What are /r/maille's favorite Products & Services?

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I used to use The Ring Lord for my jump rings and started to search for someone domestic. I hated having to wait a week because of customs... Then I found these guys: http://www.storenvy.com/stores/268168-lone-star-maille. They're awesome price wise and use the flat rate shipping. :)

I'm not the biggest fan of it to be honest, especially when it feels like it would clash the color scheme of the armor I'm working on. Though it can certainly look cool in the right circumstances. My school of thought is that the reason it's not staying up is because there's no tension on the maille right there, since it's resting above the collar. But at the same time I need to stabilize the scale maille, so it doesn't lie unevenly, distorting the inlay, or messing up the fit of the hauberk. Would doing something similar to the way this guy built his collar work? It seems he has a fairly steep neckline, it's not rounded at all. It's almost like a sharp V so the whole front of the shirt is supported.

I can usually find 16ga annealed wire at hardware stores, but I've noticed that not all Home Depot's carry it. I'd suggest trying other hardware stores if you don't want to order it online, I've had luck at Ace as well, since your Lowes seems not to have it in.

Alternatively, Amazon's always an easy way to go, as are other online stores. My preferred material is usually marked as "black annealed" or "tie-down" wire. There are usually quite a few sellers, and this was just the first I found that fit the same parameters I usually get.

I am working on moving from the 'big box of big bags' method that means I overorder because I can't find anything, into using drawer systems. I had one of those cheapo stacking plastic roll around drawer things, like this, and it works surprisingly well. wouldn't work on carpeted floor, probably. I was collecting old jars as well, and would take some masking tape on the lid to mark the size and gauge on it. The problem with jars is they are not efficient for packing, they are round, and usually seem to be like 1/2 full. But if you use them instead of recycling, they are free.

Recently I got some tiny plastic bins from harbor freight, and also from amazon (these), super cheap, they are square, and are reasonable durable. I wish I would have gotten some larger ones, but I will some day. I also wish I had got these sooner, they are amazing.

Also I got a few sets of the cheap set of Tupperware from ikea, its like $7 for 10 pieces, green lids, various sizes. The lids arent too secure, but some painters tape fixes that. Great for holding scales, and other bulkier items.

Finally, the plastic 'photo boxes' that are meant to hold a stack of photos are amazing for projects, as you can fit a decent amount in, and either have loose rings in it, or just in progress projects. They are also pretty cheap.

I end up moving stuff around my cramped room a lot, so I absolutely need closed and secured containers, so that's basically all I use.

Unfortunately there's no simple answer to this. Not for your needs. Learning new weaves requires sizes/A.R. across the board. I can recommend two collections of rings that are about the same price that might do well for your purposes. The first is from West Coast Chainmail

http://www.chainmaildude.com/store/chainmail-kits?product_id=443

It's a collection of a few dozen different sizes in the perfect quantity for learning and very good quality. You get enough of each size that you'll be able to make good sized samples of whatever you want to learn. It will also partially answer your question of what size rings your most likely to need in large quantity. Whichever sized get used up first are the ones you'll probably need most

The second is from Chainmail Joe

Complete Chainmail Kit - 20 Weave Tutorial Book, 23,000+ Rings(Over 4 Pounds), Clasps, and Tools https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081LNNDV8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_GQEAG8Z6A1DT9Y1R83SE

An extremely nice little kit with a large selection of rings and weaves you can learn. The rings aren't the world's best quality, but if you're looking to learn it's hard to beat that kit. Sometimes this goes on sale. I got it for 100.

Check out https://www.wunderground.com. I used to have to look up historic temperatures for work and they had a decent history feature. Look up your location select it and there should be a tab for History where you can select the dates.

Thank you for visiting my shop. Macrame is the art of creating textiles using knot tying. Here is an example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/126644059/earth-tone-beaded-macrame-necklace-with?ref=related-3

Move to different locations frequently. Sit at a desk, in a bed, stand, couch, yoga ball, on the ground, etc. Walk around a lot.

At the first sign of hand pain, take a break. It will only get worse. Also try different pliers, or alternate between them. I'm very happy with Wide Nose Plier with Ergonomic Handle from TheRingLord. If your hands hurt and you don't want to take a break, switch to a softer metal for a while. If you're dealing with hard metal and thick rings, get pliers with long handles, or at least one with a long handle. I use something like this in one hand and the other pliers mentioned in the other hand when dealing with titanium.

I got my rings from Lone Star Maille. I ordered my rings on a Thursday and received them Monday. I definitely second the Maille artisans website and look to pinterest.com or YouTube for ideas.

http://www.storenvy.com/stores/268168-lone-star-maille

hmm...Double Spiral looks quite nice. Example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/157240058/silver-black-red-20-inch-double-spiral?ref=shop_home_active_20 Or if you're wanting something sleek you may want to try Half-Persian 4 in 1...example:https://www.etsy.com/listing/160944272/bright-aluminum-24-inch-wallet-chain?ref=listing-shop-header-1 Both are good wallet chain choices.

