Hey there Im working on my first roman Belt and I have it to the point where I want to add some Decoration to my tassels that hang down in the Front, but I am not sure how to do it or how to work and cut the metal. Below is the idea that I was thinking about using for the bottoms of my tassels. Any advice and Input on how to accomplish the cutting and forming the pieces would be greatly appreciated.
[attachment=11621]Balteus1.jpg[/attachment]
Yours Roger
Roger L. Crisp
Cogito Ergo Sum
Quintus Equitius Crispin
By "tassels" I am guessing you mean the apron straps, and by "decoration" the apron terminals. The studs and terminals on actual apron straps always seem to have been thin castings, rather than pieces cut from plate. That said, if cast terminals were beyond your budget, you could probably get away with terminals cut from plate.
If doing that, I would suggest making a pattern in thin card first, so as to make each one the same shape. Shape-wise, the crescents in the example you have shown are essentially circular with a more or less circular cut-out at the bottom. There would also need to be a longish straight extension projecting from the top, which would then be bent outwards and then over to form the hinge. There needs also to be a hole above the cut-out to attach the hanger. The hanger is the shape of an upside-down tear, again with a long extension which becomes a hinge.
If making this in thin brass plate, if I were you I would mark the required shapes on the plate prior to cutting with a biro, whose ink can easily be wiped off again. Cut them out roughly and then finish them to the exact shape you need by filing. You could make the hole for the hanger with a drill but to avoid slipping I would use a centre punch first and would probably do it before cutting out the crescent shape. Alternately, you could punch it, but the plate might need flattening again afterwards.
Once you have filed your piece to the right shape, then you would need to carefully apply the decoration with a small punch. The decoration would be much easier to do if the plate was still flat, so I would not form the hinge until the decoration is complete. To make the hinge, I would bend the straight extension around a former such as a large nail, but would avoid closing it fully until it was fitted to its mount.
I hope this helps.
Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers. :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:
Crispvs is giving you excellent advice and you should heed it well. The belt you are using as a guide was made by Matt Lukes up in Vancouver, or about there. It may look simple, but there's a lot of craftsmanship involved so be patient.
Thank you very much for your advice and wisdom. Here in a bit I'll post some pictures of what it turned out to look like. Unfortunately i could not get my hands on enough brass to complete the tear drops yet, but I am working on that. And the only brass that I could get my hands on were hammered so they lack the shiny texture that I had originally aimed for. To attach the brass terminals to the apron I drilled holes into them and riveted them on with aluminum rivets which I feel makes it look really interesting.
The other part I played with was I had pewter to work with and there for I made the plates that go around the belt out of Pewter ( I am a broke high school student so I lack funds to make it better). I do plan on remaking it in the future to be more period and to be much more prettier, but for now I can only play with what I can afford
Again thank you for your advice and expertise and I plan on posting pictures of the belt so that you can more easily see what I have done.
Roger L. Crisp
Cogito Ergo Sum
Quintus Equitius Crispin
My fist attempt at a pseudo-Tejike apron strap terminal, with much cheating. I'm putting together a military belt using components from Quiet Press, which look pretty (esp when tinned) but are beaucoup heavy, as they are cast bronze. Tinning, courtesy of Caswell...
Two to go and the belt will be done...I'll post piccys...
Very well done for your first attempt I do like the crescent type terminals I did for my own belt http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/thread-27072.html
If you need any help post or pm me , look forward to the finished belt
Regards Brennivs
Woe Ye The Vanquished
Brennvs 390 BC
When you have all this why do you envy our mud huts
Caratacvs
Centvrio Princeps Brennivs COH I Dacorivm (Roma Antiqvia)
Thank you! I've already saved the pics of your belt hardware awhile back - very nicely executed! Suitable for framing!
I also see that you're emulating what might normally be cast pieces by doubling over the stock, soldering, and tinning. Also starting out with thicker stock and working it down - looks like you're handy with a set of needle files and/or a Dremmel. Something that I'm seriously considering, but my soldering is *horrid*! What I REALLY need to do is learn how to cast brass/bronze - oh the possibilities! One needs almost to be a jeweler, blacksmith, leather worker... Many disciplines converge while crafting these things.
I confess that strict duplication has never been my aim, much to the chagrin of purists. Essentially I produce copies of copies, perhaps including a twist or two of my own. What is that saying about the journey rather than the destination..? Grist for another discussion...
You can be sure, Tony, that I will be picking your brain as I go..!
No problem David I will expand in my belt thread on soldering ect casting would be great but I know I would not use it very often.
Regards Brennivs
Woe Ye The Vanquished
Brennvs 390 BC
When you have all this why do you envy our mud huts
Caratacvs
Centvrio Princeps Brennivs COH I Dacorivm (Roma Antiqvia)
