Chainmail Part 2 – Multiple Strands
Overview of Changes
The project I did this weekend had a few key differences from my last post. While the silver wire is still copper with a silver-hued coating I also used brass rings. While the last project was a single strand, this project is two strands joined together. And this time I used 18 gauge wire on a 7/16th inch dowel. A much larger dowel than the last project. Finally, I used a bulletin board with tacks to hold key parts of the project as I worked on it.
The Bulletin Board
This made a huge difference. I selected the smallest bulletin board at our local office supply shop and then map tacks and regular thumbtacks. The thumbtacks proved the more useful of the two as they were easier to drive into the board. This allowed me to move them around more readily as the project progressed.
The intended function of the bulletin board was to hold the project in place which it did quite nicely. It also doubled as a flat surface to work on though as I was working from the couch. I’d highly recommend using this method to other people starting out with chainmail.
The Wire Change
18 gauge on the 7/16ths dowel proved easier to work with. I do feel I am getting better but the rings got better closes this project and if felt like the gauge and dowel size both assisted with that. One thing worth noting is metal changes do change the difficulty in bending the wire. The brass took more effort to bend into shape than the copper. This is partially a good thing though in that it will hold its shape better as well.
Joining Two Strands
Once I made two strands I situated them so that their brass rings were roughly even with each other and began the process of joining them together. This required adding a new row of brass rings (the inner rings) facing the same way as the existing rings. Each brass ring joined together four the silver-hued rings (the outer rings). The following video shows the process used.
Conclusion
All of the changes I made worked out well for me, and I felt like the final result was a much more quality piece than I made last time. I feel it is more visually attractive as well am proud of the fact the rings seemed better joined and less likely to slip loose
Next week I’ll be attempting something a bit more complex shape-wise. I’m considering either a circular piece or something with a joint in it. Let me know in the comments if there is something you’d like to see me try!
Shopping List
1. Bulletin Board – You don’t need anything large. This is a smaller cheaper board that still creates a nice work surface.
2. Thumb Tacks – Regular tacks are simple to push in. You don’t need many so these are a smaller pack with a nice clear color that makes it slightly easier to see your work.
The materials needed for regular chainmail can be found in my original post.
