Chainmaille.

[Adrian_Faythe]

Just needed something new to put in the weapons section, since nobody seems to want to post anything here...

As some of you can probably tell from the link in my sig, I'm working on a site for anyone interested in the centuries-old art of chainmaille. If any of you have comments about your preferred pattern, would like to know more about the art of maille, or are interested in perhaps buying products, feel free to contact me.

I've already given numerous tutorials to random passers-by at Renaissance Faires, and I'd be happy to explain how to weave, the various patterns and materials available in today's world, or even how to build your own rig for making your own rings (for those of you who'd like a time-consuming hobby that produces magnificent works of geometrically-perfect, wearable art).

And yes, I know the sub-pages aren't up yet, I'm a lazy son of a bitch.

[gbu-36]

Id definatly be interested in learning more, Ive tried before but making my own rings was just really tedious for me (Im bad that way ). Right Now Id kill for a replacement chainmail choker (mine was lost at defcon =\)

[Adrian_Faythe]

Eh, I know what you mean; I have the attention span of a jackrabbit...I'm surprised I can even complete a piece, let alone make my own rings. Normally, I buy them pre-cut to save time, or because I'm a lazy asshole, but you can make almost 10 times the amount of rings by cutting them yourself than by buying pre-cut.

My rig is just a crude thing, but it does the job. The entire thing is held together by arc-welding. The base is a simple "+." Literally. Just a four-pronged, rhombus base that holds the main shaft in place. Each prong is about 5 1/2 inches long, 1/2 inch wide.

A small, hollowed-out square tube of metal (actually, the same material as the base prongs) rests in the centre of the "+," about 3-4 inches long and perfectly vertical. I arc-welded a nut whose inner circumference was just slightly larger than the shaft straight to the top of the tube...this is crucial, because it holds the rod steady while you wrap the wire.

The main shaft is just a simple, solid steel rod, about 20 inches long and 3/8" in diametre. You can vary rod sizes for varying ring sizes, but I stick to a uniform, smaller ring because it makes for tighter, more impressive weaves.

At the top of the rod is another piece of hollow metal tubing, welded securely to form a handle. This handle has a hole bored through it about 2/3" from where the handle meets the rod, and the wire is secured by sliding it through this hole and kinking it with a pair of pliers.

Then, all you have to do is feed the wire gradually, turning and pushing with your thumb to make sure there are no gaps between the coils. Imagine a tightly-wound spring.

To make it somewhat more complicated/"effective," I welded a hole through the middle of one of the prong bases, and basically gashed the thing open further down, so that the wire is fed through the bottom. This makes things a bit more difficult to manoeuvre, but it keeps the wire relatively taut and lends perfect, compact symmetry to the rings.

As far as removal, simply cut the wire off at the base, but leave the top attached so that it doesn't slide as much while cutting. Take any basic Dremel-style tool with any blade of your preference (I usually choose Dremel Cut-off Wheel No. 409) and just slowly run down the length of the coil, making sure you watch your fingers...the coil has a nasty tendency to slip. Then, simply cut the top wire off, remove the rod from the base, and tap it vigorously into a basin or bucket. The rings should slide right off.

I'll get some pictures of it up as soon as I find my damn camera.

I'm sure you knew how to make your rings already, gbu, but I felt like explaining how to make an easy-to-use rig without spending more than $10 or so on raw materials. So don't take offense. :D


As far as a choker goes, I do need to get some pictures of people wearing things either I've crafted or they've crafted and make a portfolio of sorts. If you're interested, just contact me via AIM, and I may be able to craft a replacement for you.

(Hah, and this probably answered none of the questions you may have had.)

[Adrian_Faythe]

New shipment of rings arrived a few weeks ago, and I've more or less gotten the proper way to bend 'em without making the re-bent ring uneven, if that makes sense.

16-gauge is my preference, because it's enough of a thickness for even grasping with my pliers (I use flat-headed, smooth types), yet thin enough to bend without exerting too much force (causing springback and subsequent loss of grip, resulting in pattern unevenness or injury).

Got two types. 3/8" acid-etched aluminium, with a pearly-white coating that slowly rubs off with contact to leave a slightly less pearly, more shiny finish. And 7/32" galvanized steel, armour-grade, a slightly matte grey finish that rubs off to a near-stainless appearance.

I've already made a few keychains with the galvy, in a Byzantine pattern, and a wallet chain with the acid-etch, in a Full Persian chain. I'm also making a second maille vest out of the galvy that's literally stab- and slash-proof...I've tested this postulate myself. Pics will be added when I get the chance.