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Post by thomtapp on Mar 19, 2013 7:10:58 GMT -6
The book I have on Chain Mail (Maille?) lists various aspect ratios for various weaves. I can't find perfect wire gauge and I.D. combinations in pre-made jump rings online, or in the store to make the ideal weave as listed. I have several questions and thoughts about making the jump rings:
1. In copper - can you simply buy copper wire at the hardware store and make rings out of them? Or is it too soft?
2. Are the aspect ratios really THAT specific? Or to ask another way, how much can you fudge and still get a great result?
3. Do any of you use a Dremel to saw your rings? If so, what is your procedure?
4. When you use flush cutters, do YOU get smooth edges by reversing the cutters and trimming the next edge? What are the best flush cutters to use?
Enough for now. If you have info, please share it with me and the rest of the forum! Your input might really help someone! DE-LURK! <grin>
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Gail
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Post by Gail on Mar 19, 2013 8:25:18 GMT -6
Well, Thom, I was at your stage a few years ago and had many of the same questions. Through experience I have found the AR is simply a guide and doesn't have to be followed exactly. I couldn't afford to buy already cut JRs so I had my husband make a system for me. I work in sterling so waste was a concern as to cost. In the old forum I had a free tutorial on how to build this system, however the tutorial was lost to the nether world when that folded. Attachments:
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Gail
Junior Member
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Post by Gail on Mar 19, 2013 8:33:20 GMT -6
I have been using the system for four years and it is probably the one thing that has allowed me to afford to make chain maille jewelry. I have only used copper once, which I bought from a jewelry supplier. You can use the hardware store copper but it won't be as pure as that from a jewelry store. It will certainly be good for practicing with. Any metal hardens as you work it. Making coils hardens it a bit. Bending/aligning the rings harden it some more. Polishing it in a tumbler hardens it even more. So yes, try the copper. Cutting the rings I originally used a jewelers saw. You can insert a wood dowel into the coil to give support to the rings as you cut them. The flush cutting pliers never gave me a clean, smooth cut.  |
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Post by thomtapp on Mar 19, 2013 8:53:06 GMT -6
Hey thanks folks! I am working up to sterling, but not until I learn more. Right now I'm using silver plated, and copper, and occasionally gold colored wire.
I sure wish you would do another tutorial for that setup Gail... but I'm sure it is time consuming!
Again, thanks! I hope others join in with ideas too!
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Post by MmeMagpie on Mar 19, 2013 9:11:35 GMT -6
I've heard The Ring Lord sells a lot of very specific sizes and weights of jump rings for maille.
potterusa.com makes the Koil Kutter and sells all of the parts separately so you only have to get the pieces that you want.
Thunderbirdsupply.com has excellent prices on several metal wires if you can wait for the super sales.
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Post by nicker on Mar 19, 2013 9:14:51 GMT -6
Copper is copper you can use the stuff at the hardware store. Or better yet ask a electrician for leftover stuff they'd throw out they usually give it away free.
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Post by DawninCal on Mar 19, 2013 21:11:14 GMT -6
I don't do chain maile, so don't use the volume of jump rings that maillers do, but have managed to make very nice rings on a small scale when I need rings. I just wind the wire around stuff I have around the house - nails of different sizes, pens, the handle of my exacto knife, etc. I then cut them with my cutters doing what Thom asked about and then file both ends to make them smooth. The end result are rings that have seams that are very hard to find, but it takes a lot of time and patience to do it this way. I doubt that anyone who needed a lot of rings would want to go this route.  Dawn |
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Gail
Junior Member
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Post by Gail on Mar 20, 2013 8:11:33 GMT -6
Thom's trying to follow the designs and use the recommended aspect ratio so it cold take forever to find the correct item around the house to use for a mandrel. I made (my husband made) all my mandrels but recently found this listing. www.micromark.com/coil-mandrel-set-package-of-8,9559.html Just remember that when you wind coils on a specific sized mandrel, they will always spring open a bit when you take them off the mandrel. After cutting, the rings will be slightly smaller (the width of the cut) so approximations for the AR are OK. |
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Post by thomtapp on Mar 20, 2013 9:29:40 GMT -6
Thanks Gail! That is just what I'm looking for!
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Post by thomtapp on Apr 2, 2013 8:06:15 GMT -6
Great info all around! Thanks for posting it all!
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