Chainmail wire thickness?

don · Post by **don** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:35 pm

If you poke around on http://www.theringlord.com, you can choose what type of metal and size of link you might like. The link section has recommendations like "armour strength" or "super armour strength" for the various sizes of links.

These are premade links which may assist you with your project. there is also a project calculator on the site to give you an idea on how many links to order.

The only issue I could see is the cost of shipping and handling from Canada to the UK.

Don

Sneblot · Post by **Sneblot** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:54 pm

ok quick update on the maille I have been doing as I quite quickly realised that the amount of wire I had brought would not be enough to make a shirt lol, I decided to make some gaunlets insted.

Here is how far I have got this is about two days work I think.

[img]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/Squidge_Monkey/Picture6.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/Squidge_Monkey/Picture4.jpg[/img]

Dan Howard · Post by **Dan Howard** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:20 am

You'll need to rotate the weave 90 degrees if you want to be able to bend your fingers.

Sneblot · Post by **Sneblot** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:13 am

Dan Howard wrote:You'll need to rotate the weave 90 degrees if you want to be able to bend your fingers.

I take it that you mean the weave on the finger part?

Sneblot · Post by **Sneblot** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:13 pm

I think I should clear up my design idea Im not making a full maille gauntlet the maille will just be a middle layer a three layer gauntlet.

It will go welders glove, maille, leather. I have included a picture that will hopefully aid the that discription.

[img]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/Squidge_Monkey/blove-idea.jpg[/img]

Qwertypolk · Post by **Qwertypolk** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:43 pm

What dan means, is the maille needs rotating. If you look at the weave, on yours, the links fall horizontally, meaning it can stretch further across your hand, than down it. In a hauberk, that's good as it allows you to breath, in a gauntlet, it means you can't close your hand properly.

Edit: Here's a link to my first maille gauntlet, the links are huge, the wire is way too thick, but it'll give you an idea of how it's meant to hang.

Second edit: What purpose is the maille supposed to serve? if you're making gauntlets for an early period group, your best bet is very thick leather, riveted into a plate mitten gaunt. Much more defensive, and just as well hidden.

Dan Howard · Post by **Dan Howard** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:31 pm

Yep. Here is a gauntlet from the MET.

Sneblot · Post by **Sneblot** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:56 am

Thanks for the help I would have never know about the weave untill it was to late.

Johann Lederer · Post by **Johann Lederer** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:15 am

Dan Howard wrote:Yep. Here is a gauntlet from the MET.

That has some TINY rings!

Qwertypolk · Post by **Qwertypolk** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:50 am

Johann Lederer wrote:
Dan Howard wrote:Yep. Here is a gauntlet from the MET.

That has some TINY rings!

It's a dueling glove, or so says the URL link. I guess it's to prevent thrust from getting too far through!
Have a look at some of the Asian maille in Leeds Royal armouries at some point, if you get chance. The links on those pieces are so small they have to be seen to be believed! :lol:

I'd say their ID was smaller than 1mm, though it's been a few years since I had chance to go down there, so I may be exaggerating a little.

Regards,
Qwertypolk

Sneblot · Post by **Sneblot** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:21 pm

I have now rotated the rings 90 degrees. I can't believe that it actually fits better on my hand now.

Check it out.
[img]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e315/Squidge_Monkey/Picture31.jpg[/img]

Carnifex- · Post by **Carnifex-** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:16 pm

I donÂ´t know what you actually did, but from here it looks still wrong.

Konstantin the Red · Post by **Konstantin the Red** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:58 am

Find the resilient dimension of your mailpatch. This must go parallel with your extended fingers. Thus the mail can expand and contract as your fingers flex and straighten.

Code: Select all

)))))))))))))------>your
(((((((((((((------>fingers
)))))))))))))------>extending
(((((((((((((------>like
)))))))))))))------>so

The mail should look like that on the back of your hand.