okie so i'm not exactally a newbie, i've been making chainmaille for bout 4 years, but i think it's still pretty low quality stuff. i make my own rings (coiling wire and cutting it) and was wondering if ayone can give me some tips to make cleaner cuts on the wire. i usually work in 14/16 gauge and just use a pair of weiss clippers (best i've found so far). also, from reading other threads, i think that many of you use the same kind of wire that i do, the fencing wire from home depot. where can you pick up copper/brass in bigger gauges? i can only find it in 18/20 gauge. would anyone be interested in teaching me to make a motorized coiling tool? i kinda have an idea, but am not mechanically inclined.
also, i was looking at theringlord.com, and found many new patterns i have not encountered before. does anyone want to explain how some of them are put together? i can usually figure it out from the pic, but i think i'm lost...
does anyone in the tribe make chainmaille for their sole income? i would like to know about your pricing scale and how/where you market yourself.
thanks for any info you are willing to give me
feel free to email me if you dont want to post on the board:
Destana@excite.com
or if anyone is in colorado, i would love to meet!!
BB&MP thx again
Jhenn
also, i was looking at theringlord.com, and found many new patterns i have not encountered before. does anyone want to explain how some of them are put together? i can usually figure it out from the pic, but i think i'm lost...
does anyone in the tribe make chainmaille for their sole income? i would like to know about your pricing scale and how/where you market yourself.
thanks for any info you are willing to give me
feel free to email me if you dont want to post on the board:
Destana@excite.com
or if anyone is in colorado, i would love to meet!!
BB&MP thx again
Jhenn
posted by:
|
Unsubscribed |
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Thu, April 8, 2004 - 4:35 PMHi Jhenn,
I am truly a newbie, but am learning from a dear friend (and new mommy) Spider from www.spiderchain.com and www.silverweaver.com
She makes her living doing this crazy stuff, is a great teacher, and sells rings.
She is worth shooting an email to, but I don't know how swiftly she'll get back to you just now as she's a month and a half into new mommy-hood.
:)
T
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Thu, April 8, 2004 - 6:35 PMTo cut my rings, I use piano wire cutters. They're a bit more expensive than your average cutters, but they cut cleanly and wear well. Don't bother with fencing wire from a chain store; go to a local hardware store and have them order you some big coils. Local businesses will be more likely to cut you a deal.
I met a machinist a few months ago, and he designed a jig for cutiing coils on a bandsaw. It worked pretty well and made clean cuts, but it takes just as long to cut the coils. It takes a professional-grade saw, but it would be worth it if you planned on amking it your job.
theringlord.com used to have step-by-step instructions for making all of the patterns on the site; I guess they're not up anymore. Try calling the guy and placing the order. If you talk to him, he'll be more likely to send you some photocopies of some different patterns. That's what I did originally.
Good luck.
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Fri, April 9, 2004 - 2:43 AMI'm bad I use the same cutters for guitar strings, "Avation" shears work wonderfully, you can get them in straight, left and right cutting angles, however you are still going to have to file down the pinches on your links.
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Fri, April 9, 2004 - 10:50 AMI have a way to make springs really fast. It involves a drill, a steel rod, and work gloves (and a vice and a jig if you're really wanting to get into it), but my document is on my home computer. I'll try to send it to you from there (if anyone else wants a copy, let me know). I use Weiss cutters too. If they're sharp, you won't have to file them down as much.
As for copper and brass wire, I get mine from here: www.rjleahy.com/ They used to have stainless steel, but I don't see it on their site anymore. It might be a special order thing. Anyway, they're good people, located here in SF. Not sure what their shipping costs are like though.
I'm thinking about making chainmail as part of my income, but I don't know if I'll get to the point where Spiderchain is at. I'm terrified of the business side of it all. She'd be a great resource though. Every time I go to her site, I have those "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" moments.
Good luck! -
-
Unsu...
Re: Newbie Advice?
Tue, April 20, 2004 - 9:13 AMthanks for all the great thoughts everyone :)
sorry i took so long to post, i dont have my own net access...sux really! well, looks like i've got a lot of work to do because i would like to make money doing this...actually i have a local shop who wants me to make some pieces to display/sell in their store. they are letting me keep all the profits too so dats koo!!
does anyone have any tips for a workbench? a friend of mine was going to build me one so i can do the quick way of making rings (thx sandi!!) does anyone have any designs? ideas? suggestions?
finally, i've been trying to make a circular pattern (for bags, headpieces, etc.) and havent gotten it to look right yet. i found a pattern online that is basically a 4-n-1 pattern. u start with 1 ring then the rows go as follows: 6, 6, 12, 12, 18, 18, 24, 24, 30, 30...etc. the idea is to add 6 rings to every other row, equally spaced of course. for some reason, each time i try this, i end up either missing rings somehow, or a wierd-looking pattern. any thoughts on a better way to do this??
thx again everyone
if you are ever in fort collins, colorado, or even somewhere close, drop me a line!!
