RomanArmyTalk

Learned something else.

Apply the inner covering first.
Affix bracing second
Apply outer covering last.

This prevents the outer covering of rawhide from flattening the scutum while it dries.... and shrinks!

An Experiment:
We usually wet and bend the inner and outer strips, allowing them to dry then press the three layers together. We're going to experiment with a slight variation. Soak the wood till soft, allow to dry somewhat, assemble damp. The idea is to get better cohesive bending in the press.

Did some experimenting with assembling strips damp and they glue up just fine... just takes longer for the entire scutum blank to set up.

More Laudes!

How thick are these new shields? how do the weigh compared to the luan ones?

Thickness: not quite a 1/2" at the center, thinner towards all edges then cambered to about 1/4" for about 1" at the edges.

Weight: The latest batch of scutums are weighing in when completed at 16-17lbs.
Many variables in workmanship and materiels affect the weight.

Our 3 ply luan scutula weighed about 20lbs.

After we get the first 2 dozen made we'll have a better idea of the range of weights.

Here's a picture of the improvd craddle. Not the even spacing of slats and cross supports. The prior version employed luan with portals and did not work well at all.

WOW!!! The new craddle design is far superior to the prior version! Great access to the horizontal front layer of strips. Sometimes it's necessary to make adjustments to their alignment as the scutum strips are compressed.

Someone suggested a DVD and I thinlk we'll work on that!

I welcome critique and thoughts. Also, is there anything I may have overlooked or is there anything left unanswered?

Let me know!

Side note: Hope to have pics of all three presses in operation in a few days...