while I haven't gotten round to using your design ( even tho I bought the template like 2 years ago) your advice was invaluable in my Nazgul gauntlet build. Thanks for that. I also used some of the wrist peices.
For this field being your arch nemesis, the build's looking great! Even using a template, you're still learning vital lessons about the behaviour and properties of sheet metal just by working with it. And dang man, David's been featured on 3 big channels in the last month. Ride that wave, Dave 🏄♂️
I really appreciate that you include the bits where things don't quite work, it's nice to know that even an experienced craftsman has to learn new techniques for new projects.
Alec, if ever you want to glue paper to metal again, the easiest way to get it off without great inconvenience is a blowtorch. The high temperatures will burn the glue and paper long before any deformation will take place. Love from Germany, I hugely enjoy your videos.
Or forge for bulk+ a more even heat perhaps? Unless it's galvanised, in which case rip Edit:actually probably a poor idea, superglue would release some non trivial amount of Cyanide while burning so probably best avoided
Super Glue (cyanoacrylate) can be softened, if not removed entirely, by soaking it with acetone, and then buffing it with scotch brite. Furthermore, it is possible to use acetone to transfer the lines from the printed paper to the sheet metal.
Heres to you loyal and patient dogo. Youd be surprised how much time we really dont stop to spend on them while creating projects. Enjoy a good friend while they are still young today!
Having seen Alec try new techniques before I fully expect to see a truck turning up very shortly to deliver an industrial laser cutter, a metal turning machine, a complete set of wheels, and an assortment of other tools that I will be convinced need to become an essential part of my life 😂
So uh, Alec... Armouring is really tough to learn without a mentor. There are some phenomenal armourers in the UK - David Hewitt of White Rose Armoury, Kevin Legg of Plessis Armouries, and Graham Ashford of Greenleaf Workshop, just to name a few. Bring one on the show! Greenleaf Workshop has an instructional Armouring channel and needs a signal boost. He's also a super nice guy.
I was /just/ about to suggest White Rose Armoury, they make beautiful work. Next thing we know Alec will end up having Dr. Tobias Capwell on the channel.
ah the mighty hand broom. One of the most versatile tools of every workshop, mandatory for shaping sheet metal. Awesome work. I love how you constantly go out of your comfort zone to hunt for new skills.
Ahhh good old Alec. "I need to learn sheet metal. People want me to make armor. Shall I start with a breastplate? Some greaves? NO! AN ARTICULATED PLATE GAUNTLET!"
Alec! Love the content, especially love you learning new skills. For CA glue (Superglue), Acetone, not alcohol to break it down. Or just good old heat. The glue is just cyanoacrylate, which is just a simple plastic. Heat releases it (machinist's trick), or just burns it away. Spend time on metal work, not frustrating glue clean up. Happy hammering!
Love the build! I know it’s too late now but here are some tips for affixing paper templates and removing them. First using a spray adhesive is much better than super glue. Most spray adhesive have direction for a temporary bonds. It holds well during the cutting but will peal off after with no problem. Elmers has a spray adhesive that works well. The glue can be cleaned up with just a little acetone then. If you need to remove super glued paper either soak in acetone or burn it off with a torch. If burning though make sure to do it outdoors so you don’t breath in the fumes. I’m excited to see this armor making series!
I think Alec is amazing and his creative energy is unparalleled but with that said, I think he would benefit from a mentor. He spends so much extra time exploring and self teaching. He’d probably be the best in the world with a master to guide him.
I'm so happy that you are finally trying you hand at making armor. I'm also glad that you're starting with Guyton's tutorials because I think that's where a lot of people are starting now (myself included). Please continue making armor videos so people can see your development as an armor smith and save themselves years of trial and error.
Alec: My skill working with sheet metal is next to no existant Also Alec: Decides to fix this by making a medieval looking armor which is among the hardest things you can do using sheet metal Lmao
Finally... ARMOR!! Don't say you shouldnt get any credit, even with a guide you still accomplished something you struggle bussed hard with in the past. Those pieces look awesome already and thats not just from a guide, there's skill involved too. Keep up the great work man! Can't wait to see the other gauntlet.... ..... ....and the rest of the Suit...
