FAQ
Where is SHplates based out of?
The steel city of course...Pittsburgh, P.A.
What is your return policy?
All etched plate sales are final.
Do you accept international orders?
We sure do! If you're willing to pay the shipping... military personnel, you have APOs, you're good to go.
What is the turnaround time on my plate order?
Usually within two weeks. All plates ship USPS Priority mail.
Are SHplates authorized for___________
Short answer: yes.
As for GORUCK's answer: Cadre dependent- but as of right now, the rule is no longer 'just bricks' since the sandbag advent, and every Cadre I have asked has not only said yes- some have wanted a SHplate for themselves or their classes.
For military schools? Depends, ask your schoolhouse- some will want to go by a packing list and some do 'big boy rules' for weight.
Will my SH plate hurt me or my ruck?
no reason it should. As promised, more sales meant more revisions and improvements. We round all edges by grinding them to perfection by hand. This method has been tried and true barebones. None the less- it will still be a heavy plate against cordura or whatever material your pack is made of. Use your judgement.
Old answer: Not if you let it. All SHplates are ran with a metal file before painting and engraving. I would still recommend duct taping it, and I tend to allow a half inch to an inch around the design to accommodate this without creeping into your design.
What is the turnaround on my plate order?
Usually within two weeks. All plates ship USPS Priority mail.
Can you order other size pieces?
Immediate answer: yes, but it will cost you more. I source the steel for the SHplate 1 in lots, which reduces my production cost significantly. I can make you whatever you want for the right price- hit 'Contact,' tell me what you want, and I'll tell you what I would charge.
Better answer: yes with time. The SHplate 1 was by popular demand. If I get enough demand to make ordering another size in particular (hint: 'Contact and tell me!) that might just be the third expansion to the product line.
What can you etch on a plate?
Just about anything. I'll tell you if it's going to take me a long time to etch or won't come out as you may envision, but I've yet to disappoint so far.
I only have one restriction- be cognizant of what is a copyrighted or protected logo. This means no brand names (Nike, GORUCK, etc) or logos. This also applies to 501c3s unless you have their permission. If you have doubt- ask, and I'll square you away
What does "SHPlate" stand for?
Strength and Honor plate. The first SHplate was designed after a buddy of mine, a prior Army Infantryman whom became my close friend after moving to Pittsburgh, gave me a hunk of steel- and I got an idea. Not a few days later, I had etched a plate to honor Todd Harris and Jason House, the two military deaths that have hurt me most. Their memory gives me the strength and honor needed to push through my training.
How do I care for my SHplate?
Plates from November 11th, 2014 onward will receive our new solution that replaces our previous paint with a new coating, nearly eliminating any rusting concern entirely.
Old care guide to prevent rust on older plates:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/s3bz5fsym60xihf/Shplate%20Care%20Guide.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_tdeyF7BJQ&feature=em-upload_owner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xktGtP18sMk&feature=em-upload_owner
Can you make custom things?
Absolutely. We've done everything from wood plaques to steel dicks- literally have done steel dicks.
Want a custom size SHplate? Do the math. We'll combine different sizes of steel and weld them together at a discount.
Want a different size hole? Handle? Email us.
Send an email to SHplate@gmail.com with what you want and we'll give you a quote.
How do I submit a design request for custom plates and patches?
We made a guide! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1u91Ph2HEX0pKNFIm3f_UAk31MNpW0FW1jv9N5FAnIpE/edit#slide=id.p
Question: Are the 18# steel plate a true 18#'s? Or is it a little more or less? Do you make other sizes for instants a 20# or 23# steel plates? I bought a steel plate from another company, and I ordered a 24# plate and it weighs 29#'s more than I need, and it wasn't a true 24#'s like the website said. I have a heavy coming up in June, and they changed the weight requirement for anyone under 150#'s can carry 25#'s dry. A 25# plate would be to much weight, that's why I was asking the questions above. I'm needing to order another plate, I'm concerned the18# might be to light.
Answer:
1. We could cut a size out of a current plate we offer, with the goal and intent being to remove enough weight from a current plate to your goal weight. The cost would depend on plate thickness and shape/size of the cutout.
2. We could weld cutouts (roughly 2# each) onto your plate. This would be cheaper than option 1, however, would make your plate uneven on one side and possibly prohibit fitting into laptop compartments. Another option to add weight is we could weld a cable fly handle (think the one in your gym) to your plate for $30, that adds roughly 3-4#.
3. We could do a one-off steel order from our provider, however, this would likely make your order roughly $100 more than what you anticipated, since steel sourced individually costs substantially more than steel sourced in lots of 10+.