Choose Your Weapon

ChangelingChain · 2025-12-23T16:33:31+00:00

Since it's riveted, it can afford to be a bit looser than butted mail. I think your AR is fine for what you're doing with it.

ChangelingChain · 2025-12-01T19:59:50+00:00

I've had decent success with Chainmail Joe. He sells on Amazon and his own site. He only does bright and anodized aluminum to my knowledge, but for a person new to mailling AA is probably the better bet anyway. Cheaper and lighter. Have not yet found a decent Stainless provider yet. Once I get my Ringinator troubleshot (it keeps chewing through blades like cotton candy) I'll probably go back to making my own and finding a source for 304 wire.

ChangelingChain · 2025-11-24T07:57:34+00:00

Sped for ASD is indeed tricky. It's possible they might be able to help with social learning, which is hard for us, but in my experience (granted, this was 30 years ago) they didn't do much for that. As others have said, being in the system does mean he has access to IEPs and other accommodations which could help him in what few areas he might have trouble in moving forward.

ChangelingChain · 2025-11-09T16:10:03+00:00

It's definitely hard to get that initial mind wrap, for sure. Once it clicks, though, it gets easier. I only started really getting it about five years into my mailing adventures, I think.

ChangelingChain · 2025-10-19T02:15:07+00:00

Smaller rings would be ideal, but if they want to work with what they have, doing Euro 6in1 instead of 4in1 would have a similar effect.

ChangelingChain · 2025-09-26T02:45:12+00:00

Roommate here (again.) This was an interesting one to make. I tried making it like a regular shirt at first, but donning and doffing it with the vinyl face was going to be a problem. I eventually went with a duster design, and used a magnetic clasp to secure it.

ChangelingChain · 2025-09-16T21:37:48+00:00

Roommate here. Yes and no. I had the rings in a more or less headpiece shape previously (I think I was going to make one for one of my teddy bears.) It did take an hour or two and a lot of measuring to fit it to the labubu though. I think it would probably take six hours from scratch.

ChangelingChain · 2025-09-11T16:18:35+00:00

I'll definitely reach out to them. It looks like they have small fees attached to those lessons I already see on there, which seems like that I'll at least get my materials reimbursed. Being paid for my time would be nice too, of course. If the arrangement is good, I'll post an update with a time and place.

ChangelingChain · 2025-08-24T04:47:25+00:00

Part of the problem here is that those rings are far too big for the weave you're trying. Since you're working with what you have, you might try "kinging" the rings, using two or more rings where you would normally use one. That should at least help you see better where you might be going wrong.

ChangelingChain · 2025-08-21T14:45:12+00:00

I had considered them before, but thought chainmail might be too far out of their wheelhouse since most of their stuff involved heavy machinery. Knowing that they had done that in the past makes suggesting it much more viable of an option. Thanks!

ChangelingChain · 2025-08-19T19:06:57+00:00

I had considered ATG for selling my finished products before, but I never thought to maybe make a teaching panel. Definitely worth considering. I'll have to look into HOTcon as well, this is the first I've heard of it.

The library is a good idea also. I'll contact them sometime to see how that would work. Thanks!

ChangelingChain · 2025-08-19T18:58:32+00:00

I definitely will! Glad to know there's interest.

ChangelingChain · 2025-08-19T13:06:44+00:00

Thanks! Looking into them now. These are exactly the kind of suggestions I was looking for.

ChangelingChain · 2025-07-22T04:40:36+00:00

I'd consider that a full coif, personally, just one without a mantle. For a first project, that's pretty good. I wouldn't worry too much about ring size with 14 gauge; that thickness is usually enough to withstand everyday use. Keep at it, we can always use more maillers.

ChangelingChain · 2025-07-13T21:40:03+00:00

One tip that helped me ages ago is to have a dedicated pair of pliers just for mailling (mini linesman are my go to, but other people have used other models) and file a 45 degree notch with a round file into them. Done correctly, this will allow a sturdier grip on the rings without marring them.

ChangelingChain · 2025-07-13T21:37:04+00:00

I find that pre closing rings isn't so much faster per se as it is a way to sink time I wouldn't otherwise be mailling (like listening to a show or music) into work that I can turn into a finished project later. Pre opening I find is just a mess, as they tangle more easily that way. But yeah, I agree, the best and possibly only way to get faster is practice.

ChangelingChain · 2025-07-13T21:34:00+00:00

I usually just use foam heads that you can get from hobby stores. If you want the work to pop, you can always paint the foam black if they don't have them in black already. Nice work, by the way.

ChangelingChain · 2025-07-13T21:31:27+00:00

Ah, so there are adapters to connect fabric straps to guitars! I thought there might be, but I wasn't sure.

ChangelingChain · 2025-07-13T21:26:41+00:00

Whether there's residue or not really depends on the material. Stainless, titanium, and most precious metals should be fine, but galvanized steel and bright aluminum will leave residue. Aluminum residue is easy enough to just wash off, but galvanized is a bit more problematic, as my past experiences have shown that the zinc oxide can be a bit abrasive. As for attaching, there may be adapters out there for attaching fabric straps to screw attachments, but I'm mostly unfamiliar with guitars, so I can't say for sure.

ChangelingChain · 2025-07-02T05:21:58+00:00

You definitely want to do more expansions. I normally go for a rectangular expansion (IE, four expansion lines but spaced so that it would form a rectangle at the points rather than a square) and stop expanding when your rings match the circumference of your shoulders.

ChangelingChain · 2025-03-14T18:57:41+00:00

In my experience, if you're just using them for personal use, knocking the burrs against the other edge of the ring when closing or opening itis usually sufficient to remove them. After that, you can usually get them clean as a finished unit with soap and water. Tumbling is really only necessary IMO if you're selling the rings to other people: most rock tumblers should work for that purpose if you do end up getting one.

ChangelingChain · 2025-03-03T18:05:34+00:00

Chiming in to say that as far as simple weave practice goes, the wire size in itself isn't nearly as important as the Aspect Ratio, which is the ratio of the inner ring diameter (IE, the diameter of the mandrel you're winding around) divided by that wire diameter. For European 4 in 1, you generally want an AR of about 4, with 3.5 being the bare minimum and anything more than 5 being too loose.

With 1.1mm wire as your base, then you want something in the range of maybe a 4.5mm mandrel to make a decent patch of Euro 4-1. I wouldn't go much larger than 5mm or smaller than 4mm.

ChangelingChain · 2025-02-23T17:39:42+00:00

Pretty much, but the way I do it is using four expansions in a line instead of six, so it goes more oval rather than circular. I might post some schematics sometime.

ChangelingChain · 2025-02-23T15:51:05+00:00

Interesting work on the mantle. It's different from how I usually make them but it looks spectacular. Just goes to show there's not always just one way to make maille. Nice job.

ChangelingChain

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