Anyone here do any sort of metalwork or working with chainmail for a hobby?

[Fassa Albrecht]

I've always had a decent interest in any sort of metalwork for a long time, anything from beaten copper to woven wire stuff. More recently I've become interested in learning to make chainmail. I'm actually thinking of making a full set of chainmail armor for my RPG gaming.

I'm wondering if anyone on else on here does anything similar?

[Selta]

Chainmail is "easy" to make if you just make rings and bind them together, like 4-in-1. If you plan on riveting them, it's a bit more, and if you want flattened, even harder to do still. Overall it's time consuming, though. I'd also recommend putting some sort of coating on it, such as Zinc, to protect it once you're done - mostly if you go with a steel/copper/brass. If you just go AL, you'll be OK.
Otherwise, if you're going to be doing plate armor or anything, good luck.
I've made a few suits of mail, coif, chest pieces and arm pieces, as well as pieces of chain on hardened leather. It's fun, though attention to detail and dedication is necessary. I don't recommend starting off with riveted or flattened metal... just either buy or make rings and start looping. I make my own rings, and there's a TON of information out there on how to do it 100% D.I.Y., but a lot of people also buy per-made rings and just loop them together themselves.

[Fassa Albrecht]

From what I can tell, making rings is the best option, as it means you can make them to any size you need and any shape without too much hassle, and it's cheaper.

[Selta]

It's cheaper, yes. You can find pretty much any size ring out there premade though. Not entirely sure what you mean by shape... most are circular without deviation, until you get to woven, which is likely out of your ability/tool set at the moment.

[Fassa Albrecht]

The site I'm currently using as my main source of info covers all forms of mail work, including some that use square or hexagonal pieces.

[Selta]

What site are you using? Square and hexagon are really not good choices, from a practical / armor standpoint. I realize you're just being all cosplay/fantasy about it though, so maybe you don't care.

[Fassa Albrecht]

I'm using a website directory called the Costumier's Manifesto, alongside a couple of Japanese language sites.

[SBsoundguy]

This is a video of a blacksmith making a sword. It's beyond awesome.

viking sword - YouTube

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

.....alongside a couple of Japanese language sites.

What do Japanese people know about chain mail and armor? Those guys are the authority on throwing stars, swords, and scary masks. Armor and chain mail? Not so much.

-Mike

[MEKer]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Chainmail is "easy" to make if you just make rings and bind them together, like 4-in-1. If you plan on riveting them, it's a bit more, and if you want flattened, even harder to do still. Overall it's time consuming, though. I'd also recommend putting some sort of coating on it, such as Zinc, to protect it once you're done - mostly if you go with a steel/copper/brass. If you just go AL, you'll be OK.
Otherwise, if you're going to be doing plate armor or anything, good luck.
I've made a few suits of mail, coif, chest pieces and arm pieces, as well as pieces of chain on hardened leather. It's fun, though attention to detail and dedication is necessary. I don't recommend starting off with riveted or flattened metal... just either buy or make rings and start looping. I make my own rings, and there's a TON of information out there on how to do it 100% D.I.Y., but a lot of people also buy per-made rings and just loop them together themselves.

I made a cod piece---now THAT was a long-time task and used a LOT of rings. My girlfriend at the time said I was the Lord of the Rings when I modeled it for her. <smirk>

[Selta]

Are you also interested in swordsmithing too, Fassa? That's an entirely different game to get started in. I'd recommend by starting off with some of the blade blanks you can get, and building your own crossguard/pommel/grip, all of which are pretty difficult to build individually, and them making them all work as a system is an incredible adventure...

[MJ5150]

Don't they have all kinds of swords, chain mail, helmets, and all that already in the UK? I thought that is where all that stuff came from?

-Mike

[Selta]

Hardly. Very good builders right here in the USA of everything. The pieces themselves though are obviously not of USA's heritage.

[AnchorHoy]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

What do Japanese people know about chain mail and armor? Those guys are the authority on throwing stars, swords, and scary masks. Armor and chain mail? Not so much

Armor? Their historic heritage includes probably the best lamellar armor (layers of small metal scales) ever devised. Arguably better protection from an opponent's sword than chain mail, much more flexible and definitely much lighter in weight for the same level of protection



Why would they bother with chain mail when they already had a superior technology?

[Vorago]

Find yourself the thickest steel wire you can find that's still relatively bendable.

Wrap it around the small end of a screwdriver so you get a spring.

Slide off the spring and cut off rings.

Attach rings in chain mail pattern with two tweezers.


Have fun

[::::BASSIST::::]

A student at the school I work at made a 'chainmail' vest out of paperclips. It took him MANY hours but it looked pretty cool.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Are you also interested in swordsmithing too, Fassa? That's an entirely different game to get started in. I'd recommend by starting off with some of the blade blanks you can get, and building your own crossguard/pommel/grip, all of which are pretty difficult to build individually, and them making them all work as a system is an incredible adventure...

I've done some work with wooden shields for RPG gaming use, and I've come across some home-made blades and swords, which can be absolutely amazing if you're willing to put some work into it. Never actually tried it myself, although if I got the chance I'd certainly give it a try.

I'm going to end up walking around in full armor in Jesmond Dene, I can just see it...

[6jase5]

I wouldn't normally post this, but this is my wife and her 16lb, 3000 ring chainmail corset that she made by hand one ring at time...took her 3 months. At RenFair every chainmail guy wants to buy it. She's proud as can be and would never sell, nor would I let her.

[Fassa Albrecht]

^that is pretty damn awesome!

[cheezewiz]

LARP LARP LARP LARP!!!!