curving and edging an aluminum heater

Armourkris · Post by **Armourkris** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:22 pm

i just cut out an aluminum heater blank, now i just need to curve and edge it.

does anyone ahve any methods they recomend before i start experimenting?

for the edging i'd like to use rawhide, but i'm assuming that i'll need something between it and the aluminum to make it sca legal.

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:44 pm

I have often heard it recommended that one use the auto edging that can be had at your local Napa or PepBoys (or some such.)

This is something that can be easily hidden under rawhide, leather or other coverings.

Christophe de Frisselle · Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:52 pm

You don't need anything under the rawhide to make it SCA legal. Though haveing something under the rawhide to keep the aluminum shield edge from cuttting through the rawhide is a good idea.

Sean Powell · Post by **Sean Powell** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:54 pm

The best way to curve an alluminum shield is with a slip roller. If you don't have one the second best way is to set 2 2x4's on the ground with the alluminum bridging the gap and then jump on it a few times. As it starts to take a bend you can move the boards closer together and tighten the bend. Not pretty but it works.

I've always used heater hose or siloflex for edging but it looks distinctly nonperiod. I'm planing on using the auto edging next time and then covering the entire shield and edging with glued canvas.

Good luck,
Sean

Gregoire de Lyon · Post by **Gregoire de Lyon** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:56 am

I recently had my aluminum shield edged by a welder. He mounted aluminum bar stock all the way around the edge of the shield and reinforced the top edge with a wide sheet of Al.

Still cleaning up the welds. Once it is done I'll take a picture.