A trick I use for my wood working. Painters tape the material, painters tape the stencil. Glue the tape together. Once you're done peel it all off. Hope this helps Alec!
i really love how he admits to some of his shortcomings as a craftsman and then takes steps to become even more skilled. like he's way more skilled than i might ever be but he is still finding ways to expand and strengthen his craft
I love that you also get inspiration from a channel that inspired me to start doing things and tinker around with tools. Lovely so far, can't wait to see the rest.
I watch David Guyton's video years ago when I was making a cardboard version of the same gauntlet. Super awesome video and awesome dude for showing us noobies how to template armor.
Hey Alec that looks great! Sorry I think my last comment bugged somehow, but I really liked this video and david's tutorial too. Also there's two small channels that helped me to make my gauntlet: "Garage Knight" and "Greenleaf workshop". Garage Knight is a very small channel but the gauntlet video gave me great tips. Greenleaf workshop is quite small too, but has very detailed tutorial about gothic gauntlet with metal shaping tips. Might want to check it out! Keep doing the great work!
Uhm... for breaking superglue bonds, you can just heat the glue with a hot air gun, or in a forge or something. That will break the glue and the pieces will just come apart
Fantastic video! I finally have something useful to share. I do some sheet metal work as a hobby, my favourite home made tool is the magnetic hold down board I created. You take a wood board, screw on some cheap rectangular magnet tool holding bars and then cover it with a thin sheet of aluminum. You can now take any thin metal part and stick it right on there and grind on it with confidence. Was handy when I made Thor's hammer. Hope you find this useful...and hope it wasn't mentioned in the 1377 comments below that I did not bother to read through!
For getting the paper off I use fire. It produces nasty fumes so do it outside or in a well ventilated space. One of the perks of this is that you can anneal the steel at the same time and make it easier to work with
Hey Alec, you should check out Greenleaf workshop here on YT. You will need to introduce a gentle curve in both directions of the lames in order to establish proper movement without any gaps. /A wearer and sometimes maker of armour since 20 years
Pro tip : gauntlets are designed to fit perfectly when your fist is closed ( around whatever weapon you want to hold ). And your hand changes shape when you close it ( mainly the area of the knuckles nearest to your hand ). Most include a sliding rivet near the pinky which provides some action for the metacarpal plate, the rivet near the index finger on the same plate generally only provides for rotational movement of the same plate. Wrist side to side flexibility was not a major design criteria for originals. Modern reenactors and medieval combat sport enthusiasts ( aka the Eastern European Bashers ) generally do like more wrist movement though.
You seem so much happier now that it’s back to just Alec Steele and that you’re back at home. It’s nice seeing content that I subscribed for 5 years ago
Hello Alec, if you can get 3M products in the UK (I know you can in the States), they make a spray glue that's excellent at sticking paper to metal. And the cool thing about it is a little acetone on a rag, wipe the surface of the paper until it's saturated and the paper easily comes right up, and in one piece without tearing. Just something I've learned about over the years. Take care.
Two of my favorite crafters on UA-cam, hell yea this is fun, kinda want to see Alec do the ironman gauntlet though, or maybe one of the infinity gauntlets
If u need something to put under the armor pieces just a small recommendation. A meat carvers glover could work and it’s relatively cheap compared to other chained gloves
For paper templates, instead of superglue use spray adhesive; spray it ONLY on the paper, then follow the normal instructions of letting it mostly dry until tacky before applying. Most spray adhesives are designed so when only coating one side it'll create a strong but temporary bond and be reasonably easy to remove later.
Hey Alec - I’ve been HUGELY impressed with your work for years since well before you moved! Just wanted to throw one suggestion in… I think (and it’s been about 3 years since I last did it..) soaking your templated parts in acetone will eat the superglue right off in one fell swoop. You can get it easily at fibreglass supply places, numerous places online, and also in aerosol form as ‘foam gun cleaner’. Also - did I miss the one where you introduced your sweet little Malinois looking apprentice..? I’m going to sit back and watch some more now…
I'm so freaking excited!!!!! I want to see you make Armour!!! You're just so skilled at most things and i think you could make something absolutely incredible!!
Hey Alec, little tip if you want to use super glue & remove it. Acetone dissolves it pretty quickly. Very handy to know if you glue your fingers together. Like I may or may not have done a time or two. 😁
Awesome job Alec! I really appreciate you broadening your horizon of skills and taking us with you on that journey. A leather sandbag for shaping might be easier instead of the rubber mat though. Anyway hopefully we'll be seeing Mokume-gane armour making in the near future
Love the fact that you are venturing out into armoring. After this gauntlet is done, how about one with some of that Steele flare made with damascus patterned sheet metal?
