caping fiberlass?

[Cullen of Kells]

I know that when you use PVC you are supposed to be a penny to cap the end. Also when making a pommel with 1/2 " fiberglass you are supposed to penny cap that. What about the tip of the sword. Does it need to be tipped with a penny if you are using 1/2" fiberglass?

[Nish]

The reason you cap PVC or any hollow core is so that the cylinder edges won't punch through the foam. With a solid fiberglass rod this isn't an issue, so you don't need a penny cap. However, you should always biscuit the end of the rod where the tip of the sword will be. This is described in step two on this page of the wiki.

[Arrakis]

/agree.

[Taxfrog]

Question. When making the biscuit, does it really matter which foam you use? As in blue camp vs. heavier puzzle mat? I have been using blue with a box of puzzle mat(what is that? 4lb? Or 2 lb? I don't know these things yet).

[Arrakis]

4# is best, 2# (blue) is fine.