Those all look really awesome. Chainmail is one of those things I've looked into doing because having some things would be really cool (I'd love that dice bag), but I just don't have the time for another hobby.
The Chainmaille thread
- Thread starter Coppercloud
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Necro bump. Finally decided to get into this hobby that I've been on the fence about for (looks at previous post) 4 years now.
Have some links in the mail from amazon that should be here tomorrow. I'll post whatever I make here (they are all silver for now so no fancy color ones through I'm sure if I enjoy it I'll get those later)
Have some links in the mail from amazon that should be here tomorrow. I'll post whatever I make here (they are all silver for now so no fancy color ones through I'm sure if I enjoy it I'll get those later)
I bought these so 16g 5/16 aluminum rings also bought this through mostly for the pliers. I plan on starting with some bracelets and was looking at a persian 6 in 1 which from watching a couple videos on it looked easy enough.
Might make a dicebag at some point (probably buy some more colors if I do that)
Starting small with an end goal in mind since I tend to get distracted otherwise.
Might make a dicebag at some point (probably buy some more colors if I do that)
Starting small with an end goal in mind since I tend to get distracted otherwise.
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Not bad for a first nights work if I do say. Took a bit to figure out the "trick" to the weave but nice and easy once I figured that out.
Got a few colors and made another bracelet for myself.
I've also made a couple dice bags and jelly cubes for my kids.
I've also made a couple dice bags and jelly cubes for my kids.
I made myself a dragonback bracelet recently. Need to figure out how to make dragonscale next but I'm currently making myself a dice bag (I'm a work so no picture)
I am attempting a pattern with the red "growing" each row but I'm not super liking it so might take it apart and do something different.
After looking up a guide on dragonscale (which is different from persian dragonscale) I remembered why I hadn't made it. I only have the single ring size still.
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More bracelets
I made 3 of the wider ones and ended up giving them all away to friends/family.
I've since had other people inquire about buying some which has led me to making a google sheet that breaks down the cost per bracelet.
Need to figure out a better shipping method (the 2 I shipped I just used a priority envelope and it was 10$ each).
But I'll probably make some to sell if for no other reason than to have an excuse to buy more colors
I made 3 of the wider ones and ended up giving them all away to friends/family.
I've since had other people inquire about buying some which has led me to making a google sheet that breaks down the cost per bracelet.
Need to figure out a better shipping method (the 2 I shipped I just used a priority envelope and it was 10$ each).
But I'll probably make some to sell if for no other reason than to have an excuse to buy more colors
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So I got a couple chainmail "kits" from chainmail joe for xmas
https://chainmailjoe.com/products/c...l-book-23-000-ringsover-4-pounds-clasps-toolshttps://chainmailjoe.com/products/chainmail-joe-multi-color-multi-weave-kit1
First time I've had varying sizes (all my other stuff is 16G 5/16) and I have to say 18G is so small.
That said I've been "struggling" to come up with a project.
I've promised someone a transpride bracelet before pride so I have that but I want to see if I can find "plastic" white rings for the center so I can make a fully closed bracelet but despite having seen them so often on amazon prior to xmas I can't for the life of me find them now.
https://chainmailjoe.com/products/c...l-book-23-000-ringsover-4-pounds-clasps-toolshttps://chainmailjoe.com/products/chainmail-joe-multi-color-multi-weave-kit1
First time I've had varying sizes (all my other stuff is 16G 5/16) and I have to say 18G is so small.
That said I've been "struggling" to come up with a project.
I've promised someone a transpride bracelet before pride so I have that but I want to see if I can find "plastic" white rings for the center so I can make a fully closed bracelet but despite having seen them so often on amazon prior to xmas I can't for the life of me find them now.
I've already run into a few times where the 16GA rings snapped while I was making something. I'm worried that the 18GA ones are going to just break while I'm working with them. That said I think I'm going to attempt to make a keychain out of the 18GA colored ones.
