How to Make a Metal Rectangular Shield
Creating your own craft model rectangular shield is an artistic way to express your interest in the history of knighthood and sword fighting. The Medieval period, for example, saw an increase in the use of shields to protect knights and other warriors from incoming blows from enemy swords or arrows. Attaching a copper or tin cross to the top of your shield will boost the aesthetic appeal of your project and make it more authentic.
Things You'll Need
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
- Safety glasses
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- 1/4-inch-by-18-inch-by-24-inch metal sheet
- Band saw
- Abrasive sanding pad
- 1/4-inch-by-6-inch-by-20-inch tin or copper piece
- 1/4-inch-by-2-inch-by-6-inch tin or copper pieces (2)
- Solder gun
- Solder wire
- Damp sponge
- 6-inch leather strap
- Leather-to-metal epoxy
Instructions
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1
Slide on a pair of work gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses to protect your skin, lungs and eyes.
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2
Measure a 1/4-inch metal sheet to 18-inch-by-24-inch dimensions. The sheet acts as the body of the shield. Cut the sheet to these dimensions with a band saw. Round off the corners of the shield with the band saw to prevent the shield from stabbing you. Dull the edges of the shield with an abrasive sanding pad.
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3
Measure and cut a 1/4-inch tin or copper sheet to 6-inch-by-20-inch dimensions. Measure and cut two 1/4-inch tin or copper sheets to 2-inch-by-6-inch dimensions. The three pieces will act as portions for the shield's cross. Dull the edges of the cross portions with an abrasive sanding pad.
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4
Lay the 20-inch cross portion at center on the shield.
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5
Preheat your solder gun. Run solder wire on the warm solder gun tip. Wipe the tip clean with a damp sponge.
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6
Touch the end of the solder wire to the bottom right corner of the shield piece. Touch the hot solder gun tip to the end of the wire. Watch the wire melt and secure a permanent bond of the cross corner to the shield. Continue soldering around the perimeter of the 20-inch cross piece.
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7
Measure down 4 inches below the top of the 20-inch cross piece. Place one of the 6-inch cross pieces flush against the left side of the 20-inch cross piece at the 4-inch mark. Solder the 6-inch piece to the shield and 20-inch piece. Repeat with the second 6-inch piece on the right side. Turn off the solder gun.
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8
Turn the shield over. Bond a 6-inch leather hand strap to the center of the shield with a leather-to-metal epoxy.
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