Hey Alec, Jewelry making tip for you, use some Elmer's contact cement for gluing the paper templates. It will hold strong enough to cut but will come as incredibly easily when its time to peel off your templates
Lovely to see Alec making some armor at last. Once this is done, I'd love to see you give it a bit of a rough time with some long blade of your choice and then make one for the other hand, but with realistically thick material.
Go to your local fabric store and ask the lady what the recommend goop is for sticking patterns to cloth. It's BY FAR the best stuff for gluing patterns to metal. (also, apply rubber-cement to the paper pattern ONLY to make cleanup a little easier)
If you cut out the template and use it as a mock up by using tacks as rivets it makes it easy to make adjustments before you cut metal. You can use the tack holes on your pattern to mark where your rivet holes should be. In case you ever want to make another one that fits better and less of a hassle to build.
Hey this is awesome and a real honor! Thanks for the shout out sir. Your gauntlet looks amazing!
You two Should colab on A full set of armor
while I haven't gotten round to using your design ( even tho I bought the template like 2 years ago) your advice was invaluable in my Nazgul gauntlet build. Thanks for that. I also used some of the wrist peices.
Hey David! Thanks for being the one who got me started in armor!
Demolition ranch and alec steele, wonder who's next
@@kingarthur7051 Demo ranch? Whut? They had a colab?
Really interesting project. it's worth looking at museum pieces too see just how skillful the old masters were!
And after looking at the pieces from the masters, you will realize how daunting a task it really is and decide to make EVA foam armor instead.
For this field being your arch nemesis, the build's looking great! Even using a template, you're still learning vital lessons about the behaviour and properties of sheet metal just by working with it.
And dang man, David's been featured on 3 big channels in the last month. Ride that wave, Dave 🏄♂️
Once alec is back in the U.S. it'd be cool if you guys did a video together
Was totally coming here for this comment
Demoranch, and what other?
Well well well look whos here its eli 😊
@@FlinnGaidin the other was ZNA Productions
I really appreciate that you include the bits where things don't quite work, it's nice to know that even an experienced craftsman has to learn new techniques for new projects.
Alec, if ever you want to glue paper to metal again, the easiest way to get it off without great inconvenience is a blowtorch. The high temperatures will burn the glue and paper long before any deformation will take place. Love from Germany, I hugely enjoy your videos.
Or forge for bulk+ a more even heat perhaps? Unless it's galvanised, in which case rip
Edit:actually probably a poor idea, superglue would release some non trivial amount of Cyanide while burning so probably best avoided
@@AngDavies superglue does not contain cyanide.
You triggered the internet safety squad. 😱
Acetone bath or mineral spirits for cleaning parts
Super Glue (cyanoacrylate) can be softened, if not removed entirely, by soaking it with acetone, and then buffing it with scotch brite. Furthermore, it is possible to use acetone to transfer the lines from the printed paper to the sheet metal.
Alex printing out UA-cam videos makes me think he’s really my grandma in disguise
All he's missing is a MapQuest to the nearest Costco and some butter scotch sweets.
...few month later Alec making Infinite gauntlet
go and try make whole medieval armor...that would be crazy cool
Heres to you loyal and patient dogo. Youd be surprised how much time we really dont stop to spend on them while creating projects. Enjoy a good friend while they are still young today!
Been hoping you'd make some armour for a good 3 years now haha
Same here. too much weapons not enough armour.
Same
About time my man
I've been waiting 3 years not to be scared by his hair-do. It's arrived too.
Sameee
Oh man, I don't know why it got me so much, but "UA-camgb" had me in tears
“Popular internet site yootoobuhguhbuh” also had me laughing 😂
Having seen Alec try new techniques before I fully expect to see a truck turning up very shortly to deliver an industrial laser cutter, a metal turning machine, a complete set of wheels, and an assortment of other tools that I will be convinced need to become an essential part of my life 😂
Next few projects, making an English wheel and bead roller.
So uh, Alec... Armouring is really tough to learn without a mentor.
There are some phenomenal armourers in the UK - David Hewitt of White Rose Armoury, Kevin Legg of Plessis Armouries, and Graham Ashford of Greenleaf Workshop, just to name a few.
