Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > My new shieldpress and my first shieldDIY Project Reply to topic
This is a standard topic Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next 
Author Message
Sander Marechal




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
Reading list: 17 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 671

PostPosted: Sun 20 Jun, 2010 12:45 pm    Post subject: My new shieldpress and my first shield         Reply with quote

Yesterday me and a friend built a shield press based on the design by Ye Olde Gaffer. It took us about five hours to build, including shopping for materials. The total cost, including straps and material for two shields was about US$ 100. Immediately after we loaded it up with the first shield blank. It's quite a scary thing when loaded. Not just because it looks like a coffin, but there is a lot of tension on the straps.

I left it to dry for 24 hours and today I took it out and cut out the shield. As you can see in the third photo the shield did spring back a bit, but overall I am still happy with the results. But if you have any tips on how to make a blank that doesn't spring back so much then I would love to hear it!

The shield itself is made from two layers of birch plywood, 4 millimeter thick. The glue I used is Bison wood glue, unthinned and applied liberally with a brush. The blanks are 61x122 centimeter (the standard plywood size here in The Netherlands). The shield itself came out at 57x100 centimeter (I'll post the exact design in my other thread).



 Attachment: 165.76 KB
shield1-small.jpeg
The shield press. I put some oven paper in the slot to prevent gluing the shield blank to the press.

 Attachment: 138.92 KB
shield2-small.jpeg
The press loaded, waiting to dry.

 Attachment: 136.64 KB
shield3-small.jpeg
The shield after drying 24 hours. Notice how it springs back a bit.

 Attachment: 133.33 KB
shield4-small.jpeg
The shield after cutting it out.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Luke Zechman




Location: Lock Haven Pennsylvania
Joined: 18 Jan 2009

Posts: 278

PostPosted: Sun 20 Jun, 2010 1:45 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sander,
Nice shield press/ former! I think making a shield would be a fun project, and the end result would be nice to addition to a homes decor. I think the best part would be painting the front with a cool design. I do not know much about shields. Do you intend to cover this with many layers of fabric? What do you intend to paint onto the shield?

As I looked through the pictures I noticed the small modular work bench made by Black and Decker if I recall correctly. I have contemplated getting that work bench due to my limited space, and was wondering if you liked it as a tool.
View user's profile Send private message
Sander Marechal




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
Reading list: 17 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 671

PostPosted: Sun 20 Jun, 2010 2:14 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Luke Zechman wrote:
Do you intend to cover this with many layers of fabric? What do you intend to paint onto the shield?


Yes, I'm going to cover it front and back with several layers of canvas. I don't think I will be painting this one. I'm probably going to put some make-shift strapping on it and bring it to my WMA practice. There I can do some (destructive?) testing to make sure that 8mm is strong enough for my purpose.

After that I will make more shields. I'm going to paint them as Hospitaller shields (red and white) for my reenactment group and one with my family heraldy on it.

Quote:
As I looked through the pictures I noticed the small modular work bench made by Black and Decker if I recall correctly. I have contemplated getting that work bench due to my limited space, and was wondering if you liked it as a tool.


Yes, absolutely. I use it often to clamp stuff I am working on. The entire top is split down the middle and can close and clamp like a really big vice. I use that feature a lot, even though I have a real workbench as well in my shed. It's not a complete replacement for a sturdy workbench but it works well enough.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jared Smith




Location: Tennessee
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Likes: 1 page

Spotlight topics: 3
Posts: 1,532

PostPosted: Sun 20 Jun, 2010 5:04 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sander Marechal wrote:


Yes, I'm going to cover it front and back with several layers of canvas. I don't think I will be painting this one. I'm probably going to put some make-shift strapping on it and bring it to my WMA practice. There I can do some (destructive?) testing to make sure that 8mm is strong enough for my purpose.


If you do not have a "hot pot" for hide glue, you might want to check and see if you can get some fiberglass cloth (0.5 oz per square yard weight or similar) and 30 or 45 minute setup time epoxy more cheaply for the lamination. This has tremendous strength to weight benefits. (increases of 4:1 compared to un-laminated.) It is not unreasonably to compare to traditional hide glue canvas laminates, just more readily obtainable from current day hardware stores.

Absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence!
View user's profile Send private message
T. Hamilton




Location: United States
Joined: 30 Dec 2009

Posts: 85

PostPosted: Sun 20 Jun, 2010 9:37 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nice job, Sander! I recently made one using Gaffer's shield press, and you're right, all that tension is a bit unnerving as you're ratcheting down those straps! I used Titebond II glue and left mine in the press a few days. I ended up with a little less spring back that way, so you might give that a shot. I faced mine with heavy duck canvas, then spread a second layer of glue over that. Paint and three layers of polyurethane hardened it up even more. Are you going to edge it before you take it to practice?
"What we do in life echoes in eternity."
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Sander Marechal




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
Reading list: 17 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 671

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 12:26 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Jared Smith wrote:
You might want to check and see if you can get some fiberglass cloth (0.5 oz per square yard weight or similar) and 30 or 45 minute setup time epoxy more cheaply for the lamination.


Thanks. I'll see if I can find some around here. I really like the weight of the 8mm shield so I hope I can get them strong enough. It's quite a bit lighter than some of the viking shields that people in our WMA group made. Some are so heavy that they tire out your arm after just 5 minutes of intense fighting.

T. Hamilton wrote:
Are you going to edge it before you take it to practice?


I haven't decided yet. We use steel wasters so I'm sure a rawhide edge will make it more durable. But on the other hand I do like the look of an unedged shield, and from what I read that became popular in the 13th century. Perhaps I should just make two shields, one edged and one unedged, and see how they hold up under abuse.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 1:10 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Man, I've gotta make me one of these shield press', maybe with a slightly steeper curve.
With regards to edging and looks, what I did with one of mine (it was 5 or 6mm thick) was do all the enarmes and strapping and padding, then I put some cheap bright green el-crappy leather around the edge (have yet to try with either decent veg tanned leather or hardened rawhide) that cost me about a $1, then I simply put two layers of linen over the thing (didn't have canvas, though that would be better) and did the whole 'add more glue' thing then primer coat, then design. I must try that hardening agent everyone keeps mentioning, but I hate the 'gloss' finish I've seen similar things give.
I think that the fact that these are going to be used and probably destroyed in anything from training to fighting, to use sweet historically accurate things to make it with would be a tad annoying. Spend weeks making something, then it get trashed, no thanks Laughing Out Loud

Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
View user's profile Send private message
Sander Marechal




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
Reading list: 17 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 671

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 1:46 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hmm, so in your shield, the edging goes under the canvas facing? Do you have any pictures? I'd like to see how that looks.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 3:22 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I can go one better; how about a video Big Grin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDq9ios69OA
Not the best out there, but hopefully it gives you an idea...
Edit: No wait! Not that one, this one is the one you might want: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8ejfh1c8o&feature=related
Yeah, I tend to digress alot. Arrow

Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
View user's profile Send private message
Bjorn Hagstrom




Location: Höör, Skane
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 8 books

Posts: 355

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 4:29 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sander Marechal wrote:
Hmm, so in your shield, the edging goes under the canvas facing? Do you have any pictures? I'd like to see how that looks.


I have a couple of shields in progress, one with rawhide edge, and one with edge of layered linen, all onder the topmost linen layer (I use two layers to the face and one to the back) I have added some images. I now have to hide-glue/gesso the front and find some period red pigment to paint it with, since I lean towards the red/white design for the hospitaller shield. I do plan on making my own linseedoil based paint for this.

btw Sander, it seems we are reenacting the very same thing =)

I'll soon post some images of my efforts so far...had some pictures taken this weekend when trying on my gear on horseback for the first time!



 Attachment: 20.79 KB
1rawhide edge.jpg


 Attachment: 21.14 KB
2back linen layer streched over rawhide.jpg


 Attachment: 19.51 KB
3linen facing.jpg


There is nothing quite as sad as a one man conga-line...
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
Sander Marechal




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
Reading list: 17 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 671

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 5:21 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

That looks quite good. Thanks for the video and the images.

Quote:
btw Sander, it seems we are reenacting the very same thing =)


It appears so, yes Happy Please let me know about your red pigments when you find them. I probably won't be mixing my own paint like you are going to do, but I am very interested in which colours were available back then.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Sam Gordon Campbell




Location: Australia.
Joined: 16 Nov 2008

Posts: 678

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 6:00 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Bjorn Hagstrom wrote:


I have a couple of shields in progress, one with rawhide edge, and one with edge of layered linen, all onder the topmost linen layer (I use two layers to the face and one to the back)


How does the layered linen hold up?
It never occured to me to use the offcuts and such to reinforce the edge, Eek! that'd be so much cheaper and easier.

