How to make scale fingers and attach them to a gauntlet shell, the Blankenshield method. |
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Cut 80 1" squares of 18 gauge cold rolled steel (and 20 1" x 1 1/2" rectangles for thumbs) |
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Round corners with grinder and file off burrs. Use small vise grips to hold |
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Punch four holes using a mechanical punch.Uniform spacing is important These two spaces |
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Fabricate an Grind a small |
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Lightly "sink"
the scales into the "die" (your dimple). You want it slightly domed and slightly curved from side to side. Some front to back curve is inevitable. Sink the end of the scale away from the holes. |
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"Set" a flange
into the edges with the holes in it. Pound on the edge of the anvil in the same direction as the sinking. Do this only on the one edge as this will go under the next plate. |
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The scale will be
a bit too curved. Front to back and not quite curved enough side to side. Tap down the sides on the edge of the anvil to remedy. |
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The front corners will be a bit |
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Cut a strap of boot leather 1 1/8' wide by as long as you
want each finger. Mark and punch four rows of holes using a tandy diagonal stiching spacer. The inside row of holes will be used to sew the scales to the strap. The outside row of holes will be used to sew the strap to the glove. Starting at the fingertip the first scale is sewn on with heavy carpet thread taking care to leave the holes at the tip exposed enough to sew to. The stiching must go from hole to hole, A, and over the back of the scale, B. Skip one hole and sew on the next scale to cover and so on up the strap. Complete all ten fingers. |
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Turn a welding glove inside out
to expose the seams. Discard liner and padding. |
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Sew one edge of
scale strip to the exposed seam of the glove finger. |
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Insert one
stip of 1/4" closed cell foam. And sew down the other side and end. Repeat ten times. |
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Leaving 1/4" space the tops
of each finger strip are laced together with twine like shoelaces. To keep the tops together. |
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The welding
glove is split up both sides, A. 1" strap holes cut, B. And a 3" strip of boot leather sewn across the knuckles, leave plenty of room on both sides as this will be trimmed. |
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Drill four
holes. Two in the wrist plate and two in the last lame. |
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Fabricate a strap Rivet through |
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The strap and buckle are pulled through the strap slots
in the glove. And secured.
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Rivet the boot
leather knuckle flap to the last lame and trim excess. |
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Sew the seam on
each side of the glove to the exposed edge of the strap on each side of the clamshell. |
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Rivet the split Gauntlet is now |