Bring one on the show! Greenleaf Workshop has an instructional Armouring channel and needs a signal boost. He's also a super nice guy.
Greenleaf workshop is great; I’ve been following them for a while.
I was /just/ about to suggest White Rose Armoury, they make beautiful work.
Next thing we know Alec will end up having Dr. Tobias Capwell on the channel.
@@emanueliratliff4263 I mean, he's visiting the wallace collection on the regular...
thank you for this information, very helpful :)
alec steele the serious blacksmith using a broom to bend steel made my day
I miss will.
@@cavemanvi don't we all
I think it was a wire brush. Still funny
Every tool is a hammer.
@@TheWanderfound every tool is a hammer, and some hammers are better than others...
ah the mighty hand broom. One of the most versatile tools of every workshop, mandatory for shaping sheet metal.
Awesome work. I love how you constantly go out of your comfort zone to hunt for new skills.
Looks like Alec could use a hand with that gauntlet.
A-HA A-HA A-HA
Ahhh good old Alec. "I need to learn sheet metal. People want me to make armor. Shall I start with a breastplate? Some greaves? NO! AN ARTICULATED PLATE GAUNTLET!"
Deep end -> *splash*
Alec! Love the content, especially love you learning new skills. For CA glue (Superglue), Acetone, not alcohol to break it down. Or just good old heat. The glue is just cyanoacrylate, which is just a simple plastic. Heat releases it (machinist's trick), or just burns it away. Spend time on metal work, not frustrating glue clean up. Happy hammering!
Love the build! I know it’s too late now but here are some tips for affixing paper templates and removing them. First using a spray adhesive is much better than super glue. Most spray adhesive have direction for a temporary bonds. It holds well during the cutting but will peal off after with no problem. Elmers has a spray adhesive that works well. The glue can be cleaned up with just a little acetone then. If you need to remove super glued paper either soak in acetone or burn it off with a torch. If burning though make sure to do it outdoors so you don’t breath in the fumes. I’m excited to see this armor making series!
Some acetone would of helped remove the super glue pretty quick in my experience. Better the scraping thats for sure.
I think Alec is amazing and his creative energy is unparalleled but with that said, I think he would benefit from a mentor. He spends so much extra time exploring and self teaching. He’d probably be the best in the world with a master to guide him.
I was told there was going to be tin snips. Hah! Great stuff and good to see you consistently getting out of your comfort zone.
A blacksmith, a bladesmith, now trying armor making ... I am so glad that I had subscribed 4 years ago. Keep up the good work man.
Common Sense tip for drilling holes in rounded materials... some doweling and a zip tie is your friend :)
I'm so happy that you are finally trying you hand at making armor. I'm also glad that you're starting with Guyton's tutorials because I think that's where a lot of people are starting now (myself included). Please continue making armor videos so people can see your development as an armor smith and save themselves years of trial and error.
Alec: My skill working with sheet metal is next to no existant
Also Alec: Decides to fix this by making a medieval looking armor which is among the hardest things you can do using sheet metal
Lmao
If only he would use SHEET metal.
Does anyone else not only find these videos informative but the most entertaining on this platform
Alec: Go Subscribe to David Guyton's channel!
Me who has been subscribed to David for multiple years: "Puts on hipster sunglasses"
ha!
Finally... ARMOR!! Don't say you shouldnt get any credit, even with a guide you still accomplished something you struggle bussed hard with in the past. Those pieces look awesome already and thats not just from a guide, there's skill involved too. Keep up the great work man! Can't wait to see the other gauntlet.... ..... ....and the rest of the Suit...
If you want to learn Armour making you should talk to Ilya from That works. He makes such Amazing Armour.
a collab thats been needing to happen for awhile now
Or Terry English
For breaking down super glue, try using acetone. Just be careful, that stuff will get you a lil bit buzzed if you don't have good ventilation.
So excited to see where you go with this! You have to find Greenleaf Workshop on UA-cam, he's one of my favorite armorers :)
A trick I use for my wood working. Painters tape the material, painters tape the stencil. Glue the tape together. Once you're done peel it all off. Hope this helps Alec!
"Make Armor with _Ordinary_ Tools"
Alec: proceeds to use everything expensive he has got, including the powerhammer
i really love how he admits to some of his shortcomings as a craftsman and then takes steps to become even more skilled. like he's way more skilled than i might ever be but he is still finding ways to expand and strengthen his craft
I'm so ready for the 500 episode series of making a full suit of armor.
