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Post by Ramsay318 on Nov 10, 2012 21:46:54 GMT
Hello all, I just recently quit my soul-sucking job in a tiny gray cube in order to go back to grad school for my Masters of Library Science Degree. But, that isn't a full-time gig, and I think a second source of income might be handy. To that end, I've been looking into starting a hobby shop making shields. Now, I know that a shield is generally pretty easy to make. Slap a handle on a round piece of plywood, add some paint, call it good. But, I'm talking about offering a variety of shapes and sizes, with rawhide edging, cloth faces, and metal bosses. Something you'd be proud to carry into a bout or hang on your wall. For example, Kult of Athena offers a Windlass heater for $130 ( www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... ter+Shield). A comparable sized shield from me would be $85 and gets you thicker, construction-grade plywood, four layers of heavy cloth on the face, wider and stronger leather straps, padding for the arm, and the aforementioned rawhide edgind and 14 gauge steel boss. My question for all of you is this: Would you buy such a shield? I'm not trying to get rich. I just need a new source of income and something to do with my time that might actually be enjoyable. I know there are blank shield makers that leave a lot for custom work, and there are completed shield makers who cost an arm and a leg. I'm trying for something in between. If I get enough folks here and other places interested, I'll set up a kickstarter to raise funds for equipment and supplies (mostly stuff for riveting and dishing the bosses). So, anyone interested?
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jhart06
Member
Slowly coming back from the depths...
Posts: 3,292
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Post by jhart06 on Nov 11, 2012 5:41:35 GMT
While thicker is not always better, your cost is coming in pretty good really. Especially if you can do the viking style boss/grip in the center.. Viking re-encators are always breaking shields.. At least the ones I know XD
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Post by Ramsay318 on Nov 12, 2012 1:21:53 GMT
It's only 19/32" thick, so not much more. But it makes it possible for me to use cut carpet tacks to secure the rawhide edging, which has a look I do like. And while I don't know how to make a conical shield boss, I do have designs for round, center-grip shields in 30 and 36 inch. Here's a list of the shields I'm hoping to offer:
*Indicates that curving is available.
Round standard grip -- 18, 24, 30, 36 inch *Heater -- 21 x 27, 24 x 30 inch *Long heater -- 21 x 42, 24 x 48 inch *Norman Kite -- 21 x 42, 24 x 48 inch Round Buckler -- 12 and 15 inch *Square Buckler -- 12 and 15 inch Round center grip -- 30 and 36 inch *Roman style oval -- 30 x 48 inch Roman style hexagon -- 27 x 48 inch Roman scutum -- 34 x 42 inch, 1/4" thick, curved to a 26" chord Pavisse -- 34 x 63 inch, 1/4" thick, curved to a 26" chord, mounted to a 72" staff. No boss.
Of these, the price ranges from $25 for a 12" round buckler to $190 for the pavisse. Leave off the boss and it'll knock $10 off that price.
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Post by demonskull on Nov 12, 2012 2:22:20 GMT
I think you'll find a market. I think you need to look into boxes and shipping costs. The small bucklers won't be a problem but some of the larger shields will be hard to box up and expensive to ship. If this proves to be profitable, I'd also suggest you try some of the HEMA and possibly the SCA sites. If the SCA you might look up the most stingent SCA standards and build a shield to meet their requirements also.
You won't get rich but you might be able to pay some bills and enjoy what you're doing.
Good Luck !
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Post by Elheru Aran on Nov 13, 2012 20:33:31 GMT
Dude, you totally ripped off my idea No, seriously though, I never talked about this, so you're fine... more power to you, and I can gauge whether there's a market by watching your progress... I'm cold blooded like that! Notes: Do your research on the SCA, that's a potentially quite lucrative market out there. Also look into marketing to the LARP crowd; that's not so big here, but it's pretty good in Europe (although shipping over there is going to be so painful that it's probably not worth it). Downside of SCA is you have to follow rules, and you may potentially have to make your curved shields extra-thick. Consider putting a line of countersunk rivets down each side to help keep the layers from springing apart. 4 layers of cloth, is that quite necessary? Was thinking 2, one on each side... up to you though. Could make rawhide edging an option; if people want it, they can add it. Keep your default easy and quick to produce! Good luck with this, and I'll be watching your progress...
