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Jerry Penner, The Chain Mail Guy

Authentic Armour - Cool Club Clothing - Gorgeous Jewelry

Rings and Tools

Bags of RingsStarter Kits | DIY Books 

Don't know where to start? Get the book!



Chain Mail Basics, Third Edition

Chain Mail Basics Third Edition e-Book

Chain Mail Basics Third Edition adds more good stuff to an already informative book. Over 50 black and white pictures and illustrations show you what to do, what not to do, why not to do it, and gives directions for knitting over a dozen items including shirts, skirts, bras, belts, and jewelry. You will find tips on choosing comfortable tools, description of the mental roadblocks that keep many people from finishing their first work, sources for wire and rings, and cleaning tips for sterling silver, brass, and galvanized steel. You'll find a section on working with (and colouring!) titanium. The various knits covered include the European 4-in-1, 6-in-1, Foxtail, King Chain and the Knit-3-Drop-1 stitch. If you're thinking of knitting and don't know if you have enough money for rings and a book, get the book.

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Chain Mail Starter Kit

Starter Kit

Add two bags of 1/16" dia. aluminum wire 3/8" dia. rings so you've got something to work with as you read the book and learn the knits.

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Complete Chain Mail Starter Kit

Complete Starter Kit

Save yourself the trouble of finding decent knitting pliers when you get your kit. Add two pairs of 6" linesman's pliers to your kit. These ones are Chain Mail Guy Approved. Better than needle-nose pliers, the teeth are specially shaped to give you some grip without marring soft rings. Made to minimize the amount of hand pressure required so you can knit longer.

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Perfectly Cut Rings


All of my rings are beautifully cut. I specially designed my cutting tools to give these rings an angle cut with no burr around the face. The angle cut means they assemble faster because the ends don't have to be as precisely aligned to produce a good closure as with a straight cut. These are not saw-cut rings so there is no burr around the face of the cut. The burr-free edge means you don't have to polish the finished work to make sure it won't rip nylons or scratch skin. This means you can knit faster, cheaper, and better than someone who doesn't use my rings.

I won't sell a ring I wouldn't use myself.


DIY Ring Kits

Galvanized Steel | Stainless Steel | Aluminum | Silicon Bronze | Copper | Sterling Silver | Titanium | Nitrile Rubber
Wire Type Wire Size
Ring Size
(I.D.)
Rings/bag
Rings/ sq. ft. Approx. Weight per Bag Price (CDN$)

Galvanized Steel

If you want to make period-looking chain mail, galvanized steel is a popular choice. It will require cleaning with soap and water until the zinc coating stabilizes. When it gets a characteristic metal smell, that's the zinc. You can speed-age galvanized steel by leaving it in a sink of warm water and a cup or two of bleach. Check on it every hour or so for up to 8 hours. When a whitish muck forms on the rings, wash and rinse it in hot water and soap and towel dry.

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Galv. Steel .074"
1.88mm
14BSG
1/2"
12.7mm
500 750 rings/sq. ft.
21 oz
610g


Galv. Steel .074"
1.88mm
14BSG
3/8"
9.5mm
500
1200 rings/sq. ft.



Galv. Steel .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
3/8"
9.5mm
500 1200 rings/sq. ft.
9 oz.
280g


Galv. Steel .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
5/16"
8mm
500



Galv. Steel 063"
1.6mm
16BSG
1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft.


#304 Stainless Steel

Stainless is a little harder to work than galvanized steel, but well worth the effort. #304 is the same grade that kitchen sinks are made from, and you know what kind of abuse you put your sink through. Stainless does not require a stabilization period like galvanized steel, nor will it rust. It takes a beautiful polish by tumbling with WD-40 and cotton rags. It's also less expensive than #316.

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#304 Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard .078"
1.98mm
14BSG
1/2"
12.7mm
500 750 rings/sq. ft.
21 oz
610g
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#304 Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard .078"
1.98mm
14BSG
3/8"
9.5mm
500 1200 rings/sq. ft.
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#304 Stainless Steel 3/4 Hard .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
3/8"
9.5mm
500 1200 rings/sq. ft. 10 oz.
280g
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#304 Stainless Steel 3/4 Hard .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
5/16"
8mm
500

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#304 Stainless Steel 3/4 Hard .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft. 7oz.
200g
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#316 Stainless Steel

Stainless is a little harder to work than galvanized steel, but well worth the effort. #316 is medical grade stainless, suitable for people with metal allergies. Stainless does not require a stabilization period like galvanized steel, nor will it rust. It takes a beautiful polish by tumbling with WD-40 and cotton rags.

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#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
3/8"
9.5mm
500 1200 rings/sq. ft. 10 oz.
280g
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#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
5/16"
8mm
500

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#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard .063"
1.6mm
16BSG
1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft. 7oz.
200g
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#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard .030"
.76mm
22BSG
3/16"
4.8mm
500
34g Buy on Etsy!

#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard

030"
.76mm
22BSG
5/32"
4mm
500

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#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard 030"
.76mm
22BSG
1/8"
3.2mm
500

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Aluminum

There are 2 common grades of aluminum wire: #4043 and #5356. The #5356 is harder, less likely to come apart. It's still soft, and easier to work with than galvanized steel or bronze. Works a little harder than copper. It's a reactive metal and will require cleaning occasionally. Do not spill pop, juice, or vinegar on it, this will discolor the metal. If you do spill something on it, rinse it off immediately with clear water.

