Armor Crafting with Sheet Metal

[TeaWrex]

Greetings

I've been haunting this amazing site for some time now, and I'm honestly not sure if this is the correct place to post my questions so apologies in advance but this is my first post here.

I am an avid larper and I want to craft some pauldrons out of sheet metal. I know maybe these might be the kind of posts aren't appropriate for the professional quality of work you folks do so I hope you guys can help.

Basically Im looking to go to home depot and get all the supplies I need.

I have a basic idea of how to cut the sheet metal with tin snips, I wanted some pointers on how to attach the sheets of metal together i.e. better to use glue or screws and do I need a power tool? Also would it be best to affix the metal armor to material when it rests on my shoulders, etc

Also does anyone have any useful tips for crafting pvc chainmail?

thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Hamsterstyle]

Also does anyone have any useful tips for crafting pvc chainmail?

If you have someone else precut your links it will save you hours of work.

You don't need to cut every link, only half of them.

You don't need to glue every cut link back together, only the support pieces. But it wouldn't hurt to glue them all.

It's a slow process, but it works.

 

[hobbitbreath]

double post.

 

[hobbitbreath]

Attaching sheet to sheet I'd use rivets, the real kind if you can or pop rivets as a replacement if you can't.

What is the shoulder material you want to attach to?

oh and aluminum chainmail rings go for about 15-25 bucks a pound.http://cgi.ebay.com/One-pound-alumi...644?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaaee28d4

also a link you should find very helpful.

http://www.armourarchive.org/

 

[WarpedScale]

Easy and cheap chainmail? My friend does it like this but uses a set up with an electric drill:

http://www.noiregarde.org/chainmaille.pdf
and
Chainmailbasket.com - Tutorials - How To Make Chainmail

 

[SmilingOtter]

also a link you should find very helpful.

The Armour Archive

Yes x3. Folks there are making some incredible armor, and tend to be gentle with new folks.

Also, check The Arador Armour Library, particularly this page - it teaches the basics of armor construction using spaulders as an example.

 

[cblackthorne]

Try the Armour Archive for some tutorials, patterns, and general assistance.

The Armour Archive