Ironhorse Armoury

09/22/2024

The project table grows. Trying to get caught up on orders and projects. Armor bits for me, family, a coupla orders, and things for the Barony of Glyn Dwfn light loaner gear. Keep on swinging...

03/18/2024

Could have sworn I ordered 3/16, not 3/32. Oh well, when Amazon gives you lemons, make adorably small fibulae.

03/08/2024

I've wanted a set of these since I got started, back when Halberds was slinging them on the Armour Archive. Holland Anvil now sells them for a good price with shipping included. They come rough from casting but a couple hours of grinding and polishing later (mechanical 60-120-320, hand 400-600-1200-2000) and now they're so smooth they impart the shine on the work piece. Will definitely speed certain steps up!

02/26/2024

Hey all, in case you didn't make it to Principality of the Summits' Arts & Sciences, I did a display with lorica segmentata (shocker, I know), and a completely new thing for me, Roman terracotta oil lamps! I don't think I've done pottery since I was making vases for mommy in grade school, but these have been a blast to figure out and bring to life!

I've made plaster molds using archetypes that I made (wood and florist foam) and 3d printed replicas of actual museum pieces. 3d printing aside, casting existing lamps is a completely period practice since corporate plagiarism was totally a thing 2000 years ago too! Clay was rolled, pressed into forms, then removed and joined at leather hardness. After air drying they were burnished and touched up a bit, then on to the kiln which worked well considering the cost! My homebrew PID worked perfectly! Kiln struggled a bit to make it all the way up to the temp I was shooting for, I'm thinking insulation and coil issues, but I was well beyond where I needed to be for sintering to take place. Tests went well post-firing, and I lined the insides of most with shellac, but also some with beeswax for that period flavor. The ones that you'll see for sale at Tain Bo, Egils, and ATWW will all be shellac since it's the safest and longest lasting. They burn well, and I am positively giddy every time I light one up!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!

01/18/2024

I don't post enough, so here's a post, some of the current projects on my desk:

-Woodburning table tops using stencils made on the new vinyl cutter.

-3d printed knucklebone dice inscribed with numbers per Roman Tali scoring.

-Experiments with Viking wire weaving.

Not pictured: a ton of other rabbit holes.

05/06/2023

Getting ready for Tain Bo! Making some stakes for the eric in the market area.

03/24/2023

Sold a couple of the first run of umbos at Summits Coronet, got some good feedback and requests, now making more!

01/05/2023

Nothing special, just a couple of simple right handed demis. Loaner gear had a ton of leftys and one somewhat sus right, now there's a better ratio. Also just pleased to complete something!

Used some 16g I picked up as scrap that looks almost blued where its not rusty. I like the look, may need to learn how its done.

Also slapped together some plastic legs from the not-so-legal bits that came with the loaner gear.

12/29/2022

I found this 1963(?) Homelite chainsaw languishing in my dad's basement years back. No idea when it ran last but the old fuel in the tank had formed a solid gum that peeled out. A good service later and this beast seems ready to join the family. Good timing as a wind storm just dropped a 2'+ Ponderosa across my driveway.

12/10/2022

Just finished commission piece for part of a military farewell gift! Pictured with the printers that birthed it.

11/26/2022

All set up and doors are open, come see us today at the Expo! Support Small Business Saturday!

11/21/2022

Just finished this. Sold a bunch of tile art at the last market, gotta make moar!

09/13/2022

Stuffing some chainmail juggling balls with remnants that my Mom gave me. They appear to be a bit old. 😆

07/27/2022

One of my best thrift store finds, an Armstrong Bros die set with 1/4 to 1" NPT dies. Currently helping keep costs down on the next set of propane torches. More fun with metal.

07/16/2022

Playing around with something new (to me, anyway). Anodized aluminum for a new chainmaille project I've been working on.

05/06/2022

I think this is my new favorite thing.

Battery operated LED flame effect bulb in medieval-esque 3d printed torch. For those sites that don't allow flame but you don't want to bust out a flashlight and ruin the vibe.

11/14/2021

For the night is dark, and full of terrors!

I love making these things, but I love setting them up even more! Just wrapping up the first sets from the new shop.

For sale: Custom made propane torches that are great for camping, patios, holiday displays, and wherever else the light from real flame is desired. Quick and easy to set up with just a hammer and...

11/14/2021

Christmas is coming! If you're looking to get some custom work done, don't wait!

https://medford.craigslist.org/for/d/central-point-mosiac-wall-decor/7407906800.html