Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18Hi guys...
I know that I'm not really a new player (by most people's standards, anyway), but I am very new to the Armor Aspect of things. I'm getting set to make some chainmail...but I was wondering where you all get your rings from.
I know that some of you order rings from theringlord, and some of you cut your own rings. What do you feel is the most cost effective method? I know that for price, cutting your own rings is cheaper, but I don't know if it's worth my time (I value my free time pretty highly )
What do all you armorers out there recommend for a newbie armorer...
Also, I'm interested in hearing pros and cons on metal types, and good beginner weaves.
I'm looking for something flashy, and price isn't really to much of a problem...but I sure am not buying anything...I want to make this set.
Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.Count Orlando Sheriff of Obsidian Hills Kingdom of the Rising Winds
"A Kingdom is only as strong as the character of its citizens."
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Rewth
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18www.theringlord.com as you already mentioned. but not jsut for cut rings. you can also buy wire there for cutting your own. the site has a HUGE multitude of options, it really is the best place i've found for it. course... i was jsut buying materials for my monkey at arms to make me a shirt from. i'm too damn lazy to do it myself.
side note... shipping costs on a 20lb spool of aluminum is round 20 bucks. that hurt a little."But right now I'm a little concerned about my pants, since I don't know where they are." - Valathina Nailo
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Cullum
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18If you decide to go the "cut your own" route, there are an amazing number of places you can slap cutting time into. For instance, if you're driving to a big event, or slow periods at work (maybe, depends on your job, hmmm... "I found a metal ring in my vitamins!" "Well, they are high in iron..."), etc.Superstar, do you think you're what they say you are?
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Oderic
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18I've done several chainmail pieces and for the money I say cut your own rings. I can pick up a half mile of 14guage wire used for electrical fences for under 20$. The wire is galvanized steel and I get it here in Omaha at a Tractor Supply Store. With a half mile you can get ALOT of rings. I have a buddy here in QT that stands about 6'2" and weighs close to 270lbs and he only used a little over half the wire spool for a chain shirt. Hit the hardware store and look for bronze welding rods, (about 7-10 bucks for 15 3ft lengths) and you can turn rings to trim or accent pieces. On the flip side of that, I've seen some pieces done with the anodized aluminium from the ringlord and I have to say they do look pretty.
Oderic of QTBecause without the garb we looked like dorks, and with the garb we looked like dorks with a purpose. - CioCio on E-sam
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Orlando Ebasdotter
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18I think that my imparticular problem is that I'm so easily distracted that if I go to cut my own rings, I will lose interest in cutting them long before I get enough rings to make a shirt.
And for me, at least, I feel the opportunity cost of cutting my own rings is too high, as opposed to me spending the extra to just buy them precut.
Now...I just have to figure out what kind of pattern/colors I want to use...Count Orlando Sheriff of Obsidian Hills Kingdom of the Rising Winds
"A Kingdom is only as strong as the character of its citizens."
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Oderic
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18Hey, if the extra money for precut is worth your extra time, then I say go for it. The other upside of precut is since they are machine or laser cut, you get a better match of the butted ends.
Try this link for some good info to help you decide pattern.
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Edan
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18Orlando Ebasdotter wrote: I think that my imparticular problem is that I'm so easily distracted that if I go to cut my own rings, I will lose interest in cutting them long before I get enough rings to make a shirt.
And for me, at least, I feel the opportunity cost of cutting my own rings is too high, as opposed to me spending the extra to just buy them precut.
Now...I just have to figure out what kind of pattern/colors I want to use...
Hey obie,
This is my big problem....i have a hard time just sitting there cutting rings ( which is why im taking a brake right now and letting cruz do it for me )
my advice....have a chain party...
seriously invite a bunch of people over and all work on chainmail at the same time....the time goes by so much better and before you know it you've cut enough rings to definetly get a start on whatever your making...
good company helps.
Cruz and I do this a lot...and help eachother with projects, he'll take one side of the chain and expand and ill take the other...or we'll take turns making rings and adding them to the project.
Just a couple ideas..if your wanting to do something like this lemme know, im sure cruz would love the opportunity to share his knowledge on making chainmail and id love an opportunity to make chain with other people....really its funner that way.
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Orlando Ebasdotter
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18I'll have to order some rings, and have everyone down for a party to weave/cut whatever you want here in Denver...
(I'll be weaving, as I won't cut them myself...it's still not worth my time.)Count Orlando Sheriff of Obsidian Hills Kingdom of the Rising Winds
"A Kingdom is only as strong as the character of its citizens."
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Grendel
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18yeah, Cruz is fo sho' the man on the ring cutting, if you have a cool system like a metal rod, some wood, and an electric or battery powered drill thing (the one that can adjust to take different sizes of bits) you can spin and cut your rings in no time at all.. as far as learning I would go to Cruz's chainmail workshop as a nice intro, then approach m.o.s.s. and evilryss for jewelry and other techniques perhaps.. I've seen some of the cool anodized colorized aluminum rings, they seem kind of soft, not brittle but not strong, course that could just be the particular rings I was looking at.. I also have been delving into chain-art so I would say talk to other more experienced folks before you decide to buy $50.00 of rings for your chainmail suit that end up not supporting the weight of themselves.
something I'd love to get into is the braided wire, traditional for some viking arm rings and neclaces, basically you get your wire, don't cut it, but braid it into these weird chainlink sorta kniting loops and then you put ends on it to attach it to itself..
anyone have experience in this weaving or resources for creating it?Dragoon Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy. Hús Vetra Skald IMU
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Skrag
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/02/17 08:18i like Derakon's Library (http://derakon.chainmailstore.com/) the instructions section uses computer generated point-of-view graphics in different colors to explain the steps. it's a little easier on the eyes (and brain) and they have some wicked patterns too.
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Cruz
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Posts: 498
Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/03/08 14:02Geez! how did i go so long without realizing you guys were talking so much about me!!!
Anyway, Like Edan said, getting together with more than one person helps...ALOT. I finished my stupid sife beater type chain shirt in only a month and there were only two of us. Like edan said again if one person works on one side and the other on the other side, it gets by really fast. Although we had 3 all nighters and my fore arms were sore for a week, I had alot of fun and would be willing to help you guys with anything you have planned. Cruz Hús Vetra Skald "Sand is over rated, it is just a bunch of tiny rocks..." "The more you sweat during practice the less you bleed in battle"
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Cruz
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/03/23 11:48This is one of my favorite sites as well.Cruz Hús Vetra Skald "Sand is over rated, it is just a bunch of tiny rocks..." "The more you sweat during practice the less you bleed in battle"
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RahnTheLuckless
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/07/23 02:26I'm also a n00b when it comes to armor, but damn, i really want some. What are your guyses opinions as far as scale mail goes? i think it might be a *bit* lighter, but how does it compare as far as crafting time goes? or even for that matter, has anyone here made scale mail? Any help would be very appreciated.
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Tski
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/07/23 19:51I think I am a n00b compared to all of you, expecially considering the armor field, but I am a monk and monks dont get armor so HAHAH!
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Valathina Nailo
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Re:Finally jumping into Armor - 2005/07/24 00:19I'm a newbie also, and I have absolutely no experience or very much knowledge of armor. I wonder if that is a good or a bad thing!?"Ninja-Vanish!"
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