Sure. https://www.etsy.com/listing/160943952/thors-hammer-bright-aluminum-chainmaille?ref=shop_home_active_3

Earrings here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/160943382/thors-hammer-bright-aluminum-chainmaille?ref=listing-shop-header-4

For ultimate strength, you could resistance weld the rings together. It depends how much money you are willing to invest. You could buy a resistance welder for a lot of money or create your own from a microwave transformer. It will require effort, but isn't overly complicated (assuming you understand basic electronics).

https://www.amazon.com/Swpeet-Materials-Including-Stainless-Aluminum/dp/B07CTNG9SW?pd_rd_w=E6K7P&pf_rd_p=fe838164-8963-4b55-8b4d-8eb514ffa8b5&pf_rd_r=99X03RS1FNJQK5ZD4VRA&pd_rd_r=d5cf53d1-6ea2-4e24-8a40-b17fc3d59c4c&pd_rd_wg=KuS4F&... This is the set of rods I bought off of Amazon, and should work well for you if you can get them. I personally use the stainless steel rods, and they might be pretty short, but perfect for use in a hand drill to wind a bunch of coils.

I'm rather partial to the Mazbot parallel pliers because the angled closure causes pinch points. That being said, SS is hard to move so either way you are going to build up grip strength before you can work 14g for any extended lengths of time.

A few things I've learned and employ making shirts as well:

1. Try cutters with longer handles, should give you better mechanical advantage. For example, the cutters I have found work well. They are a bit pricey though.
2. As some people have already mentioned, brace against something. This should reduce the force you have to exert by up to half(although it will usually be lower than that). Given the cutters above, I actually have a circular metal trashcan that I use the rim of to brace one limb of the cutters at opposite points on said rim.

These are just tips I've run across while making shirts and having very sore hands as well :)

I'm not sure where you are but kits are a good way to try things out. https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Chainmail-Kit-Tutorial-Pounds/dp/B081LNNDV8/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3IV2D1D1WIPF&dchild=1&keywords=chainmail+joe+jump+rings&qid=1605120538&sprefix=chainmail+joe%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-7

I think trying to cut and coil rings in a flat is going to be very difficult. You'll need mandrels, cutters and depending on the metal gauge, you may need a drill or other tools to wind the wire.

I can't speak for availability in Israel but I would imagine they are. I like End Cutters for working in larger gauges. I used them when I was working in 12 galvanized steel and they worked great.

I found it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RQKZSPT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Learn and get comfy with the popular weaves like European 4 in 1, Byzantine, box chain, half persian, full persian, etc...

The maille artisans website has tons of free weave tutorials.

YouTube is also your friend for free tutorials.

Lastly this e book on amazon seems to be popular.

Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop: Techniques and Projects for Weaving with Wire https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH40MVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DDSuEbX60PHAG

I recommend these snub nosed, longer handled pliers. https://www.amazon.com/Artistic-Wire-180S-218-Maille-Jewelry/dp/B008OG7758/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1551041495&sr=8-8&keywords=chainmaille+pliers (no affiliate)

They are strong and easy on the hands.

I use gostak containers to sort my ring sizes, and through the rings for the current project in my bag.
I also use a label maker to label the gostak's.

(I tend to do micromail)

https://www.amazon.com/BlenderBottle-GoStak-Storage-4-Piece-Starter/dp/B00CZAQIZ4

These are expensive for the size, but also some of the best pliers you'll find, made well from high grade tool steel.

https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-2501160-4-Inch-Pliers-Cutter/dp/B000X4OF8Q

https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-2521160-4-Inch-Angled-Pliers/dp/B000X4J1L2

They do not have spring assist, but they do have durability and quality. Knipex makes a lot of pliers though, so perhaps you can find some with spring assist.

I regularly do up to 12g Titanium with nothing more than these.

IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Pliers, Lineman's with Spring, 4-3/4-Inch (2078915) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JNNVUO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fsHFAbSF6YT8R

I do grind down the teeth.

For slightly smaller rings (16g), I cut/grind down the longnose version of the same plier to short chisel tips and go to town.

I've done most of my work with high carbon steel rings, hand moisturizer or a muscle soothing cream would have been nice during those days I spent 6-7 hours working. Went through a couple packs of plain cotton gardening gloves over a couple months too.

Finding this I might buy one just for mini painting and when I mail smaller jewelry items

You may, I am not a fan of needle nose personally. I would take some flat snub nose any day amazon TRL has some for $4 not great quality but they bend rings just fine.

I had success with plain cotton gloves, I cut the finger tips off the index and thumb so I could pick up rings, it helped a lot. Using these wearing two pair on each hand, I made a chainmail vest in 3 days for an order, 10-12 hours a day. high carbon 14g rings, pretty stiff to move. I couldnt have done it with out them. the extra padding between my hands and the pliers made a world of difference.

If you prefer springs, as I do, you might want to consider Irwin mini lineman pliers : IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Pliers, Lineman's with Spring, 4-3/4-Inch (2078915) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JNNVUO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_n7KhxbCJVZ0XZ

I tend to file down the teeth to nubs (takes only a minute or two). Good for me up to 10-12g titanium.

I absolutely love these. They have several sizes and a few options as far as cases to carry them. I usually get mine at Hobby Lobby for $2.99-$3.99 each. The 2XL ones hold about half a bag from The Ring Lord each.

I use fine chain nose pliers like these.