I love that you also get inspiration from a channel that inspired me to start doing things and tinker around with tools. Lovely so far, can't wait to see the rest.
omg he's finally doing armor
edit: maybe he is making it finally because of Britain's big knife laws
I watch David Guyton's video years ago when I was making a cardboard version of the same gauntlet. Super awesome video and awesome dude for showing us noobies how to template armor.
Alec making a knife:
Me: again
Alec: making armor
Me: REAL SHI-
Alec, superglue comes off with a quick acetone soak. Then remove the residue with a glass cooktop scraper. Works a treat!
Been expecting this project for so long that im a college student already
What I absolutely love is the printed paper with the screenshot of the video, I find it really funny for some reason. Also great work
Hey Alec that looks great! Sorry I think my last comment bugged somehow, but I really liked this video and david's tutorial too. Also there's two small channels that helped me to make my gauntlet: "Garage Knight" and "Greenleaf workshop". Garage Knight is a very small channel but the gauntlet video gave me great tips. Greenleaf workshop is quite small too, but has very detailed tutorial about gothic gauntlet with metal shaping tips. Might want to check it out! Keep doing the great work!
From a production stand point.... that transition 4:19 was OUTSTANDING!!!
My day just became super duper when Alec posted😆😆😆🤩🤩
Alex? Who is that chap then?🤭
@@KISSmyLUVgun my bad, gosh darn typo🤦♀️😂
Can’t wait for the 30-part series on making a Close Helm.
Alec should get Mr. Will Stelter over to jolly old England to hand sand the metal parts for him.
Acetone melts superglue very quickly. Really cool gauntlet!
Uhm... for breaking superglue bonds, you can just heat the glue with a hot air gun, or in a forge or something. That will break the glue and the pieces will just come apart
Fantastic video! I finally have something useful to share. I do some sheet metal work as a hobby, my favourite home made tool is the magnetic hold down board I created. You take a wood board, screw on some cheap rectangular magnet tool holding bars and then cover it with a thin sheet of aluminum. You can now take any thin metal part and stick it right on there and grind on it with confidence. Was handy when I made Thor's hammer. Hope you find this useful...and hope it wasn't mentioned in the 1377 comments below that I did not bother to read through!
Next up on the Alec Steele channel - Alec restores an English Wheel
It's about time this happened! I've wanted to see Alec take on a DJG gauntlet for a long time!
Imagine Alec making a full set of plate armour
The ultimate achievement for a smith :)
Crazy to see how far you've come, really encouraging and amazing to see!
Alec put this out too early in the morning to be playing the drinking game.
That pup was adorable. And congrats on a fine looking gauntlet
He’s such a good blacksmith that he made literal canine feces out of sheet metal
For getting the paper off I use fire. It produces nasty fumes so do it outside or in a well ventilated space. One of the perks of this is that you can anneal the steel at the same time and make it easier to work with
Hi
You are first
@@evanslater6 👌
Green leaf armory is another good place if you want to learn more about intro to armoring. Also this is awesome to watch the start of new skills
Honestly, youtube ads never convince me of anything, but magic spoon legit sounds amazing!
Hey Alec, you should check out Greenleaf workshop here on YT. You will need to introduce a gentle curve in both directions of the lames in order to establish proper movement without any gaps. /A wearer and sometimes maker of armour since 20 years
Ive paused the video right at the start to say this. WOOP! I've been wanting to see you make armour for ages!
Pro tip : gauntlets are designed to fit perfectly when your fist is closed ( around whatever weapon you want to hold ).
And your hand changes shape when you close it ( mainly the area of the knuckles nearest to your hand ). Most include a sliding rivet near the pinky which provides some action for the metacarpal plate, the rivet near the index finger on the same plate generally only provides for rotational movement of the same plate.
Wrist side to side flexibility was not a major design criteria for originals. Modern reenactors and medieval combat sport enthusiasts ( aka the Eastern European Bashers ) generally do like more wrist movement though.
Pro tip, get an upright bandsaw with a steel cutting blade. Makes cutting sheet metal way easier
Yes! Finally!!! Been hoping you would tackle some armor for about 2 years now. Looking good.
