Hey everyone! I'm planning to create a Viking shield for a LARP event and I'm not really experienced with woodworking. I want to save some money since buying one can cost over $300; I'm aiming to make it for about $100. I need a wooden circle that's 36 inches in diameter, but all I have is a small saw from a multitool. Does anyone know if stores like Home Depot or Lowe's would cut it for me, or would I be stuck doing it by hand? Thanks in advance!
6 Answers
If you don’t have any tools, it might be tough to make it for $100 without extra help. For a simple plywood circle, you might find it doable on a budget. But if you want a legit Viking shield with hardwood, you’ll need to get some tools or pay someone to do it. Check out local maker spaces—they often let you use tools for a small fee or a trade, like a six-pack!
Check out your local hardware store; they often have pre-cut plywood circles available. Craft stores might have them too. It's a lot easier than trying to cut it yourself if you’re not comfortable with the tools.
To make it yourself, just put a screw in the board's center, tie a piece of string about 18" long, and attach a pencil to the end. Use that to draw your circle! Then, simply cut along the line with your jigsaw. Don’t forget to sand the edges afterward!
I remember getting a pre-cut wooden circle from a big box store a while back, and it seems they still have them. Check out this link to Home Depot: [Pre-cut Wooden Circle](https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-36-in-x-3-ft-Pine-Edge-Glued-Panel-Round-Board-ZPRLR0136/205024634). If they don't have that, you could also buy a larger panel and cut it manually. Just be prepared for it not to look perfect; that raw look might fit the LARP aesthetic anyway!
You might want to reach out in your local Facebook groups or ask around among friends to find someone with a jigsaw who could help you out. It shouldn’t be too hard to find someone willing to cut it for you!
Grab a 4'x4' sheet of 3/4" plywood! Don't scrimp on quality; you'll want it sturdy for blocking hits. You can get a jigsaw, a nail, and some string to draw your circle. Here's a quick method: put the nail in the center of your board, loop your string over it, measure out 18" for your radius, and draw your circle with a pencil. Then, just cut it out with the jigsaw. Sand the edges, and attach some straps on the back. Super simple!