Reddit reviews 1 Pound Bright Aluminum Chainmail Jump Rings 18G 1/4" ID (6400+ Rings!)

For the clumsy Real Runners^TM out there.

Okay, so I'm actually planning on doing a Crusader myself next year and I can go into some of what I plan on using. Also keep in mind that while I have done armor before, I am by no means an expert on it, I just know what my preferences are and how I plan on tackling some of the hurdles.

So lets tackle the elephant first, The Armor:

"Armored by faith, driven by duty, bound to kill the enemies of the Zakarum."

• For materials I plan on using a combination of things as in my experience one typically isn't enough. Yes worbla is a good jumping off point, but its rather expensive for my tastes and I have heard a lot of horror stories in the past of it reforming itself when being left in peoples cars. So instead, like the addict I am, will be resorting to my normal shenanigans of ABS and Sintra with a dash of craft foam and EVA foam.
  
• Both the plastics you can get at a plastic manufacturer , ABS runs around $80 for a 4'x8' sheet, and Sintra runs about $30 for the same size, you will need a power cutter for the ABS, but a box cutter should be okay for the Sintra. Craft foam is carried at most craft stores for scrapbooking, just ask and they can get you set up and its like $8 for a pack of 12-16 18"x24" sheets, and EVA foam you can get at most hardware stores or Wal-Mart but I'd recommend Harbor Freight as they have both rolls and squares, typically runs $10-$20.
  
• All of the above can be molded with a heat gun, if you get one get at least a 2 heat, and I'd personally recommend this one. Just becareful and wear gloves and make sure you ventilate pretty well. Also, test it, test it, test it! Make sure to get a good feel for how the material will work with your resource.
  
• Bonus note! ABS and Sintra can be heated in the oven. Use a non-stick silver pan when heating them. ABS is roughly 300 degrees for 15 min, will be flexible for about 45 seconds, so you need to act fast. Sintra goes in about 5 min at like 250 degrees (much lower heating threshold). Oven heating is really good for base shapes, base shape around an arm, or a leg or w/e, but not for detailing, use a heatgun on low for that. Also make sure that after you base-shape you smooth it out really nice or you're gonna have some warping on the sides. And since both of these are heat moldable, if you don't have glue you can stick it back in the oven and try again.
  
• Bonus bonus: ABS is solid, like ridiculously solid. I've had people physically hit my armor and hurt themselves on it. I also can withstand competition level Airsoft Rifles and literally not feel a thing.
  
• For small details I'm going to be investing in a 3D printer next year. Dremel has one that is supposed to have super good quality and really easy to use for $1000, so come on tax return.
  
• Chain mail if you have a pair of pliars and a lot of patience you can get chainmail rings on Amazon for about $25-30 depending on the size. This does take a while so I'd recommend starting a good TV show and watching it in the background while you work.
  
• Finally, make sure you pattern your pieces. To do this wrap what you want to pattern in cellophane and cover it loosely in tape, preferably something that you can use a sharpie on, and then draw out the base pattern from there. Make sure to include an extra 5-10%. I cannot stress this enough, you would not believe how many pieces I've had to remake because I didn't make them big enough the first time. Don't waste your money because of this stupid simple mistake.
  
  Okay, onto a bit easier subject, The Cloth and Leather:
  
  "My faith is rewarded."
  
  
• For the fabric you really need to decide if you want to be a little worn or like a majestic unicorn. IF you're going for worn look for a fabric that already appears as such. A good example would be some sort of cotton linen hybrid that you can wear up a bit with a box cutter (look up how to weather pants for this). If you want to be majestic and BA, look for a high sheen cotton sateen. It really all depends on what you can find in the store, also look online too, most places will either just give you a small sample or sell you them for like $1-2.
  
• For your leather I'd say go for a Vinyl for solid pieces and actual leather for the quilted pieces. If you have a Tandy Leather in your area go there. They are super willing to help and if you show them pictures and tell them what you want to do they'll get you all set up. They even offer classes and have open work where an instructor will just sit there and answer questions.
  
  My plan for my eternal Phalanx, and this can be debated, The Shield:
  
  "The crusade marches on!"
  
  
• For the base I'm going to be using pink insulation foam layered upon itself. I'm doing this because it's cheap and light, and trust me, that is important. You need to carry this around all day, no reason to make your arm hate you. Also I do not care if the inside is curved in, in fact, I almost prefer it not to be.
  
• After I carve/sand the outside to base shape I'll add detail where needed with either more insulation foam or craft foam.
  
• Once everything is pretty coat it all in either Gesso (4-5 coats) or Paper Mache to seal the pours. Then cover it in (Plasti Dip](http://www.plastidip.com/) to seal it and give it a nice look, this will also add a bit of stability to it.
  
• By far the Gesso will be the most expensive as it's about $20 for a 32 oz jar and will need about 1 jar per coat.
  
• After all of that paint it, add some straps and your golden. Oh and if you want to save some materials and money dont make an arm guard for your shield arm unless you want to magnetize it as it will more than likely just be getting in the way and you will run the risk of ruining the guard anyways. My plan is to magnetize both forearms so I can use the shield in either arm btw.
  
• Oh and for the shield grip (what you hold in your hand) use a gate pull. They wont move around like cloth, they're not entirely uncomfortable, and they're cheap.
  
  Last but not least, everyone favorite, The Weapon:
  
  "Do not hesitate to strike down your enemies. Death is their salvation from evil."
  
  
• Dowel rods are a great base. I'd also recommend PVC, for longer weapons PVC is ideal as its lighter and thicker pieces won't bend as much as you think, but feel free to test this out.
  
• Use pink insulation foam for the larger pieces like the hammer head and spear tip. Again it makes it lighter, and the lighter it is the more comfortable you'll be.
  
• For things like blades and whatnot, if it's more than a foot long add an internal notch and some way of anchoring it inside of the insulation foam. This will make sure that the foam wont move around on you and you don't have a magic rotating weapon. This will also prevent them from flying of if the glue someone comes undone.
  
• For the details it's back to Sintra and Craft Foam. Like these are amazing and can really add a nice pop to your weapon. Other commonly used items are foam display board.
  
• Finally make sure you cover porous things in Gesoo + Plasti Dip. I've even see people use 4-way stretch spandex because they didn't want to paint. Just make sure your edges are nice and clean.
  
  That's really all I got. Only other thing I could suggest is to take your time and start early. Some of my friends, and even me sometimes, don't start early and will run around the week before/week of freaking out because we're not done, so don't be like us. Be smart. Oh, speaking of being smart, make sure you use PPE. If you don't know if you need it ask about it. You don't want to be working with something like resin without a mask and get breathing issues in 15 years because you didn't protect yourself. And what ever you do, don't forget:
  
  "Kneel before Zakarum!"

1. The most expensive item I have on my main list is a pound of jump rings.
   
   
2. I want this because I'm getting into chain mail jewelry. My boyfriend requested that once I get pretty good at it, he wants me to make him chain mail armor that he can wear while he plays DnD with his family lol So, I'm pretty sure that between me learning how to manipulate the jump rings and making his chain mail armor, I'm gonna need a crap ton of jump rings lol
   
   
3. I would be completely fine with it c: I've already made plans to buy them in smaller quantities over time. It would just be more convenient to have a crap ton at once xD
   
   Edit: "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds