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How to make scale fingers and attach them to a gauntlet shell, the Blankenshield method.


Cut 80 1" squares
of 18 gauge cold
rolled steel
(and 20 1" x 1 1/2" rectangles for thumbs)

Round corners
with grinder and
file off burrs.
Use small vise
grips to hold

Punch four holes
using a mechanical
punch.Uniform
spacing is important

These two spaces
must be the same.

Fabricate an
anvil using a
railroad rail.
Square these edges, A. B, C,
leaving the
fourth edge rounded, D.

Grind a small
dimple into the
top surface, E.

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.
"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.
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.

The front corners will be a bit
awkward and will need a firm tap with the corner of the anvil, tight in the corner of the scale.The scale is then filed smooth and is ready to paint or
polish.

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.
Turn a welding glove inside out
to expose the seams. Discard liner and padding.
Sew one edge of
scale strip to the
exposed seam of
the glove finger.
Insert one
stip of 1/4"
closed cell foam.
And sew down
the other side and
end. Repeat
ten times.
Leaving 1/4" space the tops
of each finger strip are laced
together with twine like shoelaces.
To keep the
tops together.
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.
Drill four
holes.

Two in the
wrist plate
and two in the
last lame.

Fabricate a strap
and buckle and
an hour glass shaped piece of heavy sheepskin.

Rivet through
the strap, pad
and gauntlet
sheel.

The strap and buckle are pulled through the strap slots in the glove. And secured.
Rivet the boot
leather knuckle
flap to the last
lame and trim
excess.
Sew the seam on
each side of the
glove to the
exposed edge of
the strap on each
side of the clamshell.

Rivet the split
cuff of the glove
to the cuff of
the clamshell
in four plates.

Gauntlet is now
ready to paint or
polish.

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