Faking a dished + rim shield

Glaukos the Athenian · Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:05 pm

Some styles of shields have a curved/dished center, and a flat edge/rim.

I was planning on making a version of this shield during the winter:

I was considering a curved based of wood or aluminum, and thinking about covering the front with a layer of blue foam of death, but allowing a 2 inch off on the edge, to create the illusion of the flat rim, then covering the whole thing with sturdy canvas and using epoxy or another hardener.

Do you guys think this would work? Is there a major issue I am not considering in advance that may make this fail...

Thanks!

Glaukos

losthelm · Post by **losthelm** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:08 pm

A lot depends on the epoxy. some will disolve the foam.
If your planing to use the shield the epoxy shell may crack under impact.

Depending on application and how good you are with modeling doing this as a vacuform may be an option... Paint can hide the plastic adding texture and detail.

Blackoak · Post by **Blackoak** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:36 pm

You could try a leather rim. It will build it up and help reinforce the rim.

Uric

Johann Lederer · Post by **Johann Lederer** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:55 am

I have seen people mold fiberglas over styrofoam(?) forms. I am not sure what kind of foam it is, but it is rigid not like camp mat foam. I believe fiberglas truck caps use similar technology?

Johann Lederer · Post by **Johann Lederer** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:59 am

G man...
Try here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188980

Glaukos the Athenian · Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:40 pm

I think I am just incompetent in communication. My wife might agree with that...

What I meant was that instead of dishing the center of the shield and leaving the edge flat, I can add a soft layer on top, a little short of the edge, and then cover the whole thing with canvass and paint.

That way I could get the "raised" effect with the "rim" a little back from the surface of the shield.

Also, that way I can create the illusion of a cut-out Beoiotian shield with cutouts on each side, simply by shaping the layer of top blue foam, and painting the "cutouts" flat black.... as opposed to the glossy decoration on the seemingly actual surface of the shield.

My main problem is that I suck at painting. The owl on my Aspis took me forever..... and it was semi-traced..... That Gorgon face and the cat look like a daunting project from the artistic perspective.....

Glaukos