Questions...

hello,

Ive got a few questions about building materials.

Im going to start making an armory that i will start bringing to practice and i was wondering what you guys would recommend.

1.) .5x.5x2ft square fiberglass is 3.50 per stick on Bestdagstuff.com, are these good or do i need a longer length, etc, etc, etc....

2.) smithy: what did you use for your shield core? I like the feel of it and im probably going to use it.

3.) as you have probably read, im going to galaxy on Saturday before practice.... Whats the foam type and size i need again?

I think the ideal blue sword length is 28-32 inches? Ask Taco, he gave me a good idea.

I've also been curious about what kinds of foam to get, I'd really like to get 2 well balanced blue swords and a 6' glaive?

1/2" Velora, tell them to cut it into 1 1/2" strips lengthwise. In other words, if you get 3 yards, have them cut it so you have strips that are 3 yards by 1 1/2".

K-

What about the core?

whats the length you would recommend for fiberglass square?

!/2" square seems to be the preferred core for Reds. Check out Isk's construction miscellany page from ATD's forum.

3/8" or 1/2" round for blues.

I remember Kurn saying for Reds he prefer's the 'yoga' mat foam to regular closed cell.

http://sites.google.com/site/antirdearg/construction-m/

Konradr

Do i have to use rounds or can i use square core?

I'd think the square core would be easier to make a blade with?

Knubbs wrote:

Do i have to use rounds or can i use square core?

I'd think the square core would be easier to make a blade with?

I bought a five foot square core for my brother's red (that Taco still has and I need to get made). He said the squares are best.

Square core is the best to use for a variety of reasons, including that you can more easily do a sandwich blade with a square core. As to what a sandwich blade is:

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The blue '=' signs are your closed cell foam (ie: Ozark Trail foam from Walmart) oriented horizontally. That's a top-down cross-section of the blade.

It's extremely easy to put together, and fairly durable. The square core, if the same size as the width of the blue foam, fits perfectly.


As to the length of the sword, a general rule of thumb would be to take a yardstick in your hand and aim it down. Swing your arm. The length in which you can hold the yardstick and freely swing your arm at the ground while standing (without it touching the ground) is the most preferred length. Subtract a couple inches from the length on the yardstick to account for foam on the tip of the blade.

Yes!! 1/2" square cores are delightful. I would suggest using them for all bladed weapons even short swords. Get with best dag stuff, he is having a sale. Buy 3 get 4th free.

K-

Would these work very well for reds? Not necessarily large reds....

We are primarily getting 3/8" square cores because 1/2" are still expensive even on sale.

and best dag stuff is also sold out

The 1/2inch square is ideal for reds up to 60". Not the 3/8". Those are better for blues. Hmmm, maybe you could double two 3/8" together if you want to make a red and all you have is the 3/8" square.

Konradr

Yeah what I was thinking was two 3/8" cores together.

That should work. Glue em together, tape em with strapping tape and put the foam on.

Dagorhir minds think alike, unless their trolls.

Konradr

Alright lol

K'urn wrote:

1/2" Velora, tell them to cut it into 1 1/2" strips lengthwise. In other words, if you get 3 yards, have them cut it so you have strips that are 3 yards by 1 1/2".

K-

How much do they charge you guys for the Velora? I have used it some in the past and would be interested in playing with making blade layers from from 1/2" velora.

The last I remember it was like $11.00 a yard, at 5' wide. Don't quote me though, it's been awhile.
While you're there you may want to peruse thier scrap bin, some good finds in there too.

K-

I haven't been there yet. The last two people that bought velora for us were Kilanos, and Oddvar. Oddvar was the most recent. Maybe they could post the costs here. I remember Oddvar bought quite a bit of foam, some cut into 1.25 strips (I still have some) and some as whole pieces. I believe he quoted a total of $80, but I could be wrong.

Konradr

I am curious regarding your experience with velora for blades. I have mostly used it in a very thin layer to hold things in place since it really resists tearing, but IME it has taken and retained a set from storage or impact far more easily than EVA or Walmart Blue. I don't know if that is just because what I've used is so thin that the cell structure is easily compromised (but still resists tearing well) or if it's just what velora does.

I've had no real trouble with it. Most of the blades I've made with it seem to hold up well (some in extreme circumstances). It does resist tearing exceptionally well. I have yet to use it long enough to see what the long, long term results are. Then again I tend to make my stuff to last. lol.

K-

I gotta chime in on this one. Velora is quite possibly the best material for building weapons. Kurn showed it to me and now I will use it forevermore. I can tell you that a sturdily built weapon made with Velora and cured DAP will survive 130 degrees plus. I built some when I was deployed in Kuwait. The core foam of my realm dagger which I built over a year ago is Velora and I have not seen it degrade noticably at all. The open cell on the outside is another story. Heck I've even used it in shield construction. If you plan to purchase some just to experiment with 25-30 dollars will get you far (2 maybe 3 small weapons). I usually spend around 50 bucks, builds one red, two blues, and a shield. Me and Taco are going down to get him some foam so I'll let you know on prices.

Thanks, Smithy. My experience with it crushing easily must be because it's so thin, then. I will have to swing down there and pick some up soon. Is Galaxy open Saturdays?

Yes it is.

Gonna have to stop by the next time I'm down there.