ANST - CHAIN MAIL LINKS

[j'lynn yeates]

On 9 Jun 98, at 10:17, Mark.S Harris wrote:

> If the machine shop has a spring-winding machine, it is apparently fairly
> easy to have them make links. The spring-winder can be set to wind the
> springs so they either wind tightly against each other or with some space
> in between windings. They can also be set to cut the "springs" so the
> length is one rotation of the spring thus creating cut links for mail. I
> believe the main drawback is the setup charge for the machine. But if
> several people were to go into together, the price gets reasonable. I
> can't remember the quantities talked about but 10,000 sticks in my mind. 

reasons why i prefer to find large-scale commercial mail crafter who already have these 
connections and purchase in these lot's and buy from them as needed.  but then, a 
shirt made of 16g 1/4" id (my standard weave) links can easily run 3000+ links, so 
we're talking about 3 shirts worth ... divide the initial order in thirds, sell off 2 "mail in a 
box" kit's.  bet it would'nt take more than a week (or one event) to move them.

buying from a larger producer also gives you a bit more flexibility in size and material 
when needed ... especially when small quantities are needed (one design down the 
line calls for three sizes of links in two contrasting metals ...)

another consideration that favor's the machine shop option ... early on i built in 
"traditional" iron and then case hardened after completion.  these days, when working 
in non-SCA environs, use primarily stainless and bronze - both metals being a *royal* 
pain to wind and cut (hard enough to close the bloody links ... mass annealing usually 
helps) 

'wolf
 


... When we hunt, we all function with one mind
... - Boingo, Pedestrian Wolves
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