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#5356 Aluminum .125"
3.18mm
8AWG
3/4"
19mm
250 330 rings/sq. ft. 27 oz.
760g
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#5356 Aluminum .094"
2.38mm
11AWG
1/2"
12.7mm
500 750 rings/sq. ft. 10 oz.
280g
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#5356 Aluminum .063"
1.6mm
14AWG
3/8"
9.5mm
1000 1200 rings/sq. ft. 6 oz.
170g.
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#5356 Aluminum .063"
1.6mm
14AWG
5/16"
8mm
1000

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#5356 Aluminum .063"
1.6mm
16ga
1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft. 4 oz.
150g
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#5356 Aluminum .045"
1.14mm
17AWG
7/32"
5.6mm
500

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#5356 Aluminum .045"
1.14mm
17AWG
3/16"
4.8mm
500

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#5356 Aluminum 045"
1.14mm
17AWG
3/16"
4.8mm
500

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#5356 Aluminum 045"
1.14mm
17AWG
5/32"
4mm
500

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#5356 Aluminum .035"
.89mm
19AWG
5/32"
4mm
500

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#5356 Aluminum .035"
.89mm
19AWG
1/8"
3.2mm
500

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Silicon Bronze

About as tough to work as galvanized steel, this material makes great accents in galvanized steel pieces.

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Silicon Bronze
.080"
2.03mm
12AWG
1/2"
12.7mm
500
750 rings/sq. ft.

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Silicon Bronze .063"
1.6mm
14AWG
3/8"
9.5mm
500 1200 rings/sq. ft.
10 oz.
280g
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Silicon Bronze .063"
1.6mm
14AWG
1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft.
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Silicon Bronze .045"
1.14mm
17AWG
1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft.
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Silicon Bronze 045"
1.14mm
17AWG
7/32"
5.6mm
500

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Silicon Bronze 045"
1.14mm
17AWG
3/16"
4.8mm
500

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Silicon Bronze .035"
.89mm
19AWG
3/16"
4.8mm
500 4800 rings/sq. ft.
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Silicon Bronze 045"
1.14mm
17AWG
5/32"
4mm
500

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Silicon Bronze .035"
.89mm
19AWG
5/32"
4mm
500
42g Buy on Etsy!
Silicon Bronze .035"
.89mm
19AWG
1/8"
3.2mm
500 12,000 rings/sq.ft.
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Copper







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Red-Enameled Copper 14AWG (.062") 5/16"
8mm
500

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Red-Enameled Copper 14AWG (.062") 1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft.
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Red-Enameled Copper 19AWG (.035") 1/4"
6.4mm
500 2400 rings/sq. ft.
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Red-Enameled Copper 19AWG (.035") 3/16"
4.8mm
500 4800 rings/sq. ft.
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Red-Enameled Copper 19AWG (.035") 1/8"
3.2mm
500 12,000 rings/sq.ft.
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Sterling Silver

Half-Hard sterling silver round wire works a little tougher than copper. If you'd like to experiment with a design without committing to silver, try it first in copper.

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Sterling Silver .040"
1.02mm
18AWG
5/32" (.156")
4mm
100

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Sterling Silver .040"
1.02mm
18AWG
1/8"
3.2mm
100 12,000 rings/sq.ft.
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Titanium

What's the Difference Between Grade #1 and 6AL4V?

Grade #1 is softer, easier to work with if you're making jewelry. 6AL4V is about as tough to work with as #316 stainless steel - still within the limits of human endurance - and it makes much stronger chain mail garments and jewelry.

What's the Difference Beween 6AL4V and 6AL4V-ELI?

6AL4V is made to the same chemical composition and exacting standards as 6AL4V-ELI, or medical grade titanium. 6AL4V-ELI is the stuff that surgeons use to pin bones together.

Each 6,000 lb. billet of 6AL4V-ELI is tested to determine its exact chemical composition after manufacture. This ensures that the productcan be used for implantation in the body without fear of the body rejecting it. This certification process pushes up the price dramatically with no benefit to the chain knitter.

The titanium I offer is near-medical grade, without the medical-grade price. It's manufactured to the same specifications as medical grade titanium but without the final verification testing. If you've got metal allergies you should be able to wear 6AL4V.

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6AL4V Titanium  (Please specify colour when ordering) .063"
1.6mm
14AWG
3/8"
9.5mm
125
1200 rings/sq. ft.

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Colour:
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering)
.063"
1.6mm
14AWG
5/16"
8mm
125

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Colour
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) .063"
1.6mm
14AWG
1/4"
6.4mm
125
2400 rings/sq. ft.
27g Buy on Etsy!
Colour
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) .030"
0.8mm
20.5AWG
1/4"
6.4mm
125
2400 rings/sq. ft.

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Colour
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) .030"
0.8mm
20.5AWG
.218"
4.7mm
125

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Colour
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) .030"
0.8mm
20.5AWG
.188"
4.7mm
125

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Colour
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) .030"
0.8mm
20.5AWG
.156"
3.9mm
125

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Colour
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) .030"
0.8mm
20.5AWG
1/8"
3.2mm
125 9600 rings/sq. ft.
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Colour

Nitrile Rubber

Nitrile rubber is safe to wear for people with latex allergies. These rings are durable, wear-resistant and very light. They can reduce the weight of a steel garment by almost half.

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Nitrile Rubber Rings (black)
0.100"
2.54mm
10AWG
1/2"
12.7mm
200 750 rings/sq. ft.
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Nitrile Rubber Rings (black) .063"
1.6mm
14AWG
5/16"
8mm
250 1200 rings/sq. ft.
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Nitrile Rubber Rings (black)
.063"
1.6mm
14AWG
1/4"
6.4mm
250 2400 rings/sq. ft.

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