Thanks for the link to the rubber rings those are more what I want. Something I can use as a base so I can have a stretchy bracelet since the magnetic clasps don't hold up as well as I'd like
yeah I've made and unmade a bunch of things and it isn't a regular occurrence maybe 10 rings over the last couple years. I've chalked it up to reusing rings cause I took something apart and just put them back in or just a weak ring.
The ones I have came from amazon but they are labeled as chainmail joe which from what I've read online is a quality supplier.
After working with the 18G more I don't find it as annoying as I originally did. I think part of my issue may be that the rings are at the low end of the AR for the weaves I'm attempting to do.
So for my next project I'm going to attempt to make a chainmail turtle.
My current thoughts (and I need to test it out) is to do either Japanese 12 in 2 or 8 in 2 as the "shell" (twice top and bottom) and right now I'm thinking full Persian around the shell (the edge). Then I have some scales for the flippers and I haven't figure out what to do for the head yet but I think several weaves could work for a head.
I've been reading up on "chainmail basket weaving" to get some ideas and kind of figure it out in my head
Once I have something worked out (I'll probably do it in phases since I don't have the colors I want currently) I'll post updates
My current thoughts (and I need to test it out) is to do either Japanese 12 in 2 or 8 in 2 as the "shell" (twice top and bottom) and right now I'm thinking full Persian around the shell (the edge). Then I have some scales for the flippers and I haven't figure out what to do for the head yet but I think several weaves could work for a head.
I've been reading up on "chainmail basket weaving" to get some ideas and kind of figure it out in my head
Once I have something worked out (I'll probably do it in phases since I don't have the colors I want currently) I'll post updates
I've been using some thing like these (the exact ones are no longer on amazon) and while they mostly work they aren't the strongest and recently I've run into an issue where whatever is holding the magnets in the clasp is failing on some of them so it ends up opening due to that.
You weren't kidding on that being mind bending. I took an attempt at it (several actually) and couldn't figure it out. I'll probably give it another few attempts and then just go back to my plan of 12 in 2
yeah I was looking through the guides on the maile artisan page and now looking for some youtube videos on it.
I took a break from trying to figure out Moorish Rose to make a couple bracelets for family and play with Rubber rings (the white is rubber and just stretchy enough to not need a clasp)
So I ended up giving up on moorish rose while it looks amazing I just couldn't get it to work.
Ended up using Japanese 12 in 2 for the shell/head, full Persian for around the shell, and then scale for the flippers and tail. I think it turned out pretty well. Not 100% in love with the head (I think it looks goofy) but I can't think of a better way to make the head or how to fix it.
Ended up using Japanese 12 in 2 for the shell/head, full Persian for around the shell, and then scale for the flippers and tail. I think it turned out pretty well. Not 100% in love with the head (I think it looks goofy) but I can't think of a better way to make the head or how to fix it.
So need some guidelines / tips since I'm now venturing into attempting to make chainmaille earrings and having never had my ears pierced. How heavy is too heavy? I know it will vary by the person so I'm just looking for general idea.
Decided I didn't like the silver hooks so going to replace them with black once they get delivered
I normally do them when stuck on work meetings ;-)
If I had to guess probably like an hour or 2 for a pair. If I have the design in place I can do it with all the little rings closed which makes it much faster.
Okay back to posting with a question.
Is there any good "bundles" that aren't crazy expensive but provide a decent amount of colors (all in one size) or sizes (preferably all in one color). I want to make more things but it is like ~$30 for a single size/color from the places I normally buy and honestly I don't need a 1/2lb of links in every color / size I want.
Is there any good "bundles" that aren't crazy expensive but provide a decent amount of colors (all in one size) or sizes (preferably all in one color). I want to make more things but it is like ~$30 for a single size/color from the places I normally buy and honestly I don't need a 1/2lb of links in every color / size I want.
Most of my rings are 16SWG 5/6" through I do have some smaller 18SWG 3/16" ones (someone got me a "kit" for xmas)
I haven't moved into making my own rings (I've looked up how) mainly cause I would want all the colors and that just expounds the cost.
Over the weekend I made myself a new fidgit / paper weight. It is a 5x5x5 jelly cube.
