ok now my shield

idk if i built it right. the wooden base is about 1/2" thick, the foam covering it is 2" of the blue camping mat foam and 1" of some temporpedic memory foam. the stuff is kinda stiff. lastly the edge is covered with 1" of blue mat. idk if im gonna use it but if i did wood u think that wood be legal? also i have two leather straps on the back and they r bolted down but i put the bolt and screws on the backside so they jut out right at the straps. wat shood i do about the bolts?

bring it out and we'll test it.

aight. im probably just gonna buy one from edhellen. there shields are the best

1 " of camping mat on the edge is not enough. You will need a layer of 1 inch or so of open cell on top of that, and then another layer of camping mat over that. The edges can be used for shield checking so they must be safe. We test the edge by placing the shield on the ground and pounding it with our wrists, slowly, lightly at first, then harder. If it hurts, it doesn't pass.

I use plywood for all my shields. Pad the front with 1 layer of camping mat, then at least 1 1/2" of open cell or 2" of open cell on top of that. A finaly layer of camping mat is not really neccessary but firms up the shield. We test the front of the shield by first pushing in to see if we can feel any bolts where the grip is attached. Anything pokey and it doesn't pass. We then start punching in all around the front to see if we hit core. Hit core, it doesn't pass. If it's too stiff and hurts our hands, it doesn't pass.

There need's to be at least an inch or inch and a half width of foam (camping mat, one layer) around the back edge as well, butting up against the foam on the edge. There can be no gaps.

Strapped shields, no worries unless you have bolts sticking out too far. Center grips, the ends of the grip need to be padded (one layer camping mat will do) in case someone's hand or body part gets slammed against those.

Cloth cover securely fastend (I use a staple gun and staple them into the wood) You can also stitch them to make them tight and then they are removable.

Paint something on the front that stands out and says "This is me" all over it.

Konradr

TY Konradr.

i kinda just said screw my round shield just cuz its too heavy and the memory foam is way too stiff. i made a heater shield tonight that turned out exceptionally well... the cover is a pretty ghetto job with staples and duck tape on the back but all else it turned out pretty nice. i may modify it with my next paycheck and make another cover 4 it.

Konrad, please don't use your wrists. Use the knife edge of your hand.

K-

Thanks Kurn, maybe I was thinking forearm, but now I remember you showing me the edge of your hand. Maybe it was the Belegarth guys checking with their forerarm??? Or maybe old age???

Konradr

Yeah we belegarth peeps check with forearm, but I also saw one of them elbow the top of the shield... Mostly cause if you are trying to reach around a shield or do a high cross shot, your forearm can hit the edge of the shield.

We (ATD) use the forearm after we've felt it all the way around for danger spots and even then a couple of lighter bounces or a knife hand first is in order.