I finally took the time to make a pair of hourglass gauntlets (In preparation for Gulf Wars). Throughout the process I learned a good deal. First: Don't try using a needle to stitch though pre-drilled holes in steel unless you have large holes, or a very narrow needle. A better alternative is to punch holes in the leather lining and just thread the sinew through both by hand. Second: Check the alignment of the metacarpal plate with that of the hourglass cuff often during the welding process. Third: If you decide to roll the cuff edges, consider doing it with the steel in a flattened state. It is hard to get completed accurately once the hourglass is formed and welded in place. Fourth: If you roll the cuffs before shaping the hourglass cuff, be ready to have some difficulty shaping the piece. The rolled edge increases the strength of the cuff and is harder to manipulate. Fifth: A 2 inch drum sander is your best friend in cleaning up welds inside the gauntlet. Mainly around the wrist opening. Sixth / First: Why two firsts? Sixth is the order I figured it out, First is when I would like to have known... It is best to use your pattern to mark out the liner. It took me a while to get one together for the right hand gauntlet, via trial and error. Having a precut / patterned liner made the lefthanded gauntlet a much easier construction process. So, here they are! I plan to use them as dimi-gauntlets for SCA Armoured combat & as finger gauntlets for Cut & Thrust. (1 1/2 inch X 1 inch Finger Lames will be sewn directly to gloves for C&T use.)     
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