02-02-2009, 12:08 PM
Byron . If you should decide to make an Umbo remember to curve the sheet of metal before you begin to beat out the dome, the tube that is used to create it has to have the same curve as the sheet of metal which of course needs to match the curve of a Scutum.
The reason for this curve of the metal is that it gets rid of a 90 degree situation at the left and right side of the umbo when it is made with a flat sheet, this sharp angle prevents the plate from sitting correctly against the shield surface near the hand grip. This method that I suggest gives an umbo which has verticaly a curve of 180 degrees and horizontaly a curve of around 190 degrees, this 10 degrees difference is no problem at all and creates a smarter and tidy job when fitted.
The reason for this curve of the metal is that it gets rid of a 90 degree situation at the left and right side of the umbo when it is made with a flat sheet, this sharp angle prevents the plate from sitting correctly against the shield surface near the hand grip. This method that I suggest gives an umbo which has verticaly a curve of 180 degrees and horizontaly a curve of around 190 degrees, this 10 degrees difference is no problem at all and creates a smarter and tidy job when fitted.
Brian Stobbs
