Noted! Thanks :) And I'd rather not start a new thread for such a simple question, but I do have a question: What's a simple and effective way to secure a piece of sheet metal to a workbench when using electric shears? Also, I don't have a whole lot of room on my workbench, so something that can be ...

Very cool! Thanks for the link I'm thinking spaulders, gorget, helm, legs, but I have some time to think about it. When I've come up with a plan of action (mats list, methods of construction, etc...), I'll post it and see what y'all think.

With all that, I'd say go right ahead, and pitch into building 'em for the wars. Right on, I'll do that. My main goal for now is to gear myself up for war anyway. It might take some time to be able to craft the pieces I want, but learning how to do it and knowing everything about each piece will be...

Hello again, Konstantin! You and I have chatted on the maille forums as well :) (And I now realize that losthelm is over there, too, and has helped me out a bit!) I am, in fact, in the process of getting more involved with my local SCA group, Barony of the Steppes. I've met some blacksmiths and was ...

Again, thanks for all the advice! I will certainly consider it when planning my first project. Unfortunately, my foster pup is taking up a lot of my time at the moment, but as soon as I find a home for him I'll be making plans for a piece of armour (and would like to run it by you guys before I star...

Thanks for the advice! I'll certainly look into the articles--thanks Scott! The tools I have available are: Various hammers, snips, power sheers that I haven't used yet (14ga capability), an 1860s PW anvil my dad gave me, a 4" mushroom stake, and some other stuff. Losthelm - For now, I'm not terribl...

Hello, I'm just getting started with the whole blacksmithing / armouring thing. Because of lack of tools and space and such, I'm going to be building cold (no forge / heat source). Because heavier gauges are more stubborn when working cold, I'm planning to use lighter gauge sheets to form pieces. To...