The Armour Archive

I was wondering if anyone has ever used plastics such as UHMW PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) as forming tool in the building of armor

I have a mallet made of the stuff. Comes in handy. I also have a heavy duty cutting board that I use for things I don't want to get marred. Doesn't splinter or deform as much as wood. I usually clamp it in my vise and use the edge for flaring things over.

Sasuke

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www.oaksarmoury.com

I have both hammers and dishes of HDPE. I find that it's probably the best non-marring material that can be used for armouring. It's hugely impact-resistant, forms and cuts easily, doesn't compress/compact and is fairly cheap. HDPE is better than dishing in to wood, since it doesn't rob you of as much energy and it retains it's shape, improving your repeatability. Metal dishes are still better, but there are times when you need the workability or non-marring of HDPE. For hammers, HDPE allows you to get a very large face without the weight you'd have to deal with in a metal hammer of the same size, while also giving you the impact-resistance, non-marring, etc.


Frederich

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Sasuke:
<B>I usually clamp it in my vise and use the edge for flaring things over.

</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sasuke, that is a great idea.

Thanks,
Rob