, or Wittenpfennig?

I have searched but my Google foo is weak

Johann Lederer

They poo poo'd my original request for a name Johann Fukkenschneller.

Johann Lederer

It is beautiful, my size and a great price! Even with our weather up here in the East, I would be hard pressed to wear it more than 3 times a year. Very tempted though...

Johann Lederer

depending on the length you want to heat, you may end up with several burners. My 20# propane forge is set up for two, but I only have one burner that doesn't work well, which is my fault.

Johann Lederer

Good idea Keegan! I have set up like that in my wood shop. ever have one of those projects where you need a specific tool, like a scroll saw and only ever use like 3 times after that? That is the way my shop is. LOL! I lucked out on most of my wood working tools. The only thing I bought full retail ...

Johann Lederer

I have a friend who went on a two week vacation in the western US. He shipped all his camping stuff by common carrier on a pallet. I know that is probably not useful for international things. Another thing you could think about is having a "Pennsic cache" Items you only use for Pennsic and store it ...

Johann Lederer

I like this guys ideas:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-too ... st19407265

I have a few "quick" connect items I use. I also made an interchangeable post that accepts dollies and different stakes.

Johann Lederer

If you are interested in the "rivet squeezer", you can also get an attachment for an air hammer that domes the rivets. You need to use a bucking bar with it or a domed surface. I made a rivet peener for my air hammer back when I put together a valsgarde helmet kit. It took way too long to hand peen ...

Johann Lederer

Sean Powell, on here, used to make plastic corrizinas but it depended on size. I am not sure if he is doing them right now since he moved.

Johann Lederer

I had noticed that in the past that several merchants would close when it rained or buttoned up making it appear they were closed. I think that if they would find a way to advertise (PI?) that the rain won't close them down, that they would get more business. I am an early shopper. I am up really ea...

Johann Lederer

I make a folded template (half a shield) then cut it out. I plotted mine at work with AutoCad.

Johann Lederer

I would caution about using tapered stakes in hardie holes in anvils. I have a friend who HAD a pristine 100# Fisher anvil and decided he would hammer hard on a stake placed in the hardie hole. He now has a two piece anvil, his heel cracked and it broke off. I stake holder is the safest bet. That be...

Johann Lederer

Nice Sevastian! This may turn exposed bar grille into a thing of the past! ?

Johann Lederer

I second what Losthelm said. If we know where you are, there may be someone close that could help you out, not only on securing a supply of metals, but with techniques and tooling to borrow. I know that sometimes it is nice to have someone to bounce questions off of or lend a hand...

Johann Lederer

Just a little anecdote: I was told many moons ago that a helmet is your most expensive investment. How much value do you put on your brain or your life. I did not get it at first. After getting my "bell rung" a few times, I sold my junk and had a decent helmet made. Concussions are nothing to scoff ...

Re: Advice on a target crossbow?

Re: Poor man's round anvil.

Re: Rapier Hanger Build

Re: Hand stitching canvas tents?

Re: Old US Army WWII gear.

Re: This is a cross post......

Re: Rivet help.

Re: Walmart Coat of Plates

Re: Buttons for a gambeson...

Re: Drill bit suggestions?

Re: Leather edge slicking question

Re: Armourers apron?

Re: WTB: gonne

Re: HJALMARHEIM ARMOURY UPDATE (Jan 31st)

Re: Market Survey - What might you want? ( woodworking )

Re: How Do You Make Hot-Stuffed Leather?

Re: Hammer handles

Re: Canvas Drop Cloth for Tent

Re: Making a T stake, and other kinds

Re: OT, Wanted: Aluminum Scout Patrol Box kits

WTB Replica 14th Century German coins

Re: Will the heralds pass it? Moderate nsfw

Re: Green Wool Houppelande, Linripie Hood Great Price!

Re: Gas forge question.

Re: Couple of space saving ideas

Re: Key things and recent lessons about traveling to Pennsic

Re: Couple of space saving ideas

Re: Domed rivets? Or flared? )SCA-specific)

Re: Plastic or Aluminum Corrazina kit? Looking for one -

Re: Pennsic Merchants Need Your Help

Re: Drawing the Perfect Heater Curve

Re: WTB/T armor/metal smithing stakes

Re: Custom Helm Grills: Open Orders Offering Stainless Now!!

Re: New armourer looking for a supplier

Re: Are these GDFB helms SCA legal?