Greek Bronze Greaves

[Chris B]

Okay. Here is Day 1 of the new process:

1) I covered my legs in vasoline.
2) I used 1 (4" wide X 15 yard long) plaster bandages pack, cut into about 6" long strips to coat each leg from the ankle to the lower thigh. That means 1 of these packs for each leg.
3) I let each leg dry for roughly an hour (1 leg at a time).
4) I cut the casts off by slitting it down both sides. Some hair came with them even though I used vasoline.
5) I put the two halves back together and used another pack of plaster bandages to reinforce each leg. (Total of 4 plaster bandage packs so far).
6) I let them dry and used 1 more package for each leg to make absolutely sure the walls are going to be thick enough to cast mortar inside.
7) The next step will be coating the inside with vasoline and pouring mortar into each mold. I will use those casts to shape and test fit the templates, aluminum foil greaves, and ultimately the bronze greaves.





Note: I already notice assumptions about my legs that were wrong. It is nice to see them up close. For instance: I was shocked how much larger my right leg is from my left. I also quickly noticed that the knee just doesn't drop off under the lower edge. The bone curves and rised to it so I will need to dish a "v" under the knee cap as well to get it to fit like a glove. I also now know how the dried cast felt on my leg and will know what "feel" I am working to attain for the metal.