My Aunt Knit me Chail Mail - Really

[joeranger]

So knowing my fondness for mail, my aunt knit me a chain mail shiry out of gray yarn. OH, you shouldn't have, no really, you shouldn't have.

However, after further review, it was the yarn that was the problem. I asked if she could do the same thing with nylon cord. The result was pretty cool and comfortable. It took a lot of black and silver spraypaint, but the result was awesome. Not up to combat standards, but great for under armor. It's thick so it doesn't need padding.

Has anyone found a good costume grade chain mail vendor? I do not have patience/time to weld thousands of little rings.

Anyone else have alternatives to actual mail?

 

[xdmray]

nice, i bet it does the job perfectly.

i would also like to know if anyone does chain maille. it's kind of hard to source a builder.

 

[Interceptor6]

I made a shirt years ago. I had a local company, (Cook Spring Co.) make the rings out of spring steel, though baling wire from the hardware store, turned on a mandrel will give you a very similar result for less $$$. MANY hours in front of the tv later, I had a shirt!
It kicked around the house for 10 years or so before I sold it. Absolutely NO plans to build another! Several of the jousters doind the medieval and renaissance faires do it as a side line.
Good luck!

 

[MaulWalker]

You don't have to weld the rings. It is quicker to butt them.

Lynn

 

[joeranger]

Here is a post I made after Narnia. Their was supposed to be a version available to the public.
http://www.therpf.com/f9/narnia-chainmail-any-sca-guys-out-there-10710/

 

[Hazelrah]

The only problem with butted mail links is that they have a tendency to catch on things and can accidentally be pulled apart. The old standard for authenticity is to flatten the ends of the rings and rivet them. This is usually a labor intensive process that can as much as quadruple the cost of a piece...I've made a few pieces in the past and it is a total pain...but well worth the effort.

 

[Cosmic Ash]

my girlfriend does alot of chainmail bracelets and necklaces but she never had to weld anything just lots of time with netflix and my small pairs of pliers i think ringlord.com is where she gets patterns and info and she buys bulk bangs of rings of ebay

 

[Charles Kline]

On Stargate SG1 the used black knit sweaters and brushed on sliver paint.

I make my own rings, and just butt the ends, with the right gauge wire you dont have to worry about them getting pulled apart.

 

[craden]

wow that actually looks really cool! nice one!

 

[kwalsh0000]

As said above, the SG ones used wool I believe. I bought aload of rings from ringlord.com and still have not made a full shirt It is very time consuming.

In the end I just bought a cheap one off ebay and dry brushed it the proper silver i wanted and left it on the mannequin. Does the job so far and was cheaper.

 

[Zaxmon]

If you wanted authentic historical replicas, go here: M.A.I.L. - Maille Artisans International League - Making riveted maille - Submitted by Eli

Those guys will hook you up.

 

[MooCriket]

Very Cool!

 

[Goodwolf]

If you can still find door springs instead of the newer pneumatic devices, you can cut them down a side with a Dremel and a cutting wheel and make rings that way for pretty cheap.

 

[joeranger]

This is the best tutorial I have seen on the elusive 4 in 1 pattern. He uses giant shower curtain rings to demonstrate.
YouTube - Plastic Costume Chainmail Tutorial
I will continue to look for alternatives.

Here is a theater/stage article.

http://schooltheatre.org/sites/default/files/dramatics/2010/11/1110_cobbe.pdf

 

[SmilingOtter]

Tutorials on a lot of maille weaves:
CGMaille.com - Tutorials

Note: 4-in-1 is pretty much the simplest weave there is.

 

[A2E]

However, after further review, it was the yarn that was the problem. I asked if she could do the same thing with nylon cord. The result was pretty cool and comfortable. It took a lot of black and silver spraypaint, but the result was awesome. Not up to combat standards, but great for under armor. It's thick so it doesn't need padding.

Mind if I ask what diameter the nylon cord is, and how much was used? I am looking to do a bit of mail my self for some cosplay, and this looks like a great way to go.

 

[joeranger]

Cord was hardware store white nylon. About the thickness of uncooked spaghetti. Spools the size of beer cans. I think 2 or 3 spools. $10-15 max.
Can't be dyed though. Have to use spray paint for plastic.

 

[Bonded Hawk]

I love the knitted chain mail. It reminds me of the older crusader type movies. Try doing a search for aluminum chain mail if you want a cheaper ($100-150) lighter alternative to steel. Not near as strong but good for cosplay, and with lower maintenance.

Bonded Hawk

 

[Charles Kline]

If you can still find door springs instead of the newer pneumatic devices, you can cut them down a side with a Dremel and a cutting wheel and make rings that way for pretty cheap.

Does the spring steel hold the bend when you close the ring?

I make my own rings, its really easy and the jig is simple and easy to construct.

 

[Macrossmaster]

Cord was hardware store white nylon. About the thickness of uncooked spaghetti. Spools the size of beer cans. I think 2 or 3 spools. $10-15 max.
Can't be dyed though. Have to use spray paint for plastic.

Look into plastic and vinyl dye, available at your Auto Parts shop - it dyes most plastics permanently with no rubbing off.