Hi Alex,

Here's a few tips to help... I've been using this type of glove for years (and many other people been using this for a very long time before Stew Parkinson even started playing). They were first used in WA about 1987 and many of the Australian team used them in the 1988 world champs in Holland.

A cotton dusting glove is very good for a 'competition' glove however is quite flimsy and has two main problems. First it takes longer to make a decent glove as it loses it shape easier and you have to keep it on your hand a lot longer. Second, the cotton will rot and the glove will begin to fall apart sooner because it doesn't have as much latex as a thicker glove.

A thicker polyester/cotton blend glove is easier and more durable, but in the first month or so, it is less flexible and takes a little time to wear in. After this you have a very good general purpose glove for training and general use. If you make a competition glove for worlds or nationals, you may choose to put a little less padding on it to make it lighter and faster.

To get a good coating on the glove and to get a good 'shape' coat your hand in baby (mineral) oil or 'Sorbolene'. Put the glove on your hand and dip into latex. You can use your other hand to force the latex into the fabric or use a cheap paintbrush to help.

Form a skin by drying slightly with a hair dryer whilst holding your stick, occasionally slip the stick out of your hand but still keeping the general "hanging onto your stick" shape of your hand.

Add more layers using the paintbrush. Be patient and add several thinner layers rather than a couple of very thick layers - you will get a much better result.

Once you're happy that you've got a gove that is a good general shape and fit, keep your hand in the gripping shape and begin to add layers of padding by applying latex from a syringe (the best syringe is one available from sports stores to inject a latex/rubber solution into soccer/footballs when the bladder has a puncture. The syringe is usually red and the plunger is white. These tend to be better than the medical syringes. Obviously just squirt out the origina liquid that was in it when you bought it and clean it out before using).

As with the initial latex, add the padding latex in small amounts and quickly skin (dry) with a hair dryer before adding more. If unsure where to apply your padding draw on your glove first where you want to apply the padding. Keep drying and drying. When you think it is dry enough to take your hand out, dry it some more. Then, very, very gently slip your hand out of the glove without stretching the latex/glove.

You should end up with a glove that stays in the shape of your hand whilst holding your stick.

You can add food colouring or latex paint tints to the initial latex.

The latex is called "mould latex" and is available in larger quantities from places such as RLH Polymers ( http://www.rlapolymers.com.au/index.html ) or similar polymer/adhesive companies. You will find this is generally much, much cheaper than from craft shops. Sometimes they will also mix it in thin, medium or thick viscosities.

Also note that do not leave it more than approx 8 hours between layers (if you decide to have a break and fall alseep or something) as the next layer of latex will probably not adhere to the previous layer. It may appear to, but will later begin to de-laminate when using it. Lastly, do not use the glove for at least 2 - 3 days after making it. The latex must 'cure' by drying for a couple of days or else it will once again begin to fall apart when using it in the water. The first time you put it in the water it will probably change colour from when you originally made it and it will go back and forward between getting lighter and darker over time depending on if it is very, very dry or is wet etc.

Sorry, this started out as a quick note, but turned into something much longer. Hope it helps.

Kelly