Chainmaille and Wire

[Allomer]

1) Splitrings are like the rings on a keychain. They loop around twice, with a break between one layer to pass through another ring. Jump rings are single loops, like the ones in a jewellry chain or in chainmaille. Split rings are great for amour/anything strong and itt doesn't require welding. Jump rings may or may not be welded shut (soldered?), depending on the quality of the project.

2) I work in aluminum and stainless steel for clothing, and copper and sterling silver for jewellry. I highly reccomend The Ring Lord for tutorials, forum help, and ordering supplies. Superb products and shipping. biggrin  

[T-kal Thornside]

i usually work wiht Galvy...  

[gemini6184]

A friend of mine used to do his chainmail work at school in between classes. And sometimes during class. Its neat to watch them work. 3nodding  

[Padmasana]

My only issues with galvy and copper is that they'll stain your skin/clothing if you wear them often. I like the look of titanium, but it's a b***h to work with.  

[_rio-san_]

Well, ive never made chain mail but I would LOVE to try it in the future.

Ive mostly worked in sculpture - with wire and steal. Sometimes I like to sauder as well. I took a sculpture class at my university and learned how to weld. It was AMAZING. heart  

[Maki Minakoaino]

i would love to learn how to make mail.....sadly, i don't think having little circles of metal around a baby would be a wise idea..... sweatdrop  

[T-kal Thornside]

well if you can hide the rings and the tools, then you should eb safe and babyproofed, but you'de have to nopt mind being away from it for a while.  

[Yugure no Tasogare]

I'm gonna be getting started with making stuff hopefully later this week! I ordered an aluminum kit from The Ring Lord.

any ideas on which weave is a good starter?  

[Iyou]

I've done a little work with making chainmail, and I'd say that a basic four-on-one is definitely a good weave to learn. It's used for, like, everything.

Anyone have any good, quick ways of making rings? I used to wrap wire around a dowel rod about twenty times, and then go at cutting them off with a hacksaw... which took forever. Later I attempted to use a dremel tool to cut them more quickly, but that actually broke the dremel bit I was using! eek Maybe my wire was too thick... I can't remember how big the gauge was anymore, since it was at least a year ago.  

[Yugure no Tasogare]

well.... with the ring cutting, I think they have a few tutorials on MailleArtisan.org  

[Yugure no Tasogare]

yay! I started making stuff with chain maille! I'm hooked.... probably gonna run outta rings in a few days, lol  

[Iyou]

Cool! whee Post some pictures of your work if you can, I'd love to see it!  

[T-kal Thornside]

If your tryign to make rings, wrap the coils and cut them with some aviation snips.  

[Yugure no Tasogare]

I have three bracelets done so far
Bracelet 1- made with 14 gauge anodized aluminum in the coyote weave, it's my first bracelet ever and I'm proud of it ^^
Bracelet 2- same materials as the first, same weave, just different colors. made for one of the younger campers at camp as part of a bracelet trade.
Bracelet 3 my third bracelet, and second weave. It's flowers in cages, but I call it roses in cages because of the coloring. it was made for a friend and she loved it.  

[Kitanya_Rose]

Yugure no Tasogare

I have three bracelets done so far
Bracelet 1- made with 14 gauge anodized aluminum in the coyote weave, it's my first bracelet ever and I'm proud of it ^^
Bracelet 2- same materials as the first, same weave, just different colors. made for one of the younger campers at camp as part of a bracelet trade.
Bracelet 3 my third bracelet, and second weave. It's flowers in cages, but I call it roses in cages because of the coloring. it was made for a friend and she loved it.

Those are lovely! Your color choices are really nice... *nods* It looks like they took a while. good job on them smile