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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 7:05:43 GMT
I'm looking for a heater. Not sure about anything past that, but as a college student, I don't have much money at my disposal. I was curious as to the best place to buy a decent shield for cheap.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 13:06:06 GMT
Depending on what you want to use it for the cheapest way is ether cut up a pickle barrel or buy some plywood and glue. The tools you need are minimal and should be easy to borrow.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2009 18:08:12 GMT
The cheapest is always to make it yourself. Where to go for the materials depends on what size, shape and material.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Aug 6, 2009 18:39:55 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2009 1:55:52 GMT
Thanks for the replies!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2009 17:19:53 GMT
kajim, if you don't have the wherewithal to make your own shields, there are a couple of places to check out: www.vikingshield.comAhhh, I can't find it...but there's another spot to check. Bill Tsafa posted it in the Shields part of the forum and I don't have time to look it up right now.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2009 2:14:50 GMT
Cutting up a pickle or carwash barrel with a jigsaw and putting a garage door handle on it is definitely the cheapest way to go. I still have mine.
The next cheapest option would be plywood.
If you can afford $70 plus shipping you can get a high grade aluminum shield cut from By My Hand Design 317-931-0561
Check out this page for some ideas:
/index.cgi?board=armour&action=display&thread=6530&page=2
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2009 18:54:52 GMT
That's the shield you have in your avatar, from By My Hand right?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2009 21:15:17 GMT
I wish those guys had a website.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2009 13:33:48 GMT
That's the shield you have in your avatar, from By My Hand right? Yes, the one in the avatar is from By My Hand Design . It is a good quality shield. I have had it for two years now and it has taken a lot of hard hits with no damage. They sell it with a deep curve and that flattens out at bit, but suits me fine. I have seen cheaper shields collapse at the corners and edges. The anticipated life of my shield is 5 to 7 years. I will probably get 5 because it use it so much and charge so hard with it. Charges take a big toll on shields.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2009 14:25:15 GMT
I'd imagine so. I've got a composite/particle board shield that I'm sure won't stand up to much abuse...its mostly for show nowadays.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2009 17:59:07 GMT
Particle board sucks. Weighs too much for too little strength.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2009 19:17:01 GMT
Tell me about it; I figured that out within seconds of handling it. Looks nice tho...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 4:44:32 GMT
how well do wooden sheilds hold up to abuse (compared to a steel one)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 5:58:50 GMT
Depends how they're made and what they're made of. Tend to be pretty heavy, though. Course, steel ones are, too. That's why so many people use aluminum (even then you're looking at up to 12 Lbs) or plastic.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 5:59:21 GMT
how well do wooden sheilds hold up to abuse (compared to a steel one) I had a plywood shield. The edge (with its rubber edging) started chipping after just one SCA practice, but I was able to keep using it for about 10 weeks. I had less and less shield every week. I really sucked at the time too, so people were hitting me more then the shield. It is possible to do things to greatly prolong the life of a wooden shield. 1-I steel rim will go a long way. 2-covering the surface with leather. 3-Two thin pieces of plywood with thick glue in between. All these are historical methods to prolong shield life. You might get a year of SCA use with these methods. They also add weight. The more durable a wood shield is made, the heavier it tends to be. My plywood heater weighed about 12 lbs without any metal rimming. With rimming, leather surfacing and glue, you could pass 15 lbs. Spartan's have very durable large shield called "Hopplons" that had wood, leather and even a thin layer of bronze over the face. They weighed about 17 lbs. They were curved enough so that they could hang them off their shoulder. A Roman Scutum weighed about 22 lbs and was very durable. The Scutums were about 4 feet tall and the Romans were about 5'4". The Romans would sometimes rested them on the ground and squat behind them and fought. They also rotated their lines ever 8 minuets to rest that shield arm. For a 5'10 inch man that scutum would have to be about a little more then four and half feet tall and weigh about 28 lbs. My heater is made out of 5052 H38 aluminum (not steel). If it was steel it would be very heavy. My shield weights about 9.5 lbs. It is expected to last 5 to 7 years. Bucklers are often made of steel. The steel gives them some mass so that they are stable. A steel buckler can weigh about 5 lbs. This tends to feel extremely heavy because a buckler is often used with the arm more extended and with a lot of punch blocking. These things can more then 10 years. A free source of cheap aluminum is highway signs that have been discarded. The aluminum in street signs tend to be of a lesser quality then that used in my shield. I have seen edges collapse over time and cracks where the straps are bolted... but hay... free is not a bad deal. You should get at lest two years of use out of street sign grade aluminum. You will need what are called "Beverly Shears" to cut the aluminum. Then use a grinder to smooth out the edges. The sheers cost about $600 so you will want to pay a metal shop a few dollars to use theirs if you can. Take a look at my posts in the following thread too, if you have not already. /index.cgi?board=armour&action=display&thread=6530&page=1
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 12:31:59 GMT
There are much much cheaper ways to cut out an aluminum shield blank than a beverly shear. They are all more work of course. Jigsaw is probably the most reasonable and readily available. Use lots of cutting oil and wear your eye protection.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 13:28:21 GMT
I have cut plastic and wood shields with the jigsaw. Very handy little tool. Like you said, against a street sign... its a lot of work... and a lot of blades you will wear down.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2009 0:14:41 GMT
Welcome to the forum, jimc. I want to construct a norse round shield. What materials will I need?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2009 0:48:30 GMT
Wood, Leather, a center-boss and grip and some serious endurance in your shield arm. Center-grip shields are a REAL pain!
Anyway, my shield is 7075 T6 Aluminum. Costs more and weighs less (same strength out of thinner metal).
THAT's why your shield weighs as much as mine, despite being smaller, tsafa. The metal...
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