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.
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 strip 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 shell.
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.