How to make a Scutum

[Petermusante]

I got a bit of inspiration from you guys to make a scutum for fun and decided to make a how to for it, feel free to give any criticism or correct mistakes i may have made.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5311854_make-roman-scutum.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5309437_make-vi ... ield.html- added this in just because i wrote it

[jvrjenivs]

To make the handle stronger, you could opt to saw 2 half-circles in the board, so they will be later part of the handle. I also would not screw the handle in place but rivet it to the shield board. Also, as you suggest a size for the width of the round in the boss, maybe you should suggest that it is the same width (or a little bit bigger) then the hole in the board.

Also, when using a rawhide edge I would suggest stitching to secure it. Brass edging can be rivetted.

Also, I don't know of any evidence for an applied animal skin on shields. It seems they more used painted designs and sometimes metal (brass?) appliqués.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

I always press my scutum blanks a little on the large side. I use the top and bottom trimmings as a perfectly curved handle inset. I laminate a couple of the trimmings together for the handle, and also for the upper and lower brace. I use the excess from the sides for the vertical brace pieces. All glued and clench-nailed in place.
Then comes the linen gluing, then the paint and boss, which is again either rivetted in place or clench-nailed.