05-08-2013, 06:48 PM
To make the tang on a typical pilum, the metal gets so thin that it has no strength. Just working the math shows that a 3/8" (0.95cm) square rod, hammered to be 1.5" (3.81) wide can be no thicker than 0.09375", or 3/32", (0.24 cm)approximately 13 ga. This thickens as the flanged tang approaches the end of the wood block, but is still very thin and weak.
It seems to me that folding the tip of the metal over and welding the two together, thus doubling the metal for hammering, should serve to add the desired strength to the tang. Is this how others make these?
Seems like that same procedure should make for the long sockets that are often seen on some spears, too.
Many of the imports are for show, not for throwing, and they solve the problem by welding the tang to the metal rod. This does not work well at all, as any who have thrown them will attest. I don't believe the Romans had the problem of the tang breaking, so they knew how to get around this problem.
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales...metal.html
Metal gauge to measurement table, just for reference.
It seems to me that folding the tip of the metal over and welding the two together, thus doubling the metal for hammering, should serve to add the desired strength to the tang. Is this how others make these?
Seems like that same procedure should make for the long sockets that are often seen on some spears, too.
Many of the imports are for show, not for throwing, and they solve the problem by welding the tang to the metal rod. This does not work well at all, as any who have thrown them will attest. I don't believe the Romans had the problem of the tang breaking, so they knew how to get around this problem.
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales...metal.html
Metal gauge to measurement table, just for reference.