[Moo] Shaping a shield

[Sigrune at aol.com]

Acelina,

Contact Steffan Von Keil (sorry about the spelling Steffan)
He should have some wood type things to use as a form.  All you need is a big barrel type thing (the form) a very heavy rubber mallet (persuasion to get things started) and a couple of heavy duty come-a-longs.

Strap the shield to the form with the come-a-longs make them tight, and hit the inside of the shield, along the edges. it will begin to dish. Increase the tension and repeat. If your shield absolutely resists shaping you can try the "stand on it" method... By blocking the outer edges of the shield you place a 2x4 in the center and stand on it. This will start a bend or crease. Adjust the blocking to concentrate the bending in areas where there is not enough bend and repeat until the degree of curvature is acceptable and even.

Neither method is easy, but they do work.
-Takeda Sanjuichiro