BB&MP
Jhenn -
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Fri, April 23, 2004 - 10:56 AMYou may find this animation or one of his other pages helpful.
www.chainmail.com/chainmall/cteach2.htm -
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Fri, April 23, 2004 - 10:58 AMScroll down to the coif pattern. -
-
Unsu...
Re: Newbie Advice?
Tue, April 27, 2004 - 9:04 AMoh my goddess!! i get it now thank you SOOOOOOO much!!
-
-
-
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Fri, June 4, 2004 - 9:28 PMIs that the one that does the double-helix spiral? So when you cut the rings they are already open and you only have to close them... that saves so much time (I use that myself) -
-
Unsu...
Re: Newbie Advice?
Wed, June 9, 2004 - 9:19 AMuumm...what's this double helix spiral thingy you speak of?? -
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Thu, June 10, 2004 - 9:41 PMIt's like to spirals wrapped together so when you clip the rings they are open already (you don't have to pry them open... -
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Thu, June 10, 2004 - 9:57 PMThat is the only way to wrap your own rings. -
-
Unsu...
Re: Newbie Advice?
Sat, June 12, 2004 - 12:52 AMhhmm....sounds nice...is it hard to do?? ne pics/directions u can send me?? i can kinda visualize it, but cant actually do it...thx for da help
BB&MP Jhenn -
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Sat, June 12, 2004 - 8:46 AMIt's a spring. Think you are making a tight spring.
-
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Mon, June 14, 2004 - 3:19 PMUh, was this all in response or in question to my post about making quick links?
Yes. Springs. Think springs! Long, tight springs that you cut to make links. I don't think that double helix thing would work. That would involve two wires which would make stretched out links that you'd have to reshape into circles. Too confusing for me.
*;} -
-
This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.Unsu...
Re: Newbie Advice?
Wed, June 16, 2004 - 8:43 AMyes...that was my thought...i know how to make springs...maybe it's the same thing just a different name?? oh well...thx again for all the help my peeps!!
BB&MP
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Tue, July 20, 2004 - 10:12 AMShhh, don't let anyone know I am telling you my secrets. LOL
I find that cutting links is a terrible way of going about it. I actually have front wire cutters that I score each link with. Once you can scored it gently lift the opp side of the link to 'tear' it off. This prevents big divits and burrs from the cutters. You get much higher quality this way, and I acutally guarentee pinchless with my work when using this method. If done proper you can sometimes lose the seam when working with them. A small price to pay.
As for making something motorized to help you coil, I suggest a coffee table. Strange idea I know. But if you put two eyelets under the edge of it and insert your rod there, you can use an power drill then to coil real fast. Just make sure to put something heavy on the table before you start.
The best place I find wire at is a local tractor supply company. I get 14, 16 and 17 guage through them in 1/2 mile spools, only costs about $25.
If you ever have any questions on a pattern let me know, I have taught myself totally though looking at pictures. And if I don't know a pattern (I know 27 right now) I will learn it and then try to help.
I hope I helped out some. Let me know how things go for you.
Bellen -
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Wed, July 28, 2004 - 7:31 PMLOTS of good advice there. I've been shearing rings for about two years now, but I'd love to give scoring a try! -
-
Unsu...
Re: Newbie Advice?
Tue, August 3, 2004 - 10:07 AMi just wanna say thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread!! i think it's just great that so many ppl can share their techniques/secrets/tips in this day and age of "secrecy". you all rawk n if ever in fort collins, CO, or colorado in general...drop me a line, i'd luv to meet ya!!
on another note, has anyone done much work with rubber or PVC chainmaile? i have a friend who wants a piece in PVC n i've seen a few sites that describe how to make the rings, frankly, it sounds WAY easier than using/making metal links!! think i'm gonna try it for him...he's gonna provide supplies, and even make the rings for me!! lol should be an easy job. so any thoughts/suggestions??
THX & Blessed Be my friends -
-
Re: Newbie Advice?
Wed, August 4, 2004 - 3:28 PMI incorporate Nitrile o-rings into my steel ring meshes. It's really easy, and can be a nice effect. It *can* stretch kinda weird, so you'll want to experiment a bit. ;-)
F, H & L,
A
-
-
-
