[MR] Shield Press/Heater Construction

Mon Nov 15 22:11:08 PST 2010

 Concerning the plywood itself:  You should use two sheets of 1/4" or perhaps 3/8" plywood.  It's better to glue and bend it as a rectangle and then cut it to the shield shape after it's bent, because the two sheets will actually be slightly different in size when it's bent.

When cutting the plywood to the basic rectangle shape, take note of the direction of the grain.  1/4" and 3/6" plywood are made of only 3 layers, two of which have the grain going in one direction and the third at right angles to the other two.  Cut it so that the grain of the outer two layers is vertical.  If you do not, you'll have an awful time getting the stiff to bend, and it probably won't bend evenly.

Slather, I say, SLATHER, the plywood with a good-quality carpenter's glue like Elmer's.  The aim is to have essentially a complete layer of glue between the two sheets.  Bend it around a tree or power pole as described using ratchet straps.    Bend it more than you want the curve of the finished shield to be, because it will spring back somewhat when  you release the tension.  I also recommend using four or more to distribute the force evenly.The glue will drip out between the layers.  That's OK.. Leave it in place for at least 24 hours.  The end result will be essentially a curved sheet of 1/2" plywood.  The glue tends to hold it to the curvature.  If you managed to bend a 1/2" sheet, it would want to snap back to flat over time.

Cut it to the shape you desire.

Splintering around the edges is the biggest destroyer of plywood shields.  It would be advantageous to rim it with metal or leather to absorb some of the impact.  Automotive style edging is better than heater hose.  It's more durable (it has a metal core) and is more compact.  It also looks better.

To strap it I recommend Sir Corby's method. I believe it's on a web site, but there are many who can explain it to you.

As far as decorating the shield, you can paint it half-and-half blue and white (Atlantian livery) or if you're ambitious you can emblazon it with the Atlantian ensign (the field of the Royal Arms with no charges) or paint it white and put a blue Spike on it, or vice versa.  If your local branch has a badge, you could use that.

Of course, you can start the process to acquire your own heraldry - which I heartily recommend.

Your servant aye
Donal Mac Ruiseart.

-----Original Message-----
From: Girard le Bourguignon <girard at erminespot.com>
To: Achbar Ibn Ali <achbar at earthlink.net>
Cc: Atlantia <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
Sent: Mon, Nov 15, 2010 8:27 pm
Subject: Re: [MR] Shield Press/Heater Construction

My suggestion is to:

Use more ratchet straps - like 4. More if you have them. The more you

distribute the force, the better.

Soak the wood down with a hose. I like to get it just hanging on the

tree, hose it down, then really start cranking the straps to curve it.

Put some foam between the shield blank and the tree.  It's unlikely

you will have a perfect tree, as it would be very large around. Put

some foam in there to even the curve out and keep it from making a

pressure spot right in the middle.

Curve it more than you really want. You lose about half the curve when

it comes off the tree.

But, good on ya for making a wooden shield. I hope I get a Vance to

fight it sometime.

-Baron Girard of Windmasters' Hill

On Monday, November 15, 2010, Achbar Ibn Ali <achbar at earthlink.net> wrote:

> On Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:24:17 -0800 (PST), you wrote:

>

>>Hello, Friends.

>>Anyone have any experience in the construction of a curved Heater?  I was

>>looking at the plywood in my garage, and I have nothing that seems strong 

enough

>>to withstand the beatings of Rauland or some newbie hunting duke.

>

> Blackbow taught me this trick.  Take some nylon ratchet straps, you

> can find these at auto supply stores.   You will need about two. Make

> a Glue sandwich with your plywood and glue.  Find a Tree, a good round

> tree.  Ratchet the top and bottom of your boards and let this set up

> for about twenty four hours.  They you will have a shield.  If you are

> watching this thread Jonathan, please help  the gentleman out.

>

>

>

> Achbar

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