Belegarth

I'm starting a shield project and was looking to get some advice. This is the sled I bought to use as a core.

I already know I want to drill new wholes and remount the handles on a 45 degree angle. I've looked up foam mats and bed rolls in my area so padding it shouldn't be a problem. I do plan to mount a shoulder strap as well so I can use it on my back while using RED.

My biggest question before I kick off the real work is regarding the slight curve of the nose of the sled. I don't want to saw it off I'd prefer to keep it at it's current size considering the foam will add some size too.

What would your suggestions be for the curve. On top curving in towards the wearer? On top curving out and away? On bottom curving in towards the wearer? On bottom curving out?

I was also contemplating mounting the handles long-ways to use the shield like an Urik-hai shield.

That's where I'm stuck making a decision. Any input? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Regarding the curve, I would personally put it top and away. It will help prevent you from hitting your head on it when you wear it on your back.

As for strapping it lengthwise, that's perfectly legit as long as it doesn't measure more than 3ft in that direction once completed.

Thurat wrote:Regarding the curve, I would personally put it top and away. It will help prevent you from hitting your head on it when you wear it on your back.

As for strapping it lengthwise, that's perfectly legit as long as it doesn't measure more than 3ft in that direction once completed.

I was thinking about the curve hitting my head or neck too. I think aiming out works best for doing back shield but I was wondering: If it's aimed out when in hand would that make it more vulnerable to being hooked and pulled by axes, hammers, or pole arms?

Regarding the length you're referring to, is that the length of the strap? The strap can't be past 3', or is a strap shield limited to 3' long?

Shields may not be more than 3ft wide when wielded as strapped. Don't think too much into it with the curve;it's inlikely to be as big of am n issue as you think. If you're that worried about it, take a belt sander to it or cut it off completely.

Great news! The board it self is only 17" wide without the padding and foam added yes. Assuming the packing foam will be 2" and the bedding foam will be about 1-2" I'm in good shape to use it as a strap shield too!

Thanks for the heads up. I think I will leave the curve on if it's not going to make much difference. That way I still have enough coverage area top to bottom.

I'll post more pictures once the gluing process begins.

I just bought 6 pieces of floor mat from the store 5 Below at 2 for $5.



I have 2 questions before I get to building and cutting.

1. Would these mats be ok to use on a wood core like this?

http://geddon.org/Constructing_a_Strap_Shield
The reason I'm asking is because this style of build doesn't use open cell foam (couch cushion) for an exterior layer.


2. Is the waffle style shield build still field legal?
Its another option I was thinking of doing to maximize the layers of coverage with these mats was to do layers of criss-cross strips of foam.

http://www.dagorhir.com/gear/content/we ... shield.php

2. Is the waffle style shield build still field legal?

I believe your shield will hit too solidly if you only use 4lb foam.

Those builds are both okay, but I'd suggest using a 2lb foam for most of it -- at least for the outer layers. Blue camp pad is the most common material I've seen used. Don't use couch cushion.

I usually build mine with 1 layer 4# on the face and sides, 1 layer of blue to the back, and blue to the sides and face as needed (usu. 2 layers or so). The 3' wide rule becomes a concern if you use it in the lotr fashion like you were talking about. using it laterally like that changes which side would count as the width.

Magpie Saegar wrote:I believe your shield will hit too solidly if you only use 4lb foam.

Those builds are both okay, but I'd suggest using a 2lb foam for most of it -- at least for the outer layers. Blue camp pad is the most common material I've seen used. Don't use couch cushion.

I think doing the waffle style might add the air pockets needed to soften the blow a bit. All 3 layers absorb well enough that my knuckles don't feel the board when I punch it, but I'll go the distance to make it softer.

Celtic Christ wrote: The 3' wide rule becomes a concern if you use it in the lotr fashion like you were talking about. using it laterally like that changes which side would count as the width.

I'm think I'm going to go in the normal tower shield direction. That will simplify the build. I'll save that style for a foam boogie board build.

To answer your other question, waffle shields are technically field legal, yes. However, they break down so much faster than solid foam that you would spend more time and money eventually repairing the shield than you would just using the standard construction method.

Caleidah wrote:To answer your other question, waffle shields are technically field legal, yes. However, they break down so much faster than solid foam that you would spend more time and money eventually repairing the shield than you would just using the standard construction method.

Good point! I figured the wood core would be good and hold longer than a foam core, but that would be all for not if I had to keep replacing the surface foam.

Done and done! solid layers it is!


This is the inside with the 2" trim of foam. Will need some finagling around the strap when I decide where the strap will go permanently.


I measured the remainder of foam strips left and should have enough for 3 layers (*.5" =1.5") of the floor mat foam around the outside circumference.

I might go pick up a camping pad to do one more additional layer front and sides.

The build got serious today when I busted out the DAP!

I started off with the facing:
-1st Layer


-2nd Layer


-3rd Layer


I attached the inner border and took a hand saw to the edge. This made an even surface for the edging to adhere to. As you can see the edge is a bit roughed up but its even top to bottom.

Adding the Edge Layers:
-1st layer of edge padding




-2nd layer of edge padding


-3rd layer edge padding ready to go


Duct taped the sides of the edge layers for stability. Screwed in the handle straps.


Screwed on leather belt for chest strap.

FINISHED SHIELD TODAY!

Made a cover out of scrapping my old Hakama pants. Here's the facing...






Here's the inside...

i have a feeling that thing will hit like a ton of bricks being all 4 pound foam. You may need to add a layer of blue to soften it up a bit still.

Magpie Saegar wrote:I believe your shield will hit too solidly if you only use 4lb foam.

Those builds are both okay, but I'd suggest using a 2lb foam for most of it -- at least for the outer layers. Blue camp pad is the most common material I've seen used. Don't use couch cushion.

If it passes at a big event let me know -- I'm legitimately curious. I stand by what I said before you did this, though.

Varadin wrote:i have a feeling that thing will hit like a ton of bricks being all 4 pound foam. You may need to add a layer of blue to soften it up a bit still.

Magpie Saegar wrote:

Magpie Saegar wrote:I believe your shield will hit too solidly if you only use 4lb foam.

Those builds are both okay, but I'd suggest using a 2lb foam for most of it -- at least for the outer layers. Blue camp pad is the most common material I've seen used. Don't use couch cushion.

If it passes at a big event let me know -- I'm legitimately curious. I stand by what I said before you did this, though.

I agree with both of you. I've pounded the edge of it hard and it is a bit tough and could afford to soften up with blue camp pads. I'm concerned myself about it passing at big events. I don't want to be stranded. So I do plan to pop into Muxlovia practice soon and see what they'd clear with it before taking it to a large event like Spring Wars.

I admit I was mostly driven to see if I could build one. I have found camp pads at walmart for $7.97 and I do plan to resurface the edges with all blue camp foam and at least one layer on the facing.

I have a 4lb core less punch that only uses 2lb on the edges, I had one fighter * about "feeling like core" on the face but it passed because every other checker thought it was fine, 4lb on the edge though will probably make it fail, it just cant spread the hit out like the face can, and yours is cored so it wont flex at all when struck.

Hardiron wrote:I have a 4lb core less punch that only uses 2lb on the edges, I had one fighter * about "feeling like core" on the face but it passed because every other checker thought it was fine, 4lb on the edge though will probably make it fail, it just cant spread the hit out like the face can, and yours is cored so it wont flex at all when struck.

I understand what you mean. I got an art commission paying off. I can pick up camp pad and do about 2 layers on top of one layer of the 4lb foam for the circumference. I'll add one layer to the facing.

Thanks guys for all the help!