planning first project

[deathwedgie]

After lurking here for a couple of weeks, I'm ready to start a set of tosei sode, with sugake odshi (did I get all that right?).

Any recomnedations as far as metal? Mild steel or galvanized? Is 16 ga heavy enough?

Thanks.

[AJBryant]

Well, you said it right. Now ya gotta make it right.

Are these for combat or for prettylookies?


Tony

[deathwedgie]

rattan combat.

[Otagiri Tatsuzou]

I haven't made sode yet, so I offer this with a grain of salt, take both. 16ga mild sounds about right for SCA combat. If you use galvanized, don't heat it with a forge or torch. Bad gasses happen.

Can anyone post about metal punches for making the holes? I have never used one, don't think I've seen one.

[deathwedgie]

I got out my reference books and found that galvanized is heavier than mild steel. For some reason I had thought it was the other way around. So I will definetly go with the steel.

About the lacing.

I guess I am going to go with 5/8 shoes laces. Five or seven rows of sugake odshi. So roughly, how much lace should I buy? I don't mind buying too much, odds are I will need some extra to fix what I screw up.

Otagiri, if you are interested in a punch, try Ebay. They always have lots of Roper Whitney and knockoffs for cheap. I bought mine for $20. It's great for 16 ga. but for more than that you would need something larger and bench mounted. Beats the heck out of a cordless drill and a dull bit.

[Otagiri Tatsuzou]

Thanks for the tip.

Sugake lacing width varies somewhat - but 2-2.5" between knots seems about right. A quick check over my sources showed sode with 5, 6, and 7 knots across the lame. So you have some wiggle room.

[StrikeFerret]

I'm with wedgie (what a phrase) in that I love my punch. Centerpunch first and you can line it up pretty well. Be careful, as bad lacing holes throw everything off.

If you want to drill, use cobalt steel bits. Cut like butter! Of use carbide if you're really into overkill. I would be if I could justify them.