stingray4540 Report post Posted April 12, 2013 Just finished my latest, and possibly last(for a while) leather project. Sorry for the long post, this is as much for my future reference as it is to let you all know what I did. Archery armguard pattern designed by me to offer more protection while still allowing full articulation of wrist and elbow. Pattern is an adaptation of the Ardre III runestone from Gotland. No pics of the inside, but it's lined with deer skin with snaps to allow for a removeable wool liner/sweat rag. This is only my 4th carving and 2nd dying project, so feel free to offer any critisism. I don't offend easily, so be harsh. My process: > Case > Carve > Cut out pattern > Oil > Glue/stitch liner > Dye > Spray deft lacquer > Wool applied lacquer > Antique (fiebings black paste. Applied with wool, buffed with flat paper towel. Wool buffing pulled out all the antique... It works for other people I guess but not for me.) > 2 spray coats of lacquer (I was afraid of lifting the antique, due to the problems from the first coats) > Wool applied lacquer > Punch eyelet holes > Add a coat of montana pitch blend and buff with wool (actually my own formula, but same 3 ingredients) > Attach eyelets Things I didn't like or would do different: > I need to find black shock cord and a nicer bead... > Make sure dye on figure goes "over the edge" as the antique doesn't always cover the "sides" of the carving. > Next time I will try 2 spray coats, as the wool applied coat lifted some of the red and made the eyes more orange than yellow > First wool applied lacquer step unnevenly darkened the deer liner. I think I would only spray the liner next time. > Lacquer crackled/spiderwebbed when armguard was wrapped around my arm for the first time. > Next time I might try 50/50 resolene/water instead of the lacquer, due to the crackling problem. > 3/16" eyelets are inefficient for attaching lacing hooks. They are barely attached, and I had to replace two of them already. Sorry, for the poor cell phone pics, still waiting for my camera to ship... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Destrier Report post Posted April 12, 2013 That is gorgeous, and I'm sorry to hear it's your last project for a while. I'm still fairly new to carving myself so I'll let more experienced eyes do any critiquing, but in my opinion that looks great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JakeDiebolt Report post Posted April 15, 2013 I just finished work on a few armguards for the kids at my archery club, and I have to say that the hooks are a pain in the butt. The eyelets aren't good for attaching the hooks, but rapid rivets don't fit well either. I don't think the hooks will come off of mine but they already swivel quite a bit - and I had a hell of time setting the eyelets. I'm honestly thinking that the next time I make an armguard I'll use straps and buckles and forget stretch cord and hools, convenient as they are. They just don't seem to be doable without those press-set ones that the mass produced ones have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrdabeetle Report post Posted April 15, 2013 You can always trim the rivets to a smaller size using a cut-off wheel for a dremel or use thread to stitch the lacing hooks on like a sail grommet. (see pic below) It looks great and it is a period accurate method. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stingray4540 Report post Posted April 16, 2013 Well, I just got back from a tournament this weekend and hooks held up just fine. But I'm Leary of them. Thanks mrdabeetle, I'll have to try That on some scrap! Jake, don't bother with straps and buckles they don't keep the armguard in place, it slides down your wrist. I already tried it. So far the best method I've found, is Shockcord and buttons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Grizzly Report post Posted April 16, 2013 If your lacquer spiderwebbed it was most likely due to being put on too heavily. Use lighter coats. Also, you can spray your coats while the guard is in a bent position, that way it doesn't have stress put on the finish when you put it on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stingray4540 Report post Posted April 17, 2013 well the spray coats were pretty light, but the ones applied with the wool, well, the stuff dries pretty quick. I guess that my have been my issue. Perhaps next time I'll use the airbrush only? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stingray4540 Report post Posted April 17, 2013 FYI: anyone who finds this thread and wants to figure out how to sew a grommet like beetle posted, the key words you need to look up are "blanket stitch" and "dorset buttons." I spent hours trying to find tutorials on how to do hand sewn rope or sail grommets, but found little to nothing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrdabeetle Report post Posted May 14, 2013 You can also look up "ringbolt stitching". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Darby Report post Posted May 14, 2013 Nice looking bracer. The knotwork stands out well. Sewing the eyehooks on. What a great idea. I've not had a problem with the rivets so hadn't considered sewing but I like it. With some of the fancy stitches it would look well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameroo Report post Posted May 19, 2013 I always used the rapid rivets from Tandy, never had a problem. The post part of the rivet is a smaller diameter that the hole in the lace hook, but I just pound the rivets a little more snug than normal and they seem to work fine. I have had a few of the lace hooks start to turn slightly, but there is not enough pressure on the shock cord to even worry about the rivets separating, in my opinion. Given your limited experience with carving, I think you did a hell of a job, you should be proud of that one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
