I have worked in the metals lab at BYU for a while and one of the welding wire spools fell and the frame holding the wire got destroyed. Throwing it out was a huge waist so I’ve been wracking my brain on how to use an entire 45lbs spool of welding wire.
I’ve been making chain mail links with some success.
chain mail links made from welding wire
Tools
Too much welding wire
The right diameter pole
Drill
Heavy work gloves
Snips
The process is super simple.
Use a drill to wind the wire around a metal pole the diameter you want your chain links, then cut the links apart. don’t use a cut off wheel as it will give your links very sharp ends. Instead use some snips. this will leave you with nice clean chain links that won’t accidentally make you bleed.
The unfortunate realty is that although the wire is beautiful and a shiny copper color. This welding wire is only copper coated. The copper will ware off and the steel underneath will show eventually. I definitely have plenty of chain mail links to play around with and 43lbs of welding wire to deal with. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.
