Measuring for demi gaunts

[Cat]

I want to try to make some demi's, but I am confused as to where to take the measurements. I was thinking of having the hand splayed out like they were holding up their hand to indicate the number "5". Then, I was thinking of taking the measurements like pictured below. The red line is the width of the hand at the knuckles. The green line measures the distance from the knuckles to the base of the thumb, and the blue line measures the length.

Here's the pic. This is a view of the back of the hand, and yes I know I forgot to add fingernails.

Thanks,
Cat

[Konstantin the Red]

Fingernails, schmingernails!

If you're uncertain about measurements, you take them anyway and try making a mockup of cereal box cardboard. If it fits satisfactorily and covers what you require, you've got the thing right, and little time spent. (Not wasted!!) If you need something else determined, this exercise will tell you that. Maybe a circumference of the wrist, plus allowance to push the hand into the demigaunt?

(Were you having a dark cloud pass over the radiance of your self-confidence today?)

[Sean Powell]

I'd start with:
Width across knuckles.
Width or circumference of wrist.
Distance from wrist to knuckles.
knuckles to base of thumb joint (when holding a weapon).
wrist to base of thumb joint.

Or do it the easy way: Put on a leather glove. grab a weapon. Have a friend layer tape on the glove. Mark the tape as necessary with a sharpie, cut at the wrist, unpeal and carefully press flat on paper. I'm a big advocate of math for paterning but that one isn't necessary.

Good luck

Sean

[Cat]

Konstantin,
There's always a dark cloud hanging over my self confidence. More than that, really. Sometimes I just get plain scared that I will mess up. It's pathetic, I realize.....

Thanks for the advice guys. This will be for someone else, so I need "long distance" measurements. I also am not sure about how they should be contructed. On most gauntlets I've seen, the area that covers the inside of the index finger and the thumb is usually bent down to follow the curve of the hand there. Wouldn't that keep you from being able to make a fist?

Thanks again!
Cat

[Konstantin the Red]

I'd say school yourself out of that. I know it takes time and there will be dark moments -- at which time vehement swearing is allowed, then take a breather, and resume the task that was giving you such trouble.

Remember how a period of trial and error ends -- with trial and triumph! Write that up on a 3x5 card and post it at your workbench if you need to.

Failures are part of this process. Failures that you draw lessons from are very nearly as valuable as the successes, though considerably less fun and not too salable. But never be afraid to consign a hopless mess to the scrap/recycle heap. As you know, sometimes the bit you trashed can be recycled successfully into something else.

The long distance measurements are important of course, but you may wish to practice by building a mockup for your own hands -- both of them, for the practice. And you may wish also to prototype in steel, again on your own hands -- so as to learn where the oopsies are likely to occur, but not with a commission at stake. Less pressure!