null UA-71408823-1

Categories

 Loading... Please wait...
  • since 1976

  • Sales and Support Call: 604-987-5311

Categories

You've Got Maille

Posted by Lois on

Welcome back to Weave Got Maille.
The first installment gave us a little bit of information on where to start, and this article will elaborate on some of those things.
Tools are very important in chainmaille. Pliers are the most important tool you will use as these are how you open and close the jump rings. Pliers should have comfortable grips, fit your hand, have smooth jaws and be of a decent quality. Play around with different types of pliers to see what works best for you. The most common are chain nose pliers which are wider at the bottom and taper to a slightly rounded end. These are great for most jump rings between 22awg and 18swg in most metals from aluminum to brass. Flat nose pliers are great for larger jump rings 16swg to 12swg in most metals though you may still find it tough to close brass or stainless in 12swg. Bent nose pliers can also be used for those who like the versatility of having finer pointed tips for tricky close closures as well as the added grip from using them backwards to open larger jump rings. If you are looking to close monster rings consider linesman pliers – these are great for heavy stainless steel rings.
Chainmail is all about the jump rings. You can make your own or purchase ready-made rings. Be aware! There are two major ring gauge systems used in jump rings. Pay attention to your pattern so that you get the right rings. American Wire Gauge (shortened to AWG) is used mostly for fine metals such as sterling and gold filled while the other Standard Wire Gauge (shortened to SWG) is used mostly for base metals like copper, aluminum and brass. Some ring suppliers have all of their wire in one system and others have their finer metal wires in AWG. Make sure you check! For example sterling silver 18g jump rings from one supplier could be AWG making them 1.02mm wire; from another supplier these 18g jump rings could be SWG making them 1.2mm wire. This will make your weaving very difficult if you order the wrong one!
If you want to avoid the issue completely learn how to calculate aspect ratio and then you will never go wrong! That however will be the subject for another article. 


Thanks!

comments powered by Disqus

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required