The Armour Archive

The other post about "squid" basket hilts for swords reminded me that I wanted to ask this as well.

I'm looking for a simple, light, protective and easy shield basket design that I can help newbies build to get themselves on the field. Plastic, Alluminum and steel designs welcome. Please nothing that requires welding.

I'm sure I could cludge something myself but I'm looking for good suggestions.

Thanks,
Sean

Simplest way? Make a T out of 5-6 inch squares, making the squares at top of the T about a half inch longer for the flange to hold it on. Let's try some character lineart as I'm not sure that makes sense.

So the t looks like

tttttttttttttttt
tttttttttttttttt
tttttttttttttttt
.....tttttt
.....tttttt
.....tttttt

yes?

Now fold the bottom and side protrusions of the T in, so you have a three sided, open bottom box. A vice is useful here.

Now for that flange. Just bend ends of the two longer squares over a bench end, anvil side, whatever, until it is at a 90 degree angle with the sides, either with the vice or just pounding it with a hammer- if it's thick aluminum I'd suggest hammering. Drill holes in the flange for mounting. There ya go!

I've done this one in street sign aluminum with decent results. I've seem similar designs in plastic, and steel's an option too.[/u]