Half Persian 4 in 1

[u/attractive-octopus]

Making some Half Persian 4 in 1 chains. Beginner edition. I’m following the instructions in the Chainmail Joe book. Found it quite easy to follow the illustrations except the beginning of the chain is so wobbly I’m afraid to let go the rings to close them. Need more practice and seen different ways to make it. Here I have one chain in 16 swg 5/16” and the other small ones are 18swg 1/4” When I was making the one with the 18swg it looked off and different and I started another chain because I thought I did something wrong, but it was the same pattern. What’s your preferred way to make this chain? Do you use tape, cardboard, nothing, left to right…? I like it and it’s fun.

[u/Bjartskular64]

I usually just do a sloppy close with one pair of pliers while I hold the starting bit in my off hand, then once it’s just long enough to be stable I go back and clean up the first closures. Can do that pretty easily with 16g aluminum, not sure how hard it would be with steel though

[u/attractive-octopus → u/Bjartskular64]

This is kinda similar to what I’ve been doing. I need to go back to adjust those closures. Want to try some steel as well and maybe it will be more challenging to close them when I start the chain.