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How to Make 300 Spartan Vambraces (Armguards) out of Cardboard and Paper Mache

The completed Spartan Vambrace

 

 

This is a nice little project that should take you only about an hour to complete. Although that doesn't include the overnight time to let the paper mache dry. The vambraces come out great and they are pretty durable. The reason why we don't just make them out of cardboard is because you want them to be resilient in their shape so you can get your arms in and out of them and the paper mache works perfectly for this. There is a video tutorial of this project at the bottom of the page if you prefer too watch a video.

 

Can you make the Spartan Gear? You sure can! Here is a picture of Shahar wearing the spartan gear that he made! It's a great costume and my thanks go to him for sending me this picture!! It took him two weeks to make everything and he did a terrific job!

 

I also have some other 300 Spartan equipment projects which currently include a helmet and a spear. I will also be making a shield and the chest plate. The projects are here: Make a Spartan Helmet - Make a Spartan Spear - Make Spartan Leg Guards - Make the Spartan Shield - Make the Spartan Chest Piece

 

 

 

Can you make these Spartan ArmGuards? Sure you can. I have some pictures submitted to the website by a visitor who made them. Check out the pictures here

 

The Materials you will need to do this project:

  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 teaspoon of salt (optional) the salt will keep the paper mache from getting moldy over time
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • A newspaper
  • 1 empty cereal box
  • Scissors
  • Super Glue
  • 6 feet of wire (telephone wire or house wire)
  • Paint
  • Print up two copies of The Template - Get it here It is an image that is 8.5 x 11 and will print up on a single sheet of paper.

 

lay out the template

Print up the template lay it on your cereal box and make two copies. Cut them out. You are printing up two copies of the paper template because you will use them later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roll into tube

After cutting out the cardboard shapes roll them into tubes like in the picture shown. I have only done one here but you will do two (one for each forearm!) Apply tape to keep the tube shape. Take your time and roll it nice and easy so it doesn't buckle or crinkle.

 

 

 

 

 

mix paper mache

Make your paper mache by mixing 1 cup of water and 1 cup of flour. Stir it up real well so it is nice and smooth. Get as many of the lumps out as you can. The smoother the better. Dip strips of newspaper in the paper mache.

 

 

 

 

 

 

apply paper mache to the vambraces

Apply two layers thick of newspaper to the vambraces. A minimum of two coats is required to make them strong and resilient. You can put a third layer if you want to make them stronger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

apply template

This step is optional but it will make your vambraces look much better. (More metallic and smooth) Wipe on a thin coat of paper mache liquid right on the surface of the vambraces then apply your template right to it so it sticks and covers the whole vambrace. Now set them aside to dry over night.

 

 

 

 

 

attach the wires

Using small bits of tape attach the wires to the armguard. Arrange them in the pattern shown. You should measure and pre-cut the wires before trying to attach them and for the pieces at each end you should start and end at the place where you will cut the armguard open.

Once you have them all taped in place you can glue them all down with super glue. Once the glue has dried you are ready to paint them.

 

 

 

Cut with scissors

Once the paint is dry cut right through them with scissors. Do it along the line that you had originally taped the cardboard into a tube. This way you can get your hands in and out. The paper mache will hold it in a nice shape and it will spring tightly back together after your hand is through.

 

 

 

 

 

Completed spartan vambrace

Once the paint is dry you are ready for battle!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have Other 300 Spartan Projects

Spartan Spear

Make a Spartan Spear like the movie 300
This is a fast and easy project that just takes a little bit of cardboard and a broomstick. Make the Spartan Spear

 

 

 

A Spartan Helmet Make a Spartan Helmet
Make this helmet out of paper mache and cardboard. Complete instructions and video, along with a download of the template The Spartan Helmet

 

 

 

 

 

300 Spartan Greaves

Make 300 Spartan Greaves(leg-guards)

A tutorial on how to make paper mache and cardboard greaves that fit well and look good. Just like the ones in the movie 300. Make 300 Spartan Greaves

 

 

 

300 Diorama

300 Diorama - Battle of Thermopylae

I am currently working on a three foot long diorama of the battle of the Spartans inspired by the 300 movie. It is wired for sound and lighting ( A night battle scene will be great) - I have also made it into a tutorial so you can see how I make this big diorama and you can learn how to make your own great looking dioramas. 300 Diorama