My Scutum Press and Scutum Blank Construction

[M. Demetrius]

Isso está correto.
Right!

[M. Demetrius]

...

[Lusitano]

Isso está correto.
Right!

[sulla felix]

There is (or was) aslo a product called flexi ply (I think) made specifically for making strange curved shapes. I will see if I can find out more about this.

[sulla felix]

Here is a link to a product, however, 5mm and 8mm thickness only available. I am pretty sure other manufacturers make this in different thicknesses.

http://www.clarkswood.com/stagflex.htm

Whether it would work for a scutum is another question. I have seen it used to make complex curved shower cubicles and bathrooms but the plywood was supported (and held in shape) by metal studwork.

[sulla felix]

Welcome Johan,

Hi there all, first post here.

I thought I'd just add a tip on making a good, paintable, linnen covering.

First, just glue the linnen on as normal, but be sure to use a lot of glue! Let it dry, and apply another layer of glue so that it makes the linnen texture "disappear".

Now comes the fun part; sand down the glue layer and stop just before you start sanding the linnen. This gives a nice and even surface that lends itself well to painting. If the paint does not stick well, sand a second time with coarser paper.

Johan Schubert Moen

Just painted my linen covered (and now rawhide edged) scutum yesterday (photos to follow). I too used the glue as a sealer on the surface of the linen, which also cuts down the amount of paint required. Interesting idea about sanding the surface though. Thanks for sharing the tip.

[Aurelianus]

Good idea. Unfortunately too late form me. I've painted directly on the linen. It has needed really a lot of paint (on which I remember every time when I bear my scutum :wink: ).

What I regret is that the paint on the linen is vulnerable on abrasion. I’m very sad about because the painting on linen had a great effect.

Does anybody have an idea to save the painting? What about seal with glue? Any other ideas?

Thank you for your valuable help!!!!!


New painted and still without edge fittings:




After some use but still o.k. (BTW: the scutum is not short it looks like at all. It is standing one step below me)

[Roy]

Wow, looks great :o

[Aurelianus]

Thank you very much! Normaly I wear a blue tunic.....

[Lusitano]

What I regret is that the paint on the linen is vulnerable on abrasion. I’m very sad about because the painting on linen had a great effect.

Does anybody have an idea to save the painting? What about seal with glue? Any other ideas?

Apply white glue diluted in water several times.

It will protect a bit, after every time you use the shield check the surface with your hand if it has lost the protective layer of glue in certain bits apply the glue again to that spot.

But if your shield rolls down a hill the white glue wont protect that much

[sulla felix]

Nice scutum Aurelianus. What was the inspiration for the design?

I intend to seal my scutum with wax (either beeswax or punic wax - cannot decide yet!). I think this will be quite a good protective layer.

[Aurelianus]

Thank you for your help!


Barry

Our scuta are based on the Traians column.
Here is the website of our LEG XI where you can see the according details.

http://www.legioxi.ch/hi_embl.html
.

[sulla felix]

Thanks Patrik - nice website.

[Medusa Gladiatrix]

Salve Sulla Felix,

I had passed the link to this website to the guys of my group because we wanna try to build our scuta ourselves. Timm has asked me to enquire if you had used water steam to bend the wood.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[jvrjenivs]

Salve Sulla Felix,

I had passed the link to this website to the guys of my group because we wanna try to build our scuta ourselves. Timm has asked me to enquire if you had used water steam to bend the wood.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Medusa,

I know your question is towards Sulla, but I didn't use steam to bend the wood. You could easily bend it without. I'm currently going to try another shield blank which I will put into the press without glue some days before I glue it. Hopefully it will come out of the press in the right angle then.