How To Make A Fiberglass Rapier Simulator

These simple instructions will allow you to make an inexpensive,  relatively safe, and practical fiberglass rapier from common materials which can be used to practice the art of rapier fighting.

Sword 029.jpg The Shady Isle Pirate Fiberglass Rapier Simulator is based partially on documents & instructions from the SCA (Society Of Creative Anachronism), written by Steven Greenfield, and ARMA (The Association For Renaissance Martial Arts), these rapiers have been used in rapier tournaments and re-enactment groups such as the SCA. They are also an excellent alternative to steel swords for theatrical plays, and pirate re-enactment groups. The Shady Isle Pirates love these swords because they are light, easy to handle, and very safe in crowds.  

PLEASE NOTE: Some SCA Kingdoms have their own rules and regulations regarding fiberglass rapiers for tournament use. In some kingdoms, these have been phased out for tournament use in favour of steel swords, but these still make great practice swords. Please check with your local shire for current regulations if you are planning to use them in a tournament.

 

Let's begin with a list of tools and materials you will need to have on hand:

Tools:
Hacksaw
Drill W/ Various Bits
Small file (Both Round and Flat Files Are Useful)
Sand Paper (Coarse Grit & Fine)
High temp hot glue gun
Drop Cloth / Wax Paper / Newspaper
Black sharpie marker
Ruler or Tape Measure
Small knife/razor blade/box cutter
Scissors
Lighter (If you dont have matches)
Gloves and/or Dust Mask
Eye Protection (Useful when drilling)
Paint Brush(es)

Materials:
The materials you need can be found at your local hardware store. If you live in Canada, the Shady Isle Pirates recommend visiting your local Rona/Revy or Irlybird Store (ROD'S Building Supplies)

Rona/Revy Logoirlybird.gif

 

QTY

DESCRIPTION
1 Roll of 1 1 1/2" - 13/4"  Industrial Strength Duct Tape

1

Roll of 1/2" - 3/4" Fiberglass Strapping Tape
1 Vinyl Furniture End Covers (Chair Ends) as tight fitting as possible
2 Vinyl Rod Covers (Found in Shelving Section Of Hardware Store)

1

Stainless Steel or Brass Mixing Bowl (1/2 Qt. - 1 Qt.)

2

1/4" x 1" x 5" Pieces of Wood (cedar lathe works well)

1  Roll of Whipping Twine (Nylon Chord)
2 Metres/Yards  1/8" Chord or Rope
1  2 1/2- 3  inch stove bolt or all-thread  to fit pommel (Cabinet Knob)  #8 works well
1  Pommel (wooden/ brass/ decorative cabinet knob)
4  44-48" Solid Fiberglass Rods 1/4-3/8" (Driveway Markers / Bike Flags)
1 Pint Varnish or Shellac
Various Pieces of finishing/wrapping material / paints
6-8 Inches

22 Gauge Gavlanized Wire

 

Step 1:How To Make The Blade:

 driveway markerThe first step in making the blade is to prepare the fiberglass rods. Our rods were originally driveway markers. We got the markers from our local Rona/Revy and Irlybird hardware store. Our markers had reflectors at the top which we needed to cut off. The markers from Irlybird  were a little longer (72 inches) than the ones from Revy. The Revy rods were advertised at 48" in length. Once we cut the reflectors off, they were actually 44 Inches.

If you buy bike flags, or if you have driveway markers without reflectors you may have to scrape off any reflective tape using a sharp knife or paint scraper. Also, cut off any pointy tips or anchoring pegs, trying to save as much rod as possible. If the rods came with vinyl end caps, save these for later use. 
 

 

Note:  Be careful when cutting fiberglass. Take care not to breathe the dust or get it in your eyes. A basic dust mask, and eye protection are a good idea, as well as, gloves to prevent any skin irritation.

 


 

 

Step 2: Cutting the rod pieces:

1.) First cut two rods to 44"-48" in length. In our case we used 44 inch length rods, as once the reflector was cut off, we didn't need to make any further cuts. If you need to cut your rods to length, measure a rod to about 44-48 inches in length, and mark it with a sharpie. Take the rod on a flat surface and use the hacksaw to make a straight cut.  It might be a good idea to use a mitre box if you have one to get the cut straight, and make it easy. Be careful not to let the fibreglass splinter.

2.)Cut one rod to an approximate length of 26 inches in length.

 


Step 3: Gluing the Sword Together:

 

You will need a flat, level  surface. A kitchen table or workbench works well, but don't get glue on it. You may want to lay out about 4 feet of wax paper, or cover the table with a drop cloth to work on.  We used an old piece of drywall. Take the two long rods and lay them down parallel in front of you, next take the third shorter piece (26 inch) rod and place it in the middle of the two rods. Line the two rods up, and measure from the tip of two rods  a distance of approximately 16 1/2 inches and place a mark on each of the two rods with a sharpie. Place the tip of the third rod at this mark. and then lay in the bolt/piece of all thread, so that it is flush against the end of the third rod, and sitting between the two parallel rods on either side. About 1 1/2" should be "inserted" between the two parallel rods and the bolt/all thread should extend beyond the two adjacent rods by about 1"

                    

Figure 1: Lay the rods out straight. three in a row, with the threaded piece inserted on end.
 Sword Figure 2
Figure 2: Rod Tips Together

Plug in your hot glue gun and let it warm up. Now tack the base of the rods together, at the end, across the rods and bolt/all-thread horizontally, also in the middle where the third rod ends, and in the middle of the third rod across the outer two rods. Give these three tack points a moment to dry. Once the glue has dried, pull the two rods together at the tip, and add fourth strip of glue horizontally at the end to tack the tips of the rods in place.

swordfig3.jpg
Figure 3: Tacking the rods together

You will now start to fill in the low spots between the rods with hot glue. You will want to do this in a couple of passes. On your first pass be sure to try and force the glue down into the crack between the rods. After the first pass, check and make sure everything is flat, and not warped in any way, then do your second pass.

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Illustration 5: Fillng The Low Spots

You will also want to put some glue bridges in the foible area of your blade after the rest of the blade has cooled. Be careful, you can warp your blade at this point, keep checking to make sure everything stays flat and true.

putting glue bridges in plave
Put glue bridges in the foible area of the blade

At this point you will want to spread the glue to make sure it lies flat and true. You dont want large lumps of glue, as this will make it hard for the tape to adhere, and will make for an unsightly sword.  To do this, take the side of the nose cone of the hot glue gun and use it to slowly level the glue so the sides of the rapier will be flat.

 

Turn the blade over and repeat these steps on the other side. (Be careful not to warp the blade).

 

Taping the Blade:

At this point we will want to tape the blade. Start by taping with 2 winds of the 1/2 - 3/4"  strapping tape horizontally at these approximate locations.


Apply the strapping tape horizontally

 

 

Now cover the blade lengthwise with the 1/2"-3/4"  strapping tape, with the fibers running lengthwise vertically with the blade. Keep it as smooth as possible. Cover the entire length of the blade on both sides.

Cover the blade lengthwise with strapping tape

Now you are ready to cover the blade with the duct tape, it is easiet to lay the duct tape vertically on the blade. Place it over the top of the fiberglass strapping tape, and wrap it around until the whole blade is covered. The fibers in the ductape should run horizontally on the blade. This will provide a "criss-crossing" of fibers which will be very strong.