Been awhile since I made a jelly cube so took a bit to get started (I had made my kids 3x3x3 ones when I first started doing chainmail)
I don't think I'd make another one that large since it takes a ton of links (over 1000 total) and with no real use for it.
Been awhile since I made a jelly cube so took a bit to get started (I had made my kids 3x3x3 ones when I first started doing chainmail)
I don't think I'd make another one that large since it takes a ton of links (over 1000 total) and with no real use for it.
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Has anyone ever made a smartwatch band? I'm thinking of attempting it (assuming I can find a connector)
I have an idea for the weave but I'd have to buy some more rubber links (I only have white currently) because I'd want it to be stretchy enough that I could just slip it on/off when needed.
I have an idea for the weave but I'd have to buy some more rubber links (I only have white currently) because I'd want it to be stretchy enough that I could just slip it on/off when needed.
Does anyone have any experience making their own jump rings?
I've been looking at it recently and I believe I can get everything needed for most IDs for ~50$ including a jewelry saw. Then it looks like you can buy "bundles" of aluminum wire in various colors / gauges on amazon for like 20$ (25 colors 10 meters each).
My main stopping point before was having to color the wires and not wanting to set up that step. But since it seems you can buy wire pre-colored I think it would save money in the long run. But then I get back to the point of what am I trying to make with chainmail since the wife doesn't like bracelets/necklaces and is still wearing studs from having her ears re-pierced after kids (they liked to grab them).
I guess I'm just trying to convince myself to bite the bullet and spend the initial $$
I've been looking at it recently and I believe I can get everything needed for most IDs for ~50$ including a jewelry saw. Then it looks like you can buy "bundles" of aluminum wire in various colors / gauges on amazon for like 20$ (25 colors 10 meters each).
My main stopping point before was having to color the wires and not wanting to set up that step. But since it seems you can buy wire pre-colored I think it would save money in the long run. But then I get back to the point of what am I trying to make with chainmail since the wife doesn't like bracelets/necklaces and is still wearing studs from having her ears re-pierced after kids (they liked to grab them).
I guess I'm just trying to convince myself to bite the bullet and spend the initial $$
I know it has been months but the reason I'm looking into making them is I think once the initial outlay has been spent I should be able to make the rings at least as cheaply while still having more control over sizing. I find myself wanting to try more "complex" weaves that require multiple sizes which yes I could just buy them all from ring lord (or chainmail joe) but I'd need to buy a larger order than I might need at the time vs quickly making up a bunch to try out a weave
So I finally gave in after looking at various different options and bought a winder and jewelers saw. I also bought 25 rolls of 18g Aluminum wire as well but of course those haven't been delivered yet.
They should be here this weekend and then I can figure out what I want to make. Decided to go for the pre-colored wire so I don't need to start a whole other hobby for coloring them. I will most likely need to figure out some type of cutting jig but I have some scrap wood and a decent idea of what it should be (I think). I'll post some pics once I get it figured out.
They should be here this weekend and then I can figure out what I want to make. Decided to go for the pre-colored wire so I don't need to start a whole other hobby for coloring them. I will most likely need to figure out some type of cutting jig but I have some scrap wood and a decent idea of what it should be (I think). I'll post some pics once I get it figured out.
So I got this and I was right I need to figure out a jig. Between work and the damn snow we have been getting I haven't had a chance to figure that out.
I've cut a few "test" runs and yeah I need a jig to hold the coil in place while I cut. Hopefully can get something going this weekend.
yeah I've been running into an issue where the coil doesn't stay coiled when I attempt to cut them. I have some ideas on how to solve this issue but life has got in the way so I haven't had a chance to test it more.
I got metal winding dowels that have a hole in them so I can wind fine it is just when I go to cut it they don't stay coiled and I don't want to try cutting while still on the dowel since I don't want to damage the dowel. I've had some house projects taking priority so haven't had a chance to really play around but I have an idea how to "fix" the issue
So I ended up buying a "cutting jig" that I'm hoping will work combined with a bench press to keep the coil together so I can cut it but house projects have prevented me trying.
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