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Post by K. Vander Linde on Nov 13, 2012 20:57:33 GMT
Sounds like this would be a great idea for you. I make sheilds every once an a while and they sell pritty fast. Best of luck
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Post by Bulvoy on Nov 13, 2012 21:31:25 GMT
Not trying to derail your thread but as mentioned the SCA is bigger than most think, and can be a lucrative market if you can get your product out there, But do your research and find a common platform to work from, SCA has standard rules, But also each kingdom, has some extra regulations-specs that need to be followed. 4 layers of cloth isn't needed, use two, or use a roofing laquer then strech canvas over it. I've made 9 total for other people in the past and 3 for myself. this last one i made for myself in reguards with my individual SCA kingdom regs its in this armor section SCA Hema Hybrid, or check out my on going projects page.
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Post by Ramsay318 on Nov 14, 2012 2:10:20 GMT
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the input and the support. I'm actually going to my local UPS store tomorrow to ask about how to ship these shields and how much it would cost. If I can keep those costs fairly low, I'll set up a little kickstarter for funding. Of course, cutting the amount and cost of the cloth in half will only help. With luck, you'll see some new shields popping up in the classifieds thread around the end of the year.
One final question: Cloth for the backing. What do you all prefer? Felt, more canvas, or something else?
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Post by K. Vander Linde on Nov 14, 2012 2:34:05 GMT
For the backing... depends on what the shield is for. My prefrences are, (fighting) linen canvas or felt, (display) felt or suede, etc.
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Taran
Member
Posts: 2,621
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Post by Taran on Nov 15, 2012 7:52:34 GMT
Another good idea for getting started: Get in touch with your local SCA group and find out about a mid-sze event in your area and setting up as a merchant. Then take a bunch of shields with you and see how the local SCAdians like what you have for your price.
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Nov 15, 2012 17:11:33 GMT
First of all, congrats for quitting your soul-sucking job. I think as long as your shields are designed and constructed in a historically viable fashion and reasonably priced, there will be a demand for them. It might be a good idea to offer a customization service or a bare bones version that would be easy to paint/tweak by the buyer. People might get excited about functional shields with unique designs, a family crest... that sort of thing.
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Post by Ramsay318 on Nov 22, 2012 8:04:30 GMT
A quick thing that has just occurred to me: I have no experience cold-working rivets. I have found a lot of sites that advocate using cut-down roofing nails, but I doubt that will actually be as strong as I need them to be. And while there are a good number of jewelry-grade solid rivet that can be worked by hand, all the ones that would be the right size for shields mention using a riveting gun or some other jack-hammer looking device. I guess my question is: can I, with just a hammer and anvil, get a solid steel rivet to work?
Also, if anyone has come across a video of someone doing just that, I'd very much like to see it. Thanks again for all the help and support.
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Post by demonskull on Nov 22, 2012 15:31:37 GMT
Short answer - yes, drill a pilot hole tap thru a precut nail and use a matching diameter washer. It will hold solid.
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Post by Ramsay318 on Nov 22, 2012 21:00:32 GMT
So a cut down roofing nail will actually work? Wow. That makes things cheaper and easier.
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Post by GUEST on Nov 24, 2012 11:37:31 GMT
It's easy to cold peen mild steel with a hammer. Do it all the time when I pin a axe head to a handle.
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Post by Ramsay318 on Jan 28, 2013 0:48:24 GMT
Thanks again everyone for the advice and encouragement. I've gotten a lot of the tools and materials tracked down and will get this started once my semester is in full swing. One thing has just come up, though. I was looking at the medium dishing form from Ironmonger Armory ( ironmongerarmory.com/tools/dishing-forms-tools). It's 1.75" deep and 6.5" across. I sent an inquiry to them and their response indicated that this would not really be deep enough. From their e-mail: "If your intending on making a shield boss by dishing your limited to a depth of about 2 1/2". The classic roman shield bosses are about 5 " deep." First, 2.5" seems like a fairly significant depth, especially since the Large GDFB boss on offer from KOA is that deep (the smallest is only 1.5"). Second, a five inch depth for anything other than a conical shield boss sounds extreme. What are ya'll's thoughts on this? Is 1.75" enough, or do I need to look for something deeper?
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Post by demonskull on Jan 28, 2013 23:36:47 GMT
For most shields it should be fine. The reason it isn't good for the 5" depth is the steel will be too thin when dished to that depth.
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Jan 28, 2013 23:40:41 GMT
at that price id be interested
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Post by johnapsega on Jan 29, 2013 9:40:49 GMT
I had this same idea as well. Wow great minds and all that. Already have a couple of blanks made. Good luck my friend.
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