Blu:
Thanks for the input about the cement. I'll keep that in mind, as I have not purchased glue yet (leather is still at least two weeks away, unless I find a screaming deal on something local).

Brasilikilt:
That's an interesting notion. I almost picked up the thicker stuff... but most everyone I know of has used 1/2" thick plywood. The leather really ups the strength of the shield... I recall a special that was done on the history channel regarding shield construction. This was from I think the mid 1000s, and rawhide was used as the covering medium. An arrow would destroy the wood used without the covering (I mean split, destroyed... no protective qualities), but when covered with rawhide would stop an arrow dead.
Shields were also disposable, and many warriors apparently carried/owned more than one (coming from the history channel again)

I do have enough wood to make 2 targes. I may take the time to scrounge up enough materials to make two completes... and use one as a working model. See how it would perform and what not.

At the same time, I would expect a shield of any notable thickness to survive mock battles. They might get beat up, but would see nowhere near the amount of abuse the original articles would have. Plus I am also under the impression that modern plywood is more solidly put together than the old targe cores, and therefore wouldn't need to be as thick. I have also read that old targe cores were very much like a primitive plywood: they were layered with the grains at perpendicular angles to each other, and held together with wooden pegs. Sounds a lot like plywood to me.

Then for the sake of absolute accuracy... I would like to learn how to make a period adhesive, as well as smith my own wrought iron handle, hammer out my own boss, and *maybe* get the materials, or borrow a shops press and make my own plywood and peg it together. It would be a very fun process I am sure.