How to Make a Shield

I love armor and have already made a shirt of chainmail that you can read about here, as well as owning a sword. So I decided to make a shield that I can use when my friend and I fight. We are trying to learn the lost art of sword fighting. 

Stuff you'll need

• Cold rolled sheet metal (Lowes, Canadian Tire, ex.)
• about 30 1in screws
• about 25 1/2in screws
• 8-10ft 1-by-4s 
• sandpaper
• nylon or leather strapping 
• 4 roofing nails
• Jigsaw with wood and metal blades
• Drill and drill bits
• ball peen hammer

For my shields I decide that the best size was 2ft by 1½ft so that it would cover most of my body without being to heavy. I also thought that a basic rectangle would be best because I am just a beginner at metalworking.

I bought the metal from Lowes for just over 40 dollars but that was enough for 2 shields so you could get a smaller piece that wouldn't be so pricey. Now just mark the length you want with a sharpie and cut it with a jigsaw. This is better done outside, as the metal pieces will go everywhere!

 Unlike normal shields mine does not have a full wood backing but instead a wooden frame around the edge. I decided to do it this way because I do not know how to bend wood properly. This way is also easier.

 Now that you have the main part of the shield you need to give it rigidity in the form of a bend. This will strengthen it by keeping the metal in tension and helping it deflect sword blows. It also looks better.
 First, you have to decide how much of a bend you think looks good. The easiest way to figure this out is to tie 2 pieces of string around the top and bottom and pull them tight so the metal is kept in that curve.
 Experiment with this until you find something you like, and then trace the shape on to your piece of wood.

 Now redraw the top of the curve on the bottom of the piece of wood so that the end result will be more like a rainbow than a semi-circle. Cut one out with the jigsaw and make sure it fits the shield before tracing it to make the second piece.

 Now that you have the pieces of wood you need to attach them to the metal. For this you should use 3/4 to 1in screws because they will be under a lot of tension. For mine I put them every 1 ¼in but had to start about 2 inches from the sides because the wood tappers off there.

 You will need to pre drill the metal and the wood but with 2 different size drill bits, one that is slightly larger than the screw for the metal and one slightly smaller for the wood. That way the screws slip through the metal and bite in the wood without splitting it.

Tip
 It is best to drill the metal, mark the 2 edge screws, drill them and attach them to the metal and then mark the rest of the holes on the wood. Finally, remove the wood and finish drilling and insert all the screws. That way all the holes should line up.

 To complete the wooden frame and to stop the metal from bowing you will need side pieces. These are difficult to cut out because they are very thin and curvy. 
Measure the length of the metal in-between the end pieces, this will be the length of the sidepieces. Mine are 22 3/4in long, 1in thick and widening out to 4 by 1 ½ in at the bottom and top. This enables them to be screwed in to the metal after both are predrilled.
 There is not as much tension on these pieces so a ½ in screw along the side every 2in and to in the top and bottom should be fine.

 The basic part of the shield is done, now you just need a way to hold it. The best way to do this is with 2 handles, one for your arm the other for your hand; that way you have complete control. For mine I used leather and nylon strapping.
 
 There are a few ways you could attach the handles to the shield (like nuts and bolts) but I think the best way is riveting. This is not a hard process and it does not need and special tools except an anvil, roofing nails and a ball peen hammer. Drill or punch a hole in both the material and metal that the nail can fit easily through. Insert the nail and make a mark with a sharpie about a 1/8in above the metal. Cut off the rest of the nail with a hacksaw and reinsert the nail. Make sure that the head is next to the material and you will be hammering onto the metal. 
 
 Place the whole thing on the anvil and, using the round end of the hammer, hit the sides of the nail. They will start to flatten out and sort of mushroom keep on going till the nail doesn't rattle or move. 
 Repeat this 4 times until both handles are attached 
 
Tips:
·   Put the handles nearer to the top so the shield won't over balance.
·   The rivets cannot be undone so be very careful! 

 You are almost done but there are a few things that can make your shield look better and be safer.
 
 First, you can file down the sidepieces so they meat the end piece. Also it is good to trim the corners of the metal, as they are quite sharp and poky. snip the ends with side cutters, file the edges and hammer them inward to touch the end piece.
 Second, if you missed, as you were riveting, from the inside you can hammer out those bumps.
 Finally, give the entire wooden frame a good sanding and admire your work!

(You can paint a crest on your shield or print one out on sticker paper. I am planning to do this but have not gotten around to it yet.)