The Armour Archive

I'm new to armoring thus would like some advice. I'm heading out to Gundo's hammer-in this weekend and have no real idea what to expect and more importantly what to bring.

I have an inexpensive set of ball-pean hammers and a small 10 pound anvil for rivet setting. I was thinking of stopping by harbor freight today to pick up a deadblow mallet, though I'm not sure what would kind would be best. I've got a small collapsable work bench that might be useful. Beyond that, I'm just not sure what else would make sense to bring. I've got a some miscellaneous tools (hack saw, etc), but have no idea what would be used and don't want to try bring it all.

Given that this is my first event like this, I'm also not sure what I can expect to have time to make. I'll be there for the whole event (Fri/Sat/Sun). Not only am I new to armoring, I'm also new to fighting and need everything except a helmet. How much of the required items would I likely be able to crank out over three days? I do pick up stuff reasonably quickly and plan to put in as many hours as possible.

And last... I want to learn to add brass edging if possible. So, since I need to buy a bit of brass before I come, what size and thickness should I get?

My long term plan is even if I don't get into the full craft of armoring, I want to understand what goes into it and to be able to modify, fix, and add stuff like edging to pieces I might purchase.

Thanks,
--Richard

Hey Richard!
Sorry again for not being able to carpool to the Hammer-IN. Would have been cool! Still will be nice to meet you. I am pretty new to this whole thing- but as for getting brass, I know of a really cool scrapmetal place in WI that has a lot of brass as they get scrap from a horn (musical instrument) factory. Is pretty cheap, like $1-$4 a pound. Am planning on a trip up there in a couple of weeks if interested. Will have to be early on a Saturday (UK!) but there isn't much of a choice.
I don't have much in the way of advice on tools- new to this whole thing myself.
If you do go to HF today- do they have anvils? I am looking for a cheap small (5 or 10 lb.) anvil to set rivets and flatten maille rings on. Any chance you can pick one up for me and I'll pay you at Gundo's?
Thanks! See you Friday!
~Kevin

Hey Kevin... if I can get over there before they close today, I'll pick one up for you. I think they have a small 15 lb anvil for about $10. And if I can I'll head up to get the brass with you, my daughter plays soccer on Saturday mornings so I may have to see if I can get you to pick some up for me unless my wife takes her to the game.

--Richard

Bring lots of paper/whatever ands pens/sharpies for making copies of his patterns. Bring gloves and hearing protection. If you have any favorite hammers or want to learn how to modify one you already have he can help. Bring a camera. Books or pictures of anything you may want to try making or figure out patterns for.
Can't think of anything else off the top of my head. Wish I was able to make it this year

Sasuke

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www.oaksarmoury.com

Sasuke, thanks for the additional items for my list, I had forgotten to write down the safty items... doh!

What gauge brass should I bring for trim and how wide should it be? I'm thinking width would be ~1.25 inches and 20 gauge?

Thanks Richard!
If you make it to HF great. If not, no problem. Where is one? I suppose I could check the website- there is probably one in Chicago, I just don't know where.
No problems if you can't make it, just us armour hounds like to poke through scarpyards looking for neat tidbits!
I'll share whatever I find, with minimal service charges! LOL!
I'll be bringing a bunch of sharpies (in numerous colors)...
I'll be bringin my collection of books, but as for tools I have none... Want to make a couple for rivetted mail while down there if I can.
~Kevin

I know that safety gear was mentioned, but some people never seem to think of
*EYE PROTECTION*
The grinder, and a million other tools are only your friend if they can't take an eye

deleted

Hi Ingrid, for this area I've only heard mention of one hammer-in possibly being planned for the spring in northern Indiana. I can't remember who it was that was talking about doing it, but I'm sure he'll post here on the AA again when the time gets closer.

Hey Ingrid,
I think we've met at TGS practice- I'm the new guy in they full plate.
I'll let both of you know when (and if) we have an open armouring day coming up at my mentors place.

~Kevin
Richard~ See ya Tomorrow!

I thought there was a Spring hammer in being talked about, at least, in S.Minnesota.
Or maybe it was in Indiana, and I just decided that was close enough. :/

-- jt --

I believe that was Conrad the Mad's plan, to hold one in the Spring somewhere around South Bend, IN perhaps?

Sounds like a good idea!

I've got some spares on safety glasses and hearing protection, and a goodly amount of posterboard and sharpies on hand, so nobody panic if you forgot them.

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Gundobad,
Wise Ogre Armory

"Always be seeking deeds of arms - DeCharney"

A position worth taking, is worth defending.

so where is the brass place in wi?