Have you ever wanted to be able to punch through a brick wall? Well you probably can. All you need is a pair of heavy-duty gauntlets to add some weight and focus all the force to a narrow point. It is like wearing a sledge hammer on each arm.
This project was inspired by Instructables user NightHawkInLight. I saw his project “How to Punch Through Concrete” and I just had to build my own version. So I would like to thank NightHawkInLight and recommend that you check out some of his projects.
The first step is cutting the 2×4 into pieces that are the appropriate length. I based these measurements on the size of my hand and arm. You may need to make some minor changes to fit your hand.
The gauntlet is made from four pieces of 2×4 lumber with the following dimensions: One 11 1/4″ long piece; two 5″ long pieces; and one 6 1/2″ long piece.
The 11 1/4″ piece forms the arm brace and the hinge mount. The two 5″ long pieces are attached to the sides and are used to mount the handle. The 6 1/2″ piece mounts to the front side to cover the hand and helps to hold the other pieces together.
Next we need to drill holes in the boards so that they can be bolted together. All these holes need to be straight for the pieces to fit together properly, so I highly recommend using a drill press if you have access to one.
The first hole is spaced 2 3/8″ from the front of the board. The second hole is spaced 4 1/8″ from the front of the board.
On the wide side of the 11 1/4″ piece, drill two 3/8″ holes through the board. The first hole is spaced 3 1/4″ from the front of the board. The second hole should match the position of the second hole on the hinge. Then go back and use a 3/4″ bit to bore out the holes just enough so that the heads of the 3/8″ bolts will be flush with the surface of the board when they are installed.
On the wide side of the 5″ pieces, you need to drill two 1/4″ holes and one 1/2″ hole. The 1/4″ holes should be spaced 3/4″ from one end of the board and 1 3/4″ apart. The 1/2″ hole should be centered and 3 1/2″ from the end of the board (or about 2 3/4″ below the 1/4″ holes).
We are ready to begin assembling the gauntlets. Start by sliding a washer onto each of the two 1/4″ bolts. Now insert them through 1/4″ holes on one of the 5″ board. Next, push the bolts through the 1/4″ holes on the 11 1/4″ board. This may take some force if the holes are not perfectly lined up. Lastly, push the bolts through the other 5″ board. Insert a second washer onto each board and tighten them in place with a pair of 1/4″ nuts.
We are going to attach the 6 1/2″ board with wood screws. To ensure that the board will line up properly with no gaps, I drilled pilot holes for each screw.
First I took the 6 1/2″ board and drilled 3/32″ holes in each corner. These holes should be about 3/4″ from each side. Then I clamped this board to the front of the two 5″ boards. The holes in the 6 1/2″ board will be used as a template for drilling the guide holes in the 5″ boards. Redrill each hole and drill into the 5″ board as far as your drill bit will allow. With the boards still clamped in place screw a wood screw into each hole.
For extra security, I used a second set of screws to attach the 6 1/2″ board to the 11 1/4″ board. I drilled 3/32″ pilot holes through the top of the 11 1/4″ board and into the top of the 6 1/2″. These should be 3/4″ from the front and sides of the 11 1/4″ board. Then I screwed a wood screw through each hole.
Insert the 3/8″ bolts through the bottom side of the 11 1/4″ board. Then slide on one side of the strap hinge. Add washers onto the bolts until you are able to close the hinge and have the two plates parallel to each other. I used 8 washers on each bolt. Then close the hinge so that the bolts are going through both sides of the hinge with the washers in between them. Secure everything in place by tightening a nut onto the end of each bolt.
To help avoid bruising and scratching my arm, I added a small foam pad to the inside of the gauntlet. I just cut a strip of foam that was 3 1/2″ wide and glued it to the bottom side of the 11 1/4″ board. Be sure to use a glue that will not damage the foam.
Now we need to attach the 1/2″ bolt that will act as a handle. Insert the 1/2″ bolt through the 1/2″ holes on the two 5″ boards, then screw the 1/2″ nut onto the end. Don’t tighten it too much or you will deform the side pieces.
Pick up the gauntlet by the handle and see how it feels. If you would like the handle to be wider, you can put a 3 1/2″ long piece of PVC pipe around the bolt between the two side boards.
The last part that we need to add is the arm strap. This will help to secure the gauntlet to your arm. For this, I used an old belt.
First, I added a hole to the strap of the belt so that it could be tightened around my arm. Loosely wrap the belt around your arm and see where the bar (or prong) lines up. Use a punch, a nail, or a drill bit to make a new hole at this location. Then, a few inches past this spot, cut off the rest of the belt.
We are going to attach the belt to the 11 1/4″ board with a pair of screws. Drill two pilot holes about 3/4″ from either side of the board, then make holes in the belt to match the holes in the board. Lastly, screw two 1″ long wood screws through the belt and into the board.
Now your gauntlets are complete and you are ready to punch through bricks like the Hulk. When finished, these gauntlets weigh about 7 pounds (3.2 kilograms) each. It is like having a sledge hammer on the end of your arm.
It’s time to try it out. Make two small stacks of bricks that will act as supports. Then place the target brick across the gap between them.
Stand over the brick and line up your shot. You want to hit the brick in the center. Go through the motion of punching the brick at few times. Make sure that your body (especially your back) is lined up in way that you will not hurt yourself.
When you are ready, bring down your gauntlet and smash the brick. It may also help if you yell something ridiculous like “HULK SMASH!!!” This is a lot of fun. I highly recommend it.
