The Armour Archive

Anywa, short version:

Making a peascod breast plate. Raising it from a point just above the navel has given me the shape I want and it curved around nicely. My plan was to raise the item and stop at the skirt line, giving in the start of the skart flare. I then did raising passes alkong the skirt to give me "slack" to work with.

Then I put it on my creasing stake to define the flare. No matter how carefully I go, no mater how much I try to define the skirt carefully, the whole thing begins to deform.

Looking down, I want the curve of the front of the breastplate to be a subtle curve around the body sort of "U". But as i flare the skirt, it goes "V"

How do you keep the skirt line in a gentle curve while you flare the skirt?

Use the flare to press the curve in the right shape. You'll have to stretch the flared part evenly over the entire length if you want to get an even curve. If you want a tighter curve, or even a bend, stretch the flare over a shorter distance.

It's not easy to describe, but simply demonstrated. Practice on a scrap piece: put a 90 degree bend along the long side, perhaps 1-3 cm wide, and stretch (thin) the bent part on the flat of the anvil with the peen of your hammer, with the stretching direction along the length of the scrap piece. See what happens.

Another alternative: work hot, the metal will only move where it's hot, and stay put where it's cold.

I think a cut & weld on it would also work.

Minotaur,

I am working hard to avoid the cut and weld. Tis is actually the "mark II",
I ended up cutting and welding, and that started the destruction...

I am going to try hot working the skirt about six inchec from the center on each side. Do you think I should be able to move teh meal enough at that point to at least get a sort of \___/ effect?

*BUMP*

Suggestions?