Glueing a Linothorax

[ouragos]

The glue will not soak through the linen unless you really overload it - but by the time you get to the outer layers you should have the technique.

Pteregues, well a better way is to build, cut and then add an extra, fold over layer that you wrap around like a bedsheet on a mattress - trimmed at the corners of course. Adds two layes effectively and leave all three exposed edges finished off.

Glue - experiment. My wife did the originial testing for us by attaching linen to linen to leather to leather to wood to wood to linen. Let them all dry out fully, cure for a few days and then spent a merry time ripping them all to bits. Marvin was the only one that resisted. One of its wonderful properties is that allows you to re-work and repair old builds as well as when it is teased to separate, it tends to do so without damage to the materials.

Am certain there will be others just as good, but there are a lot of rubbish PVA's a swell. If your experience with the one you usually use is good, just do a quick test with some crap to reassure yourself first?

DON'T paint the inside - by using pva and paint you will seal yourself in and it can get a bit moist in hot weather. Don't ask why, but it is more bearable if the inside is not painted. It is also nicer on the skin!

You might find that building in two halves creates a weak centre and it will be liable to separate in places after a while with use. Particularly as the stitching will create an uneven surface. The theory is good, but the practice could present you with a challenge. A more robust finish will be achieved with a complete, wet on wet, build. Binds better.

Also, if there is damage to the scales and they pull loose, you are creating a major repair task. If this is an issue?

If seeing the stitches is a problem for you, why not just add one final, inner layer of linen once it is scalled?

Paint - well the BEST finish, and this is not very authentic, can be achieved with matt enamel paint. Not the cheapest approach but it is good for both finish and durability. Be aware, linen sucks in paint like a sweating football player drinks.... Linen also 'lifts' when painted and thus you need to get enough on to flatten it down (which can mean you have to smooth it off whilst wet) and ensure you can add a pattern later without it spreading - but I guess you know that if you are already painting linen covered shields.