Member of Australia's Stoccata School of Defence since 2008.
Host of Crash Course HEMA.
Founder of The Van Dieman's Land Stage Gladiators.
View user's profile Send private message
Bjorn Hagstrom




Location: Höör, Skane
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Likes: 1 page
Reading list: 8 books

Posts: 355

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 6:34 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sam Gordon Campbell wrote:

How does the layered linen hold up?
It never occured to me to use the offcuts and such to reinforce the edge, Eek! that'd be so much cheaper and easier.


A bit early to tell, really. I have just made one shield with i think six layers of linen to the edge, but have not used it yet, but when I do, I will let you all know.

There is nothing quite as sad as a one man conga-line...
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
Ed McV




Location: Ontario,Canada
Joined: 06 Mar 2006

Posts: 27

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 11:37 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

To avoid excessive springback you might try and steam the shield blank first. It takes extra work but it may solve your problem.
View user's profile Send private message
Ron Reuter




Location: Southern Indiana
Joined: 04 Oct 2007

Posts: 56

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 11:40 am    Post subject: Re: My new shieldpress and my first shield         Reply with quote

Sander Marechal wrote:

I left it to dry for 24 hours and today I took it out and cut out the shield. As you can see in the third photo the shield did spring back a bit, but overall I am still happy with the results. But if you have any tips on how to make a blank that doesn't spring back so much then I would love to hear it!


Sander, nice job! Looks much more profesional then the one on my web page, but I had to adjust mine a few times to get what I wanted.

I have found that the Birch plywood springs back much more then using fir or pine plywood (the type shown in Bjorn's picture above). I do like the birch because it is lighter than the pine plywood, but it is much harder to strap down, more apt to split a bit, and, of course spring back.

Ron
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Felix R.




Location: Germany
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Reading list: 25 books

Spotlight topics: 2
Posts: 555

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 12:04 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I made my shield without a shield press. Without a press you can get as deep a curvature as you like.
View user's profile Send private message
Paul Hansen




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 17 Mar 2005
Likes: 5 pages

Posts: 845

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 1:00 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nice press Sander! I made my kite shield by tying it around two poles, but it turned out a bit crooked. Not too bad for training, but not really nice either.

Bjorn Hagstrom wrote:
I now have to hide-glue/gesso the front and find some period red pigment to paint it with, since I lean towards the red/white design for the hospitaller shield. I do plan on making my own linseedoil based paint for this.


Here's a supplier of a lot of old-fashioned painting materials (pigments, oils, glues etc.):
http://www.verfmolendekat.com/en/home.html

Not everything they sell belongs to the middle ages, but some of it does.

They do have a lot of variety in colours and materials.

They have quite a few distributors in the Netherlands, so if you are able it might be worthwhile to check it out. See the Dutch-language page for details. They also have an English language webshop.
View user's profile Send private message
Sander Marechal




Location: The Netherlands
Joined: 04 Dec 2009
Reading list: 17 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 671

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 1:43 pm    Post subject: Re: My new shieldpress and my first shield         Reply with quote

Thanks for the compliments and tips!

Ron Reuter wrote:
I have found that the Birch plywood springs back much more then using fir or pine plywood.


Any idea if a shield made out of fir or pine is as strong as one made from birch? When I was in the hardware store I mainly chose the birch plywood because it had nice, even layers. The fir plywood and a very thick and light coloured inner layer and two very thin outer layers. Almost as if it was veneer instead of plywood.

Paul Hansen wrote:
Here's a supplier of a lot of old-fashioned painting materials (pigments, oils, glues etc.):
http://www.verfmolendekat.com/en/home.html


Great resource, thanks!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Randall Moffett




Location: Northern Utah
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Reading list: 5 books

Posts: 2,121

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 2:27 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I really wish I had a shield press. I have attempted to make one but the press cracked and was basically worthless. I have not tried to make one since but I really would like to as I am trying to get some shields together for some friends.

Felix,

How did you make your shield. If you do not want to take this post over shoot me a PM. I tried using a log and it worked just barely. Still thinking over ways to do this.

RPM
View user's profile Send private message
T. Hamilton




Location: United States
Joined: 30 Dec 2009

Posts: 85

PostPosted: Mon 21 Jun, 2010 3:01 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Randall Moffett wrote:
I really wish I had a shield press. I have attempted to make one but the press cracked and was basically worthless. I have not tried to make one since...


I can't say enough good things about Gaffer's press. Don't worry about it breaking. This thing is SOLID.

"What we do in life echoes in eternity."
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > My new shieldpress and my first shieldDIY Project
Page 1 of 5 Reply to topic
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum