Bensmom Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 I think ds would love to make a chain mail vest etc. but have not found any kid-friendly kits. I really don't want to make one myself, so it needs to be easy enough for ds 10 to do with little assistance. Any suggestions? Oops. Wrong forum. My apologies. I don't know how to move it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 My sister made the coolest-looking vest out of those pop tops from soda cans, something that looked about like this one: http://m.instructables.com/id/Genuine-chainmaille-from-pop-tabs/ It is actually very sturdy, and has lasted through three active boys and plenty of sword fights:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 My sister made the coolest-looking vest out of those pop tops from soda cans, something that looked about like this one: http://m.instructables.com/id/Genuine-chainmaille-from-pop-tabs/ It is actually very sturdy, and has lasted through three active boys and plenty of sword fights:) This. And it's cheaper than chain mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Can he knit? The classic way to make chain mail is to knit (knit 'plain' every row to give the right texture) two grey rectangles, sew them into a tabard, then spray paint them silver. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Hands n Hearts has chain mail kit in the Middle Ages set. I've found it fascinating but extremely difficult. Kids watched and went to play with padded swords ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 My oldest made one from this.. http://www.instructables.com/id/Genuine-chainmaille-from-pop-tabs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 A high school boyfriend and I made a lot of chain mail and chain mail jewelry type things in high school. Basically, you purchase 12 or 14 gauge wire (can't remember), twist it slowly and painfully around a wooden dowel, about finger-thickness, into an enormous spring-type shape, then slip off the spring and clip each circle of wire off. Then, with pliers, you open the rings and you start piecing together your chain- you can find lots of into on patterns online. The twisting and clipping were very hard of the hands and muscles- we eventually switched to using a diamond rotary saw blade, but it was still a whole lot of work to make even a small amount. We had a lot of free time back then... I suppose it was a better hobby for a boyfriend and girlfriend than drinking and having TeA! LOL. Memories... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 ^What Monica said, but instead of twisting the wire by hand, make a mandrel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpyTheFrog Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 DH tried using wire to make gloves a few years ago. He gave up after several hours because it was so slow to do and he didn't want to get carpal tunnel from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in the UP of MI Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 A high school boyfriend and I made a lot of chain mail and chain mail jewelry type things in high school. Basically, you purchase 12 or 14 gauge wire (can't remember), twist it slowly and painfully around a wooden dowel, about finger-thickness, into an enormous spring-type shape, then slip off the spring and clip each circle of wire off. Then, with pliers, you open the rings and you start piecing together your chain- you can find lots of into on patterns online. DH has done this as well. I made a tiny square back in college, too. It is a lot of work and takes a looooong time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 You can buy lightweight precut rings now, and I would highly recommend this for a 10 yo. I would suggest he start with something simple, like a chainmail bracelet, chainmail juggling cubes, or a chainmail key fob, just to get an idea of how the work goes. A vest is a large commitment of time. Take a look at www.theringlord.com to find precut rings, downloadable patterns for projects, etc. It's definitely doable. Also, check to see if you have a local branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism. There will likely be several folks in any given group who would love to teach your son how to make chainmail! :001_smile: www.sca.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 You can buy lightweight precut rings now, and I would highly recommend this for a 10 yo. I would suggest he start with something simple, like a chainmail bracelet, chainmail juggling cubes, or a chainmail key fob, just to get an idea of how the work goes. A vest is a large commitment of time. Take a look at www.theringlord.com to find precut rings, downloadable patterns for projects, etc. It's definitely doable. Also, check to see if you have a local branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism. There will likely be several folks in any given group who would love to teach your son how to make chainmail! :001_smile: www.sca.org I still have my chain mail juggling balls! They are sitting on my bookshelf right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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