Genuine chainmaille from pop tabs

Step 4 Bend

The tabs will need to be bent slightly so they will lay together properly. This is where the staple remover comes it. Turns out it gives it just the right amount of bend. Put the tab in cut side first and close the tool down so that one side holds the cuts and the "bridge" is over the metal edge on the other side. Press with your finger and, bam! you're done.

Comments

[GDfense26]

are there any other methods that will bend them just as consistantly without using a staple remover?

[NinjaGuy000]

I've been using a normal pair of Needle nose pliers.

[Gelfling6]

It's worth a shot.. When I've been making standard ring maille, I use a pair of 'Duck-Bill' long-reach pliers from Sears.. (Item# 00945087000 | Model# 45087 ).. they have a wider width jaw than needle-nose pliers, about 5/16" width.. they might be about the right width to grab each tab, and use the other (or even a pair of lineman's pliers) to make the bend. I will say, from someone who's made chain maille for close to 28 years, I am impressed by this! Yes, it would take a L-O-N-G time to make an entire suit of these.. the present suit I wear to ren faires, is 14-guage FyShock aluminum electric fence wire. (well past 4000 rings!) it takes lots of patience, and persistence to complete.

[Delo97]

Ok, but it takes FOREVER to put in precisely

[bdunni88]

I use an adjustable wrench, make it just wide enough to slip a tab inand out and duct tape the worm gear at that position.  I got prettygood at it.  If you want to see the finished shirt you can checkout my instructable

[darknessfalls]

same here

[ironsmiter]

I've made a small jg out of a 2x4(2 pieces) and a door hinge.
I line 3 up side-by-side in the groove   I cut.
then pull down on the "handle" and insta-bent tabs.

[hintss]

right angle edge of needle nose pliers

[Coliflower]

Yes. What I do is I hold one end on a table with the palm of my hand, and have the other half off of the table. then, I just push down with my thumb. But, if you do this, cut after bending.

[tdown47000]

OM NOM NOM NOM =)

[_-MacGyver-_]

lol

http://www.omnomnomnom.com/random/index.php

[insane0p0tat0]

the bending helps in keeping them together. if they're straight then the tabs will start stacking and getting higher and higher instead of layering

[skimmo]

how do you make the bends all the same angle?

[Crystalmyst]

I've found the best way to do it, is to bend them over something strong and sloped. I started off just bending them over a bench ('cos staple removers are incredibly hard to find at my school), but eventually I just got a bit of scrap wood and sawed a slope on it and now I bend them over that. Very handy!

[kgarthai]

What does the bend do? I've been doing this exact same thing, but I haven't been bending my can tabs. Does it make the finished product more flexible?

[spenfisher12]

personally I think it is to make the finished product more realistic.

[static]

Appears that the bend allows you to connect one horizontal rows. That may not make any sense, but I don't know to explain what see any better.

[quixotiCfluX]

Without the bend this style of weave wouldn't lay out flat. I just finished working out how to weave them without bending, I plan to make a follow-up -ible for it and a couple variations.