German Gothic rerebrace question

[coreythompsonhm]

Tomorrow I was planning on getting my rerebraces started. I'm using the Archduke Sigismund of Tyrol suit as a reference. I have a pattern layed out and reference lines for the fluting. Then the question came up while I was mentally walking myself through the steps... Flute before or after rolling the rerebrace into its tubular shape (its one piece, riveted seam towards the body)? My gut tells me to flute before, my mind tells me that the flutes will flatten and distort when I curl the rerebrace into its final shape. I also think that I'm thinking too much about this and just need to go with my gut.

So, what would you guys do?

Also, if you suggest fluting after curling the rerebrace, what stake do you use that I don't have?

[Sean Powell]

Flute after, always after. The flutes will set the shape and make rolling nearly impossible. If it's riveted shut then the flutes can't open it up... also if the flutes go in hot they won't open it up either.

You need and offset stake, think dog-leg but with a chisel top rather then a ball.

Sean

[Mac]

Corey,

I would shape first and flute later. This requires some funny-looking fluting stakes, but it is the only way to make the plate have a subtle and graceful shape. This is not the only way to do it, but I am pretty sure that it's the historical way.

Mac

[coreythompsonhm]

Alright, I will fabricate some offset stakes on Saturday when I can get material. I started the vambraces instead today so I could at least make some progress.

Thank you!