Part 1. Design

After the Viking shield and the first kite shield (discussed previously on this website), I started working on a Scottish themed one. Several months later, I finally have a finished project to hang.

Tools used

• Jigsaw
• Hammer
• Battery-powered drill
  • Screw bits
  • Drill bits
  • counterbore
• Random orbit sander
• Pens and pencils
• Measuring tape
• Paintbrushes
• Various clamps
• Hot glue gun
• Whiteboard markers (black)

Materials used

• Two sheets of plywood (122 x 62cm) per shield
• One long pole of 4cm by 3cm
• Wood glue
• Skai leather for the rim
• Upholstery nails for the rim
• Two cheap, fake leather belts for the handles
• White linen
• Hot glue sticks
• Screws of various sizes.
• Acrylic paints (blue and white)

Build

The start of this project coincided with the kite shield I have posted about previously. As with that shield, this one was not as curved as I’d hoped. In fact, it was pretty straight. To set this right, I added a crossbrace made out of pallet wood. I simply screwed that to the shield.

With the bend in place, I added the facing. The linen had worked well with the other kite shield, so I just glued it on again. Once this facing had dried I drilled for holes and bolted the boss to the shield. I also decided on the pattern and started drawing out the blue and white basket weave. I then left the shield like this for several months.

After a considerable break, I continued the weave pattern, painted the blue parts and applied some details using fake leather belts that I had left over.

Using a whiteboard marker, which I stole from my work, I added the first layer of details. I also cut two strips of Skai (fake) leather and made a trim for the shield’s sides. I used the same exact way as with the other shield to make the adjustable handles and set the finished piece against the wall outside for the final photo.