Help with ESB Gauntlets

Abailey1

Hunter
Hi all, I have a set of ESB gauntlets painted with hinges. I have no idea on how to keep the closed. Can anyone give me some ideas on what a good way to keep them closed while being worn? Thanks for the help in advance.
 
I have a set I used rare earth magnets that is ok. But my Jango gaunts have the piece of hinge reversed on the opening side with a piece of hinge pin that can be pulled out to allow the moving side to latch. I like that method much better personally . Look at the cruzer gauntlet hinge tutorial on the jango area to see pics.
 
I have used both methods syllander mentioned. They both work well. The only thing about the hinge pin method is that at really hot or really cold events it could be hard to get the pin into place due to expansion and contraction of the gaunts and hinges. For most events it worked just fine though.
 
Rare earth magnets would be a good way to go. They give you a clean look & will hold very well. Just completed that step last week on my build. Real happy with the results.
 
HONESTLY magnets are sketchy...if they get bumped the release and your gaunt is on the floor....at best its not broken but Ive seen gaunts crack from the drop.
 
Hi,
This is the way i used. If you need more details or pics just let me know.

DSCN7614.jpgDSCN7617.jpg
 
Same here. I did the 'peg and hole' method and they have never ever fallen off. If you do them correctly, you'll never have any issues at all...and they're cake to get on and off
Here's how I did mine -
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Cut the hole a little larger to allow easy passage for the magnet (but not too big)
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Next I matched up my shell halves and marked with a white color pencil on the inside of the upper clam
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Next I attach my magnets inside the upper clams where I marked, with some Loctite Plastix Bonder
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After that I added some plastic spacers to the inside of the lower clams in order to recess the second magnet in order to allow passage for the initial magnet to slide all the way up. That will allow your clam halves to clamp together more tightly. This method is what I like to refer to as my 'peg and slot' method. The second (lower clam) magnet holds the first (upper clam) magnet into the slot while at the same time the first magnet acts as a peg. Since the magnets are holding themselves together inside the hole, there is no way the pieces can slip or slide one way or another until you take them apart (and even then they still want to go back together). Once they're together that's it! They're easy to put on and take off too. Another great benefit is that you can still take the halves apart and work on them without having to tear anything apart!
This will work on just about anything. (I used this method on my RC for the elbows attaching to the forearms and it worked great as well.)...you just have to think about how to apply it and which side will be the slot and which the peg
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Take a look below and it might make more sense when you see the pics
Recessed magnet on the lower clam
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Upper clam with cube magnet gripping tightly - peg and slot baby!!
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Velcro will never hold as well as this magnet method (trust me, I've tried), and magnets never wear out, velcro does. If you do it the magnet way, you'll never have to mess with it again. I replaced my velcro on my gaunts twice before going this route. It's your choice ultimately though. Either way, good luck with it (y)
 
Velcro will never hold as well as this magnet method (trust me, I've tried), and magnets never wear out, velcro does. If you do it the magnet way, you'll never have to mess with it again. I replaced my velcro on my gaunts twice before going this route. It's your choice ultimately though. Either way, good luck with it (y)
Magnets cost at least 10 times more then velcro...
 
Cost of the rare earth magnets I used on my gauntlets was only $11.00 which I don't think is all that expensive. Yes velcro is cheaper but this is a one time cost.
 
i personally dont like magnets because of what F4R said..i tried em, and they did pop open from time to time, so i switched em back to the clip method that StrumFett posted.

That said, the magnet method RKD posted, is pretty smart, and looks like it will work excellent for ABS gaunts. Mine are Fiberglass so i dont have the flexibility to get them to lock like that....but i like it alot and may gfo that route with my wifes Rav gauntlets.
 
Cost of the rare earth magnets I used on my gauntlets was only $11.00 which I don't think is all that expensive. Yes velcro is cheaper but this is a one time cost.

Well depending on how you use your velcro, it will wear out sure, but with the clamshell setup one half of the gaunt it permanant NO hinge. The other is velcro to keep it closed. Which you dont even really need but it keeps things TIGHT. Ill have to take pics when I get a chance. I Do think that RKDs way would be better then other ways Ive seen though. I just would rather do it with out magnets or hinges. Hinges especially though they look like **** to be honest.
 
You're right Dom, the magnets are far more expensive than velcro so it's definitely an investment cost to consider. And Lou, you're also right, I suspect my method would definitely work better for ABS (although I've never tried it personally on 'glass or resin gaunts).
Totally agree with F4R on the hinges though, they're way too obvious and visible when used and really detract from the overall look IMO.
 
My gaunts kept popping open at events from innocent hi fives. They are resin Mow gaunts clasped with magnets. I'm working on new vac formed gauntlets and I plan on using Velcro. It's slim, light, and movie accurate. Although I will pop for the industrial grade stuff...
 
HINGE AND PIN!!!!!
I used a modified Cruzer method. Huge detail with hinge-pin... Buy two sets of hinges per gaunt ~12 bucks at lowes for two sets. One half have friction pinch points and the other half have a clear channel. Use the unpinched halts together so your hinge pin slides in nice and smooth. Most secure, light weight, and stream line way hands down.
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f20/rotj-gauntlets-those-beefy-forearms-49500/
 
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This is all good stuff & depending on the design of your specific gauntlets one option may work better than another.

I was going to go with velcro to begin with but the way I built my gauntlets it would be difficult to use. So I opted to go the magnet route. The upper & lower halves of each of my gauntlets interlock with tabs & grooves. I can press the lower halves into the uppers & they will stay without the magnets. From the outside both halves are flush & sit together. The whip cord housing & the flame thrower housing help locate the lower halves to the uppers. I have tried to knock them apart & have been unable to do so, but time will tell.

I agree about the hinge set up. I had considered the hinge method but thought it would make things heavier & then there would be the exposed hinge. I wanted cleaner look & I would have had to go with a different type of construction.

The clips are good secure method as well & considered but I didn't think I could get my fat fingers inside to press the release.
 
My gaunts kept popping open at events from innocent hi fives. They are resin Mow gaunts clasped with magnets. I'm working on new vac formed gauntlets and I plan on using Velcro. It's slim, light, and movie accurate. Although I will pop for the industrial grade stuff...

^^^^ this
 
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