No Prickle Chain Maille Jewelry
If you have ever worn jewelry that prickles, you'll know that those pieces are difficult to want to wear, even when you really love how they look.
The jewelry we love to wear looks great, feels nice and fits well.
The jewelry we love to wear looks great, feels nice and fits well.
Instructions
I remedy this by always having a sanding stick handy when making my jewelry.
I simply rub the stick over the outer edge of the join to make sure I have a smooth surface.
I simply rub the stick over the outer edge of the join to make sure I have a smooth surface.
It does take a bit more time to do this for each ring but once you get into the habit of doing it, it just becomes a part of the process of making great jewelry.
Here's a guide that will help you Make Your Own Sanding Sticks
For soft metals like silver, copper and brass I used a sanding stick made with polishing paper, usually 1200 grit.
For stainless steel I use sanding sticks with sandpaper, usually 1000 grit.
I want something that leaves a smooth surface with no scratchy marks.
I want something that leaves a smooth surface with no scratchy marks.
How to Make Your Own Sanding Sticks
Sanding sticks are useful tools, they don't take a lot of time to make and they add value to your jewelry because they help make a better finished product.
Having sanding sticks set up in each grit means you can go through the finishing process from coarse to fine and get a very fine finish on metal surfaces.
I make up sets with both polishing papers and sandpapers and I use these for different surfaces. They are also fantastic for stopping the prickle of chain maille jewelry.
I use paint stirring sticks for my sanding sticks. They are cheap to buy from hardware stores.
They are very light, have a shaped handle for comfort and are the exact size for the polishing papers and sandpapers.
They are very light, have a shaped handle for comfort and are the exact size for the polishing papers and sandpapers.
To wrap my sanding stick I use painters tape or masking tape. This tape can easily be removed when the paper has been used. The paint stick is the perfect size for the short side of the polishing paper.
I put the masking tape facing down onto the usable surface of the paper, all the way along both of the long edges with half of it sticking to the paper and the other half ready to attach to the sanding stick.
Setting the paper and the stick straight is important and the wraps needs to be as tight as you can get them. Once it has been wrapped up I write the grit on the handle.
I put the masking tape facing down onto the usable surface of the paper, all the way along both of the long edges with half of it sticking to the paper and the other half ready to attach to the sanding stick.
Setting the paper and the stick straight is important and the wraps needs to be as tight as you can get them. Once it has been wrapped up I write the grit on the handle.
When the paper gets worn out it is very easy to undo the tape and take off the worn paper to reveal the unused paper underneath.
As you use up the paper on the sticks the profile changes from super cushioned to hard and flat and these attributes are better for different shapes.
A full sanding stick that has lots of cushioning layers is better for rounded shapes and edges but they can round off angular edges.
The sanding sticks with only one wrap of sand paper left are very hard and flat and are much better for angular surfaces and keeping your corners crisp.
As you use up the paper on the sticks the profile changes from super cushioned to hard and flat and these attributes are better for different shapes.
A full sanding stick that has lots of cushioning layers is better for rounded shapes and edges but they can round off angular edges.
The sanding sticks with only one wrap of sand paper left are very hard and flat and are much better for angular surfaces and keeping your corners crisp.
Materials
No materials listed
Tools
WET/DRY PAPER 9 X 11 ASST- 20PC- 2EA GRIT 180-3000
ABR-500.90
- ABR-500.90
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $24.95
- Gold Club Price: $18.71
Half Round Sanding Sticks Set of 6
BUF-751.98
- BUF-751.98
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $11.57
- Gold Club Price: $8.68
Supply Detail
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- Category: Chain Maille
- Technique(s): Finishing, Chain Maille
Kylie Jones
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