Jerry Penner, The Chain Mail Guy
Authentic Armour - Cool Club Clothing - Gorgeous Jewelry
Rings and Tools
Don't know where to start? Get the book!
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
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. |
Buy
on Etsy! |
|||||||
Galv. Steel | .074" 1.88mm 14BSG |
1/2" 12.7mm |
500 | 750 rings/sq. ft. |
610g |
|
|||
Galv. Steel | .074" 1.88mm 14BSG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
500 |
|
|
||||
Galv. Steel | .063" 1.6mm 16BSG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
500 | 1200 rings/sq. ft. |
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. |
Buy on Etsy! | |||||||
#304 Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard | .078" 1.98mm 14BSG |
1/2" 12.7mm |
500 | 750
rings/sq. ft. |
21
oz 610g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#304 Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard | .078" 1.98mm 14BSG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
500 | 1200 rings/sq. ft. | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#304 Stainless Steel 3/4 Hard | .063" 1.6mm 16BSG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
500 | 1200 rings/sq. ft. | 10 oz. 280g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#304 Stainless Steel 3/4 Hard | .063" 1.6mm 16BSG |
5/16" 8mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#304 Stainless Steel 3/4 Hard | .063" 1.6mm 16BSG |
1/4" 6.4mm |
500 | 2400 rings/sq. ft. | 7oz. 200g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#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. |
Buy on Etsy! | |||||||
#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard | .063" 1.6mm 16BSG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
500 | 1200 rings/sq. ft. | 10
oz. 280g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard | .063" 1.6mm 16BSG |
5/16" 8mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard | .063" 1.6mm 16BSG |
1/4" 6.4mm |
500 | 2400 rings/sq. ft. | 7oz. 200g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#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 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#316L Stainless Steel 1/2 Hard | 030" .76mm 22BSG |
1/8" 3.2mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
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. |
Buy on Etsy! | |||||||
#5356 Aluminum | .125" 3.18mm 8AWG |
3/4" 19mm |
250 | 330 rings/sq. ft. | 27
oz. 760g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .094" 2.38mm 11AWG |
1/2" 12.7mm |
500 | 750 rings/sq. ft. | 10
oz. 280g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
1000 | 1200 rings/sq. ft. | 6
oz. 170g. |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
5/16" 8mm |
1000 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .063" 1.6mm 16ga |
1/4" 6.4mm |
500 | 2400 rings/sq. ft. | 4
oz. 150g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
7/32" 5.6mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
3/16" 4.8mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | 045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
3/16" 4.8mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | 045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
5/32" 4mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .035" .89mm 19AWG |
5/32" 4mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
#5356 Aluminum | .035" .89mm 19AWG |
1/8" 3.2mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Silicon Bronze |
About as tough to work as galvanized steel, this material makes great accents in galvanized steel pieces. |
Buy on Etsy! | |||||||
Silicon Bronze | .080" 2.03mm 12AWG |
1/2" 12.7mm |
500 | 750 rings/sq. ft. |
Buy on Etsy! | |
|||
Silicon Bronze | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
500 | 1200 rings/sq. ft. |
280g |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Silicon Bronze | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
1/4" 6.4mm |
500 | 2400 rings/sq. ft. | Buy on Etsy! | |
|||
Silicon Bronze | .045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
1/4" 6.4mm |
500 | 2400 rings/sq. ft. | Buy on Etsy! | |
|||
Silicon Bronze | 045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
7/32" 5.6mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Silicon Bronze | 045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
3/16" 4.8mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Silicon Bronze | .035" .89mm 19AWG |
3/16" 4.8mm |
500 | 4800 rings/sq. ft. | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Silicon Bronze | 045" 1.14mm 17AWG |
5/32" 4mm |
500 | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
|||
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. | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Copper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buy on Etsy! | ||
Red-Enameled Copper | 14AWG (.062") | 5/16" 8mm |
500 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Red-Enameled Copper | 14AWG (.062") | 1/4" 6.4mm |
500 | 2400 rings/sq. ft. | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Red-Enameled Copper | 19AWG (.035") | 1/4" 6.4mm |
500 | 2400 rings/sq. ft. | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Red-Enameled Copper | 19AWG (.035") | 3/16" 4.8mm |
500 | 4800 rings/sq. ft. | Buy on Etsy! | |
|||
Red-Enameled Copper | 19AWG (.035") | 1/8" 3.2mm |
500 | 12,000 rings/sq.ft. | Buy on Etsy! | |
|||
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. |
Buy on Etsy! | |||||||
Sterling Silver | .040" 1.02mm 18AWG |
5/32"
(.156") 4mm |
100 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Sterling Silver | .040" 1.02mm 18AWG |
1/8" 3.2mm |
100 | 12,000 rings/sq.ft. | Buy on Etsy! | |
|||
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. |
Buy on Etsy! | |||||||
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
3/8" 9.5mm |
125 |
1200 rings/sq. ft.
|
|
Buy on Etsy! |
|
||
6AL4V
Titanium (Please specify
colour when ordering) |
.063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
5/16" 8mm |
125 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! |
|
||
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
1/4" 6.4mm |
125 |
2400 rings/sq. ft.
|
27g | Buy on Etsy! |
|
||
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) | .030" 0.8mm 20.5AWG |
1/4" 6.4mm |
125 |
2400 rings/sq. ft.
|
|
Buy on Etsy! |
|
||
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) | .030" 0.8mm 20.5AWG |
.218" 4.7mm |
125 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! |
|
||
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) | .030" 0.8mm 20.5AWG |
.188" 4.7mm |
125 | |
|
Buy on Etsy! |
|
||
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) | .030" 0.8mm 20.5AWG |
.156" 3.9mm |
125 | |
Buy on Etsy! |
|
|||
6AL4V Titanium (Please specify colour when ordering) | .030" 0.8mm 20.5AWG |
1/8" 3.2mm |
125 | 9600 rings/sq. ft. | |
Buy on Etsy! |
|
||
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. |
Buy on Etsy! | |||||||
Nitrile Rubber Rings (black) | 0.100" 2.54mm 10AWG |
1/2" 12.7mm |
200 | 750 rings/sq. ft. | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Nitrile Rubber Rings (black) | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
5/16" 8mm |
250 | 1200 rings/sq. ft. | |
Buy on Etsy! | |
||
Nitrile Rubber Rings (black) | .063" 1.6mm 14AWG |
1/4" 6.4mm |
250 | 2400
rings/sq. ft. |
|
Buy on Etsy! | |