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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2009 5:17:26 GMT
I was informed just a few hours ago that my leather order is in. When I pick it up, I'll take and post pics of it so ya'll can see the raw materials I am working with. Then I will take and post pics of my workstation.
I'll be documenting this whole thing step by step for your enjoyment and hope to be done in time for the 2nd week of Pennsic (29 July).
Anyway, I was just going over the steps of putting this together and noticed a problem... I don't know how to harden the leather scales. I certainly don't know how to do it in a way that will allow me to put ridges in them and get them to set. And I definitely don't know what kind of wax to get for this process (I understand wax hardening is better than water hardening), where to get it or how to use it.
Can anyone help?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2009 6:59:14 GMT
Assuming it's veg tanned leather, your best bet is to get some bees wax. I'm not sure how well you can tool wax hardened leather, however.
I used modern candle wax for some scales a while back and it turned out well (you can get 10 or 20 pound blocks here and there). Keep in mind that the wax softens in sunlight rather easily.
M.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2009 3:50:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2009 18:46:45 GMT
There is no such thing as "too much leather". By the time you make a belt, some pouches, a collar and leash for the cute little dog, and some scale dog armor you'll have to go buy more.
Your armor looks good so far. What shape scales do you plan on and have you decided how to harden them?
Heavy duty velcro works surprisingly well to hold overlapping pieces together without showing like a buckle and strap. Might be an idea if the wings don't stay where you want them to while fighting. Or you can just punch a few more holes and lace them in place. The classic SCA method is, of course, duct tape.
Really, looking good so far and I hope you get done in time for Pennsic.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2009 19:36:50 GMT
I was going to go with some leather laces to tie together if the sash doesn't do the job on its own.
No belt. I have one. A pouch, too. Though I might be tempted to rivet a couple pockets into my armour now that I think about it. Something that snaps shut to hold my keys and ID...
I have collars and leashes for my dogs but you hit it dead on with the idea of armour for them. I'd already decided to do that...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2009 20:14:34 GMT
Put the key pocket somewhere it WILL NOT get hit. Broken keys imprinted on your hide are not fun. Ask me how I know...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2009 0:56:13 GMT
I seem to be having trouble with my leather punch. It is quite apparently not sharp at all, let alone sharp enough to cut through 1/4 inch saddle skirting (iow: semi-hardened) leather.
weee...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2009 21:03:51 GMT
So, I got my leather punch sharpened. I then took it home and tried to hammer out a couple scales. No Joy. Even sharpened, it just wasn't cutting through 1/4 inch saddle skirting. And so began the search for a press to stamp the scales out. Unfortunately, the biggest press I could find that anyone had in stock was a whopping 1 ton arbor press (for those who don't know, an arbor press is a manually operated press that functions on the principle of gear ratios). This press actually caused the punch to cut through even Less of the leather than I could manage with a hammer. Who knew? I can impart about 1 1/2 tons of force with a 12 oz hammer. Sweet! Too bad it turned out I needed 6 tons. That's a little out of my league. So, this afternoon, I convinced my metwalworker (he's the guy who's done almost all my metalwork to date) to let me rent time on his press. After convincing him, I found out his only press was an ironworker (an electrically controlled hydraulic press with different pressure settings). 3 hours later, I have approximately 150 pieces complete. here are a couple pics: I will post more images later after I have riveted some of these to my leather backing...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2009 11:50:42 GMT
Interesting scales. How do they fit together?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2009 0:59:25 GMT
Why, like this, greypilgrim... My God, but assembly is a beast! This is going to be a real trip. I am so impossibly glad that I decided against forming and hardening these this time around...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2009 2:09:22 GMT
Taran, that looks like way too much fun. I can see it now, your fine lady wife driving you to Pennsic while you are in the backseat pounding in the last hundred or so rivets. JUST KIDDING, but get back to work and don't waste your time answering me 'till it's done.
Bet it gives great protection tho.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2009 12:58:44 GMT
I WISH she could drive me to Pennsic... She's off in Cali doing last minute training before a deployment.
Of course, the fact that she can't go to Pennsic means I didn't have to spend any money on her garb, which in turn means I had money for this... ...Bad as some things are, there really is an upside to everything (even if it is an upside you'd happily live without)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2009 0:18:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2009 1:03:11 GMT
WOW. Three rivets in each scale or just the bottom row?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2009 1:48:42 GMT
Just the bottom row. Had to hold the bottoms down. If I did that with every scale I could make a pretty good shield, but it'd be too rigid to be worn.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2009 5:35:47 GMT
still looks good though!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2009 19:16:18 GMT
Progress?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2009 23:43:40 GMT
Not much right now. Got about half the front of my left leg done... It's coming. Just slowly, and since I won't be fighting at Pennsic, the sense of urgency is no longer there. Have patience...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2009 12:21:27 GMT
Sorry to hear that. I know you were looking forward to fighting in the war.
Courage, K
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 6:33:26 GMT
I just saw an alternative method of assembly that involves blatant cheating. But it fits together far better. In leather, anyway... I need to get a new die made and try it out...
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