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[Kuro Akui Ryuu]

I'll be cosplaying Link from LoZ next years AnimeExpo and I dont know how to go about on making his chainmail. I'm on a very low budget and I need help on how to make it and using cheap material. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[o01101011]

My friend made "fake" chainmail by using a loose knit sweater, cutting it as needed (and finishing the edges!), and spray painting it silver.

[verdatum]

For Link, most people skip the chainmail altogether. It's hardly essential to his character. I didn't even recall ever seeing a representation where he wore any until I did a websearch.

As Digit mentioned, knitting works well for fake chainmail. In fact, that's what all the knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail wore. They were on a very low budget too

[Kuro Akui Ryuu]

Originally Posted by o01101011

My friend made "fake" chainmail by using a loose knit sweater, cutting it as needed (and finishing the edges!), and spray painting it silver.

Thanks much!

[Yet Another]

I'm actually using soda tabs for mine. It takes forever, but with all of those layers he wears, I think it'll be cooler than a sweater.

[djlemma]

The sweater idea is pretty awesome. I've made a lot of actual chainmail as well, and it isn't necessarily expensive, just labor intensive. How much material do you need and what's your budget?

[Gabriel79a]

I have had success using PVC pipe cut into small rings with a split in them. Super Glue can be used to glue the split back together after the rings are woven. Got the idea from Lord of the Rings. It takes FOREVER though.

[djlemma]

Originally Posted by Gabriel79a

I have had success using PVC pipe cut into small rings with a split in them. Super Glue can be used to glue the split back together after the rings are woven. Got the idea from Lord of the Rings. It takes FOREVER though.

How'd you cut the PVC pipe? A jig on a bandsaw or something?

[Gabriel79a]

I made a little jig to size the rings and I use a plain hobby saw to cut them. Takes about 5 seconds to get through one ring. You have to sand the inside to get rid of the mess. I use a dremel for that but they are cut with a hand saw.

[nathancarter]

For cutting PVC, a ratcheting pipe cutter is faster and leaves clean edges. Four bucks at Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/ratchet...ter-39749.html

[djlemma]

Originally Posted by nathancarter

For cutting PVC, a ratcheting pipe cutter is faster and leaves clean edges. Four bucks at Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/ratchet...ter-39749.html

ooo yeah, and no mess!
Ring Lord started carrying plastic rings as well, I haven't used them but they look cool. And you can get them in Clear...
http://theringlord.com/cart/shopdisp...las tic+Rings
Costs more than galvanized steel but you don't really need tools to put it together.

[Kuro Akui Ryuu]

Originally Posted by djlemma

The sweater idea is pretty awesome. I've made a lot of actual chainmail as well, and it isn't necessarily expensive, just labor intensive. How much material do you need and what's your budget?

I was thinking about doing the sweater thing since I only got like 10-20 bucks at most to spend on it. I dont really have the time to make a chainmail either because I babysit, although Id love to make one. :3