Modelling Police Vehicle Riot Shields - what sort of pipe to use?

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**ArbitorIan**

Hi there. I want to make some of these mesh riot guards for my Arbites vehicles..

I'm intending to make a round-cornered frame out of some sort of pipe/rod, and then cut wire modelling mesh to fill it. My question is - what sort of rod should I use? It needs to be metal, and soft enough for me to bend with some pliers and a vice. It seems like 2mm is a good diameter for scale, but what sort of metal? Aluminium? Brass?

The only thing that seems to pop up on eBay is 3.2mm aluminium arc welding rods, which seem far too big/industrial...

**theocd**

Aluminium seems the best bet, quite malleable but tough. Wickes do quite nice lengths of it. Love the idea, although the idea is to protect Windscreens and Rhinos/Repressors don't really have them. Might look good on a Land Speeder though.

The OC-D

**Flinty**

What about thick gardening/floral wire? e.g. the random link I just pulled our of Google

http://www.easyfloristsupplies.co.uk/wire/aluminium-wire/silver-aluminium-wire/p1611.html

**notprop**

I noticed that the Modelzone shop in lakeside was carrying aluminium tube of similar diameter to the regular brass stuff us wargamers might use.

But the 4D model shop isn't too far from your manor Ian. They carry brass tube from 0.8mm and Ali from 1.6mm.

Brass will be harder to work with but will bend to shape, Ali is easier to cut (i.e.with a knife) but requires you to be more careful if you want to bend it as it will snap if you are not careful.

Or there's plastic tube and a lighter?