Archer bracer pattern

[TomSwede]

This is the pattern I use to make my archers bracers. The only fun part with this bracer is to view the final result. It is stringed together at the side of the arm. It is made as a right or left arm piece. I use tracing film to trace cutting pattern over from this sketch so remember to flip the film upsidedown if you want to make a right arm piece. THIS IS A LEFT ARM PATTERN!!!

Sizing: The original to this one is to fit an arm wich is about 19cm (7,4") diameter and you can see the mark for Cris is 17,5cm (6,8") so for that bracer I just cut the marked edge off from the original to fit his arm and make sure to follow the hole lines to mark out the stringing holes accordingly.

If one want's to make it smaller in diameter than Cris version it'd be wise to scale it down a bit (thus sacrificing height) Since the curled line on the inside arm may not align properly to the wrist contour.

Tooling designs: I just think it's a nightmare to setup this one with the artwork since I don't draw very well thus depending on "borrowing" art. Because of the height of this one the artwork I find will most often go around to the inside of the arm and most art work is based upon centered designs so it's hard to find designs that'll display nicely once it's formed to the arm. So i always end up spending hours with just finding the right tooling artwork.

Wetforming: I just think this one deserves to have that performed before shipped off to customer since it's important to make the top and bottom edges curled up. The bottom edge will not be very comfortable if not curled up and top is just to complement bottom curl.

I just string it wet (cased, cool to touch and put eyelets in before stringing) onto myself and sorta pinch the edges between my thumb and index finger and curl it up. WATCH OUT FOR DIGGING YOUR NAILS INTO IT! Once I'm satisfied with the look and feel of the edge I just slide a finger in between the leather and my skin and pull it under the edge every now and then to prevent it from falling back during the drying process. I keep it on my arm for about 2-3 hours.

This design with the curled edge benifit a whole lot from having a tooled border IMO.

ENJOY

[TomSwede]

A few pics.

Edited July 27, 2008 by TomSwede

[Froghunter]

Nicely done Tom!

Good looking finished product! Thanks for sharing!

[sodapop]

hey tom...good stuff man!!...ya answered one of my questions i was gonna ask ya after seein the one ya did for pog...heres a question i have...when your looking at the pattern...on the bottom left of the pic...whats the reason/purpose for that indented area??

darryl

[TomSwede]

Thank you guys!

The bottom line follows the contour of the arm and the bracer against the hand and that part is extended to allow you to string it tigether there. One could place the stringing holes upwards and cut down that part but my guess is the whole bracer would just ending up higher on your arm wich spoils the general idea of this one to really marry and reinforce your wrist yet provide some movement there. This bracer works just as good for the hand holding the bow aswell as the releaser hand.

Tom

[trastu]

very good. I like

[TomSwede]

Thank you Trastu! Hope it'll come to use!

Tom

[ArtS]

Awesome! I really like the shaping and the coloring. The gold on that one really looks good.

ArtS

[calanneh]

Looking great buddy!!

Keep uploading the pictures!!

cal

[TomSwede]

Thank you ArtS and Calanneh!

Like I said in my first post, this one's worth it in the end and if I don't have to wast ours on coming up with the design it's quite as simple and straightforward as normal bracer but I'm always nervous that it won't fit properly to customers arm but no complaints so far.

I'm having a slow period with just lots of stuff to do but after my semester I'm gonna pick up pace again.

Thank you for the encouraging words!

Tom