Twisted Wire Maille

[Chanmailleman]

Some years ago I learned a process for twisting wires together to add visual interest to each ring. I only made a relatively small test piece at the time, mixing galvanized steel and brass wire on some of the rings. Now that I'm getting back into making maille, I'm going to start by making a shirt on the same principle, but with stainless steel and brass. I can't remember ever having seen many (maybe any?) similar pieces even back when I was regularly active on M.A.I.L. Is there some reason for this that I haven't accounted for? Surely I'm not the only one who loves the way twisted wire rings look and feel.

The first pic is of the old test piece, with (I think) 18ga wire from Lowes making up the sub-wires for a combined diameter of around 0.090", with an ID of about .350 or so. Second pic is a piece I just made to re-learn my process after a few years off. 16ga hardware store wire for a combined diameter of about .110", and an ID of about .430".

 

[Jancs]

Advertisement

As I use copper scrap wire, some times I use twisting to get required diameter or utilise too thin scrap wire. It becomes even more interesting if calibrated. One more twist is twisting twisted wire and calibrate it

 

[chainmaillers.com]

Is there some reason for this that I haven't accounted for?

I'd probably go with the fact that I don't think many vendors sell twisted wire rings. These days most buy their rings as opposed to the old MAIL days when many were making their own. You can also possibly have double the chance of a problem with clean closures.

Surely I'm not the only one who loves the way twisted wire rings look and feel.

Personally, I love the look of twisted wire, however I'm one of those that just buys my rings As I'm sure there's an additional cost for twisted wire, that may figure into it as well.

The first pic is of the old test piece, with (I think) 18ga wire from Lowes making up the sub-wires for a combined diameter of around 0.090", with an ID of about .350 or so. Second pic is a piece I just made to re-learn my process after a few years off. 16ga hardware store wire for a combined diameter of about .110", and an ID of about .430".

Both seem like really solid pieces. Nice work

As I use copper scrap wire, some times I use twisting to get required diameter or utilise too thin scrap wire. It becomes even more interesting if calibrated. One more twist is twisting twisted wire and calibrate it

Looks amazing, but would be a clean closure nightmare, no?

 

[Jancs]

With just once twisted wire - no. Did not try with double twisted, yet.
The nightmare would be cutting twisted wire rings with scissors or saw rather than "dremmeling" them - no chance getting quality rings, I think.

 

[Chanmailleman]

I'd probably go with the fact that I don't think many vendors sell twisted wire rings. These days most buy their rings as opposed to the old MAIL days when many were making their own. You can also possibly have double the chance of a problem with clean closures.

Personally, I love the look of twisted wire, however I'm one of those that just buys my rings As I'm sure there's an additional cost for twisted wire, that may figure into it as well.

Both seem like really solid pieces. Nice work


Looks amazing, but would be a clean closure nightmare, no?

I hadn't really considered that, but it makes sense. I suppose I'm just a glutton for tedium, though, I've only bought rings a couple of times. If drawing my own wire was a little more feasible, I might be doing that too 😆

And yes, clean closures are definitely even more of a concern, partially from the odd cross-sectional shape of the wire itself, partially from the extra springiness. Luckily all I have to do to clean them up significantly is take off my reading glasses 😆

And thanks! The partially brass one has been sitting around taunting me for a few years, and I'm excited to finally start executing on the concept!

With just once twisted wire - no. Did not try with double twisted, yet.
The nightmare would be cutting twisted wire rings with scissors or saw rather than "dremmeling" them - no chance getting quality rings, I think.

Yeah, my first piece (and indeed, all my original hundreds of thousands of rings) was clipped by bolt cutters, so the ends are pretty lackluster. I need sort out a good saw method, but Dremeling is working pretty well for now at least.

 

[Jancs]

just for info: the look of calibrated twisted wire (2 wires).
And, btw - twisted wires are softer than the same dimeter copper wire (for obvious reasons), so for stability of the weave it is better to weld/solder them, if the work allows.