How practical is it to make things?

[Max_]

I would never try to make anything out of metal or anything like that, but a lot of other stuff seems way over priced (like 70 dollar tunics, 90 dollar belts, etc...), do you think I could make some of this stuff myself?
I'm pretty sure a tunic would be easy, but some of the other things seem a bit more complicated, do you think I should try anyways?

[DanM]

I'm 13 and I'm already working on making metal. I've worked with aluminium, I'm moving on to bronze.

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Max,

You will be suprised at what knowledge about yourself this hobby can bring you. I am confident that you can make a large part of your kit if you WANT to. :wink:

[Lvcivs Commodvs Cicero]

I would never try to make anything out of metal or anything like that, but a lot of other stuff seems way over priced (like 70 dollar tunics, 90 dollar belts, etc...), do you think I could make some of this stuff myself?
I'm pretty sure a tunic would be easy, but some of the other things seem a bit more complicated, do you think I should try anyways?

You can make pretty much every piece of your kit including the helmet. How much time you have to devote to it would also be a factor. If you can get together with a local legion you can go to the monthly Fabricae and learn how to make cool stuff.

You can buy parts or kits or you can scratch build everything its up to you.

[DanM]

When I first starting working with metal, about 2 months ago, I was only melting aluminium, and now I'm gonna try to make bronze spear heads and maybe even a gladius. It's really easy to pick up. But strangley, sewing is out of the question for me, I couldn't at school. Emotionally scarred

[Iace]

really? I am very good at sewing....I have even made my own shirt...mabye it comes with the fact that I wear a [url:332wre51]http://www.utilikilts.com[/url][/url]

[Magnus]

Hi Max,

Take it in small steps. Start first with making clothing, which will give you experience at following patterns and some basic sewing skills. You can then move onto sandals (Caligae), and so on.

Check out Matt Amt's site if you haven't already:

www.larp.com/legioxx/

Click on the link to the Legionary's Handbook...that will tell you how to make everything you need!

Good luck!

[Aetius Helvius Merula]

When I first starting working with metal, about 2 months ago, I was only melting aluminium, and now I'm gonna try to make bronze spear heads and maybe even a gladius. It's really easy to pick up. But strangley, sewing is out of the question for me, I couldn't at school. Emotionally scarred

Yeah I still feel wierd telling people I sew my stuff. I usually show them what I made, then tell them I made it myself No snickers yet.

I find that if I find something I like, but don't want to shell out the cash, then I'll try to make it if I think I can. Mail, helmets, detailed ironwork and sword blades are beyond my ability as of yet, but everything else I find I can learn. I didn't know how to make scabbards, tunics or leather goods until I tried, and I found that I could do it quite well. So try it out!

[Nathan Beal]

(excuse the tangent, it's vaguely relevant)

For the last 4 years i have spent the majority of August on site working with a friend of mine in a medieval style mint.

I tend to take a number of 'small' jobs with me to be getting on with whilst our normal money making activities are not in demand. One rather nice summers day i was sat leaning against a tree getting on with a tunic and a family comes by. The mother immediately starts admonishing her sons (both in their late teens) with 'well if he can sew his own clothes you could at least sew on your own shirt buttons'.

It possibly helps that i have the build of a rubgy player (with the beer gut of the entire team ).

-oOo-

But in answer to your question, yes it's certainly possible to make everything you need. Go back even a few years and most people did. It depends on what experience you have and what tools you have access to. If you live near to other reenactors (and they don't have to be Roman) then there is most probably a wealth of experience nearby, but don't forget your parents and especially grandparents.

So in short give it a try. If you get stuck or need help then you can always ask on here.

HTH
N.

[jvrjenivs]

And most important (for me at least) it's fun to do and you could be more proud of your kit. Everyone can buy a deepeeka kit together, but only some have the power to make their own.

Note that with power I don't mean skills and knowledge at all. You'll get these with time. I only mean that you give it a go, and although sometimes it's hard and take a lot of time, you in the end finished the piece and didn't gave up.

This wouldn't say that buying a nice 'starter' kit together is wrong.

[JVL]

When I was 15, I made my first decent ballista- now I have almost finished my kit, and I am making a metalframed ballista(which is quite a big project, even if I say it myself). And I am only a year older than you! I am most certain that you can learn how to make armour and other parts for a kit, quite fast too. It all depends on your enthusiasm for your hobby.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

Another thing it's customize deepeka or another products. Some deepeeka products are easy to modify, to make it more real or simply to make them diferent.

Exemple: the hilts of the swords. It's easy to take off the original pommels and put another on.

A lot of exemples are showed here, at RAT.

I think it's dificult to an beginner to make all the kit. Some pieces are possible to make, but anothers it's dificult if you want to be accurate.

And, of course, there are some degrees of dificulty. Talking about swords, for a beginner it's possible to beginn with a Porto Vechio/ Long Windsor sword, a Pompei Style for some expierence later, and a Fulham/ Tiberius sword for the last.

For the beginners, aseemby pieces are a good training. Buy pieces like the belt parts, and try to make a belt, etc.

[brennivs - tony drake]

Yes Have a go there is a wealth of knowledge on here which is easy to access and FREE, so if you get stuck just ask a question and Haypresto D
Regards Brennivs

[richsc]

do you think I could make some of this stuff myself?

I didn't think I could either, some years ago. Now it's the entire kit, helmet to caligae. The only warning is that you tend to keep accumulating tools and then you need a bigger space, then you have a workshop with all these neat projects started, then some get done, then another idea occurs, then that gets started..

[Shinyhead]

Ah, making stuff.
Making stuff is an extremely important life lesson for many modern people in my opinion.

I grew up not making much stuff myself. After some time in the military and working in a gas company that all changed. Now my first thought is how can I make it, followed by, is it worth my time to make it.

I cannot tell you how important learning to do things like this is to me.

Here is a short list of some things I have made/done..

Barn stalls
various armor pieces
furniture
computer cases
custom horse tack
fighting robots
sandblasting cabinet
custom tools (for working on cars)
table saw table
buffing station
air compressor
solar collector
vacuum pump
forge burners
pull out pantry shelves
kitchen cabinets
pocket doors
pneumatic planishing hammer
and many more!

Some were harder then others, some were probably not worth doing myself, but I am confident that given time, there is not much a person cannot do themselves.