making chain mail

[Mike182]

hey guys

ive been looking into making my own chain mail jewlrey, and ive been quite successful with making small rings and bracelets, but im failing with making a pair of chain-mail gloves, my problem is i really cannot find a web site or book with detailed instructions on how to make them

does any one on here make chain mail (you do know what chain mail is, dont you?) and if so do you have any references for making gloves

thanking you in advance

C_P

 

[standing_on_one_foot]

http://www.chainmailman.com/tutorial.html

I have some more links, give me a sec to find 'em.

 

[Mike182]

http://www.chainmailman.com/tutorial.html

I have some more links, give me a sec to find 'em.

thanks

i use the basic 4-1 method anyway, i ought to be botherd to do 6-1, but anyway, im not after a tutorial for linking the rings, i just can't make gloves :biglaugh:

but all links are appreciated

C_P

 

[Quoth The Raven]

http://users.adelphia.net/%7Emrstyx/needmaille/projects/glove/index.htm
That's not exactly a pattern, but it gives you an idea. I've got a butchers glove, basically between that and the pictures at the above link it looks like the fingers are a basic straight tube and you close the ends in as you would a coif. There's some minimal shaping at the knuckle area, and the thumb has a triangular gusset section where it joins the main body of the glove.
You could always try posting at http://www.chainmailleboard.com/ for help from people who have done it before, or http://www.mailleartisans.org is a very informative site, also with a message board.
I'm not sure where you're getting your rings from, but I highly reccommend DeCordene Wireworks or www.theringlord.com . I've tried winding coils myself and cutting them, but unless you've got a jewelers saw you'll never get the perfect flush cut finish these guys can.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I can make chain mail armor, but I would have to show you how, as I would have a difficult time explaining it. I can say this, expect just one glove to take many, many days to finish. Plan on much more time if your going to wind and cut your own rings. Where the fingers connect to the hand part can be a bit tricky. I've never made gloves, but I can study the glove at Arbys to get an idea. (We are required to wear chain mail gloves when cleaning the meat slicer so our fingers don't get sliced to very fine shreads)
And your going to want precision tools. A fine saw blade will make the finished product look much better.

 

[Mike182]

thankyou everyone

i will try out all of these in due course - im only using flimsy rings at the moment to get started so i can figure out how to do it (my dyslexia makes it a slow process) but ive got the 4-1 pattern sorted out - so i figured id try for something more complicated

ill look into "theringlord.com for rings if they are as good as you say they are lady_lazarus

thanks again

C_P

 

[kreeden]

i have seen designs for gloves , years ago . Try doing a search on SCA or Society for Creative Anachronism . Or just mail { chain isn't really needed } .

Or you could try these guys out , they have a board .

http://www.armourarchive.org/index.html

 

[Pussyfoot Mouse]

I have never heard of this before, but now that I've checked it out...WOW! There are a lot of beautiful pieces. You must have a lot of patience.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I have never heard of this before, but now that I've checked it out...WOW! There are a lot of beautiful pieces. You must have a lot of patience.

It can someone who is very skilled and experienced at making chain mail armor about 250-300 hours just to make a small sized armor. My first full armor took 350 some hours, and I know one guy who spent well over 400 hours making his first mail.
You start with one ring, link it to another, then another, and so on until you have finished.

 

[Mike182]

It can someone who is very skilled and experienced at making chain mail armor about 250-300 hours just to make a small sized armor. My first full armor took 350 some hours, and I know one guy who spent well over 400 hours making his first mail.
You start with one ring, link it to another, then another, and so on until you have finished.

yep, it just goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, .......... and then you hear what every chainmail maker fears the most, the tiny *clink* sound of a ring falling out of place. many words of the swearing variety are then used to locate the faulty ring

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I've always made chain mail in carpeted areas. That way the "clink" of a falling ring doesn't have any effect at the moment. I just give it a few good looks after I finish.