You seem so much happier now that it’s back to just Alec Steele and that you’re back at home. It’s nice seeing content that I subscribed for 5 years ago
I love seeing one of my favorite youtubers take inspiration from another one of my favs.
I love spreading out the different projects, keeps us on our toes! KANSAS USA
Hello Alec, if you can get 3M products in the UK (I know you can in the States), they make a spray glue that's excellent at sticking paper to metal. And the cool thing about it is a little acetone on a rag, wipe the surface of the paper until it's saturated and the paper easily comes right up, and in one piece without tearing. Just something I've learned about over the years. Take care.
Two of my favorite crafters on UA-cam, hell yea this is fun, kinda want to see Alec do the ironman gauntlet though, or maybe one of the infinity gauntlets
I am proud of your success going from forge to shaping sheet metal ! !
I've been waiting so many years for you to start making armour! 😃😃😃
If u need something to put under the armor pieces just a small recommendation. A meat carvers glover could work and it’s relatively cheap compared to other chained gloves
For paper templates, instead of superglue use spray adhesive; spray it ONLY on the paper, then follow the normal instructions of letting it mostly dry until tacky before applying. Most spray adhesives are designed so when only coating one side it'll create a strong but temporary bond and be reasonably easy to remove later.
Hey Alec - I’ve been HUGELY impressed with your work for years since well before you moved! Just wanted to throw one suggestion in… I think (and it’s been about 3 years since I last did it..) soaking your templated parts in acetone will eat the superglue right off in one fell swoop. You can get it easily at fibreglass supply places, numerous places online, and also in aerosol form as ‘foam gun cleaner’. Also - did I miss the one where you introduced your sweet little Malinois looking apprentice..? I’m going to sit back and watch some more now…
Wow! Awesome start Alec.
I'm so freaking excited!!!!! I want to see you make Armour!!! You're just so skilled at most things and i think you could make something absolutely incredible!!
Hey Alec, little tip if you want to use super glue & remove it. Acetone dissolves it pretty quickly. Very handy to know if you glue your fingers together. Like I may or may not have done a time or two. 😁
Awesome job Alec! I really appreciate you broadening your horizon of skills and taking us with you on that journey.
A leather sandbag for shaping might be easier instead of the rubber mat though.
Anyway hopefully we'll be seeing Mokume-gane armour making in the near future
Love the fact that you are venturing out into armoring. After this gauntlet is done, how about one with some of that Steele flare made with damascus patterned sheet metal?
YESS!! FINALLY ARMOR SMITHING!! CANT WAIT FOR YOUR SAMURAI ARMOR
I actually made one of these gauntlets 2 years ago. His channel is really cool nice find Alec!
This is my personal interest. Glad to see you increasing your skills!
I just finished one of these a couple weeks ago, this is a really fun and and awesome project all around, good luck!
So cool!
Could always chuck the paper-y glue-y mess in the forge and burn it off. Have hot blued armor!
Finally Alec! Surely lots of us have been waiting for this!
I really like Jamie being a big part of the process.
10:09 I love how a man who has access to many hammers uses a hand brush instead!
I've used his templates. They are very easy to follow and can be done with the tools I had in my garage
Fantastic work mate! Your sheet metalwork has definitely improved tenfold! Keep up the great work!
Hey Alec, Jewelry making tip for you, use some Elmer's contact cement for gluing the paper templates. It will hold strong enough to cut but will come as incredibly easily when its time to peel off your templates
I’m so excited I have been hoping for a dive into something like this.
Lovely to see Alec making some armor at last. Once this is done, I'd love to see you give it a bit of a rough time with some long blade of your choice and then make one for the other hand, but with realistically thick material.
You inspire me to want to learn how to make things with metal sir, keep up the fantastic work!
I would love to see Alec making his own set of medieval armour!
A little tip for glueing paper on metal for your pattern, use paper glue stick! It work well, I’ve used it for years in jewelry making!!
Go to your local fabric store and ask the lady what the recommend goop is for sticking patterns to cloth. It's BY FAR the best stuff for gluing patterns to metal. (also, apply rubber-cement to the paper pattern ONLY to make cleanup a little easier)
If you cut out the template and use it as a mock up by using tacks as rivets it makes it easy to make adjustments before you cut metal. You can use the tack holes on your pattern to mark where your rivet holes should be. In case you ever want to make another one that fits better and less of a hassle to build.
Always use the right tool for the job. Who knew that tool was a shop brush?