Shields!
Well, since becoming Baron I've gone through 2 shields. Well, that's not really fair, as the one in the user pic had quite a bit of wear on it when I stepped up. None the less, the shield I made to replace it was looking pretty bad, then the corner failed and started sending wood bits into my face any time my opponent hit it. So, time to make a new one.
It also just happens that Livia could use a new shield, as her's isn't curved enough and is a bit heavy for her. Also, Galeran has been wanting a shield for like a year or more now...
When it comes to putting fiber glass on them, it's just about as easy to do a batch as it is to do one. So, this weekend, I set to putting 5 different shields together. I had one blank for me, made of oak. I had Guenievre's old shield, which has this great curve in it but was never covered with fiber glass. I had a blank for Livia, a blank for Galeran, and I made a new blank for Guenievre so I could steal her curvy one.
It's been a bunch of work, but it was quite fun. I got to spend the weekend outside in the great weather while listening to my book, drinking beer, and huffing resin fumes.
Here's the general process - take some 1/4 inch thick plywood of a decent grade, cut it down to be about 3 feet wide, and glue two pieces of it together to make a 1/2 inch thick piece. While the glue is drying, induce a curve (I use ratchet straps to bend it around a tree in my yard). I like to leave the piece on the tree for at least 36 hours, but more if possible, and I soak it down with the hose if it doesn't rain on it. Once it's off the tree, I cut the shield shape into it, then trim down the edges if people want it a bit smaller. Sometimes, the two pieces of wood don't laminate all the way, so I have to glue and clamp it over night to fix that. Next, it's time to put fiberglass on it - I put one woven mat over the front and soak it down with resin. Then, I cut strips of the woven mat, and put them over the edges. After that, I sand it down and put one more mat over the front. In the past I would put another woven mat on the outside, but I thought I would try these new non-woven mats I found. While I think these will give a great surface and a very even finish in the end, they suck up resin really fast. Once all that's cured, sand it down again, and one can think about fabric covers, painting, and strapping.
As of right now, I've got Livia's and the curvy one past all the fiber glass process. Galeran's needs another half a shield worth of resin (I ran out); Guenievre's new one needs a full sheild worth, and my oak one still needs 2 edges done before second front layer. The oak one is lagging behind because I decided to reinforce the leading corner with a bit of sheet metal, and I had to wait for it's glue to dry before moving on.
So, I should have a new shield for this weekend (which is good, considering the old one wouldn't pass inspection). I think only the super curvy one will be ready, but I can't wait to get the oak one done too.
It also just happens that Livia could use a new shield, as her's isn't curved enough and is a bit heavy for her. Also, Galeran has been wanting a shield for like a year or more now...
When it comes to putting fiber glass on them, it's just about as easy to do a batch as it is to do one. So, this weekend, I set to putting 5 different shields together. I had one blank for me, made of oak. I had Guenievre's old shield, which has this great curve in it but was never covered with fiber glass. I had a blank for Livia, a blank for Galeran, and I made a new blank for Guenievre so I could steal her curvy one.
It's been a bunch of work, but it was quite fun. I got to spend the weekend outside in the great weather while listening to my book, drinking beer, and huffing resin fumes.
Here's the general process - take some 1/4 inch thick plywood of a decent grade, cut it down to be about 3 feet wide, and glue two pieces of it together to make a 1/2 inch thick piece. While the glue is drying, induce a curve (I use ratchet straps to bend it around a tree in my yard). I like to leave the piece on the tree for at least 36 hours, but more if possible, and I soak it down with the hose if it doesn't rain on it. Once it's off the tree, I cut the shield shape into it, then trim down the edges if people want it a bit smaller. Sometimes, the two pieces of wood don't laminate all the way, so I have to glue and clamp it over night to fix that. Next, it's time to put fiberglass on it - I put one woven mat over the front and soak it down with resin. Then, I cut strips of the woven mat, and put them over the edges. After that, I sand it down and put one more mat over the front. In the past I would put another woven mat on the outside, but I thought I would try these new non-woven mats I found. While I think these will give a great surface and a very even finish in the end, they suck up resin really fast. Once all that's cured, sand it down again, and one can think about fabric covers, painting, and strapping.
As of right now, I've got Livia's and the curvy one past all the fiber glass process. Galeran's needs another half a shield worth of resin (I ran out); Guenievre's new one needs a full sheild worth, and my oak one still needs 2 edges done before second front layer. The oak one is lagging behind because I decided to reinforce the leading corner with a bit of sheet metal, and I had to wait for it's glue to dry before moving on.
So, I should have a new shield for this weekend (which is good, considering the old one wouldn't pass inspection). I think only the super curvy one will be ready, but I can't wait to get the oak one done too.