Chain mail

[Kilted KT]

I don't envy your fingers. How long did it take to get that bit o' mail made?

[RK-REX]

You may have a good way to make some extra kilt cash there. I know lots of folks that frequent the Renaissance (sp?) fests are into their costumes like we are our kilts and chainmail goes for big bucks.

If you would, next time you're knitting some.. Could you maybe do a little tutorial for us? I'd love to see how it's done.

-R

[BLAZN]

I don't envy your fingers. How long did it take to get that bit o' mail made?

I'd say, for that little strip, about 6 hours. That's including stripping the wire, coiling the wire, and assembly.

You may have a good way to make some extra kilt cash there. I know lots of folks that frequent the Renaissance (sp?) fests are into their costumes like we are our kilts and chainmail goes for big bucks.

If you would, next time you're knitting some.. Could you maybe do a little tutorial for us? I'd love to see how it's done.

-R

Umm... I would do a tutorial on it, but I'm lazy. That being said, and at the risk of losing some money () I'll share this little gem:
http://users.frii.com/dnorris/maillearmor.html (the background image is quite annoying, but the site is pretty decent).

[Andrew Breecher]

I've found that working with pliers helps save your fingers. Just get two needlenose pliers.

There are also sources to buy rings already made - it will save you tons of time! Even if you can't, I'm sure there's a source for bare copper wire so you don't have to strip it.

Andrew.

[BLAZN]

I've found that working with pliers helps save your fingers. Just get two needlenose pliers.

I have them. It's odd; I prefer having the extra dexterity of using my bare hands. I use one pair of needlenose pliers to help shape the rings, but I do most everything else with my fingers. I might just break out my Mechanix gloves for use on this project.

There are also sources to buy rings already made - it will save you tons of time! Even if you can't, I'm sure there's a source for bare copper wire so you don't have to strip it.

I'm certain I can find bare copper wire somewhere. I only used this stuff because I had it on hand. So far, my total monetary expenditure for this project is $0. I'm not going to count the cost of the wire as: 1) I bought it at least 2 years ago for another project and 2) I've no clue what I spent on it.

[MacGregor]

Do the renaissance fair types really pay well for chainmail? Do they buy it in premeasured lengths or in things like clothing, etc.?
Just curious

[Sorcha Griannon]

Do the renaissance fair types really pay well for chainmail? Do they buy it in premeasured lengths or in things like clothing, etc.?
Just curious

People like the look of any chainmaille at faire, and usually have the money to burn. Coifs and tunics do well, but little things like 4 inch strips of 4-in-1, 6-in-1, 8-in-1, ropes, and various other versions do well as key chains. Hand flowers are popular with the ladies as well.

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I had a boyfriend who did this a while back, and used a wooden frame, through which he threaded a steel rod. There was a hole in the end of rod where the end of the wire went, and the other end was put in a drill. You get a good, even spring fast. This is the method I will probably use WHEN I get around to making my own rings. It can help save your hands, especially when you are making a lot of rings.


Sorcha

[Caradoc]

You may have a good way to make some extra kilt cash there. I know lots of folks that frequent the Renaissance (sp?) fests are into their costumes like we are our kilts and chainmail goes for big bucks.

I gave up trying to make money knitting mail a loooong time ago.

That hauberk you see at the RenFaire for $500 was likely made in India or Pakistan, the guy running the booth paid $80 for it and $20 in shipping.

If I sold a hauberk that I'd made for $500, I'd be making less than $6 an hour.

[cwr89]

That hauberk you see at the RenFaire for $500 was likely made in India or Pakistan, the guy running the booth paid $80 for it and $20 in shipping.

not always true, at least from my standpoint. I am sure that Rygar would disagree. After all, he co-hosts one of the Maille booths at the cincy ren-fest.

and, if you payed $100 total for a Pakistani Machine made piece o' crap. I am sorry to inform you, you have been violently ripped off.

as for you question MacGregor, I know that Rygar's booth had everything from shirt and coif to fine jewelery, and If I remember it was the letter expensive things like ear rings and bracelets that sold for the most part. but to let you in on a little secret, if you want maille, talk directly to the person who is making it. like with kilts, it is very specific if you want a good fit. (and it probably wont cost you an arm and a leg. just an arm. the mark up of a faire is a killer.)

~Casey

[Caradoc]

but to let you in on a little secret, if you want maille, talk directly to the person who is making it. like with kilts, it is very specific if you want a good fit.

Um.

Actually, if I wanted mail, I'd make the stuff myself. I used to make a *lot* of it, taught classes on how to do it, built my own rig to make links, used a Dremel to grind out new faces on several pairs of pliers to get a better grip, et cetera, ad nauseam.