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Chunky Byzantine bracelet
Hi,
I have been asked to make a Byzantine bracelet with either 2mm or 1.8mm round wire, has any one used this size wire previously (it seems very big to me).
I have looked at the ar and arrived at (by multiplying 1.8x3.5=6.3 and 2.0x3.5=7)however I am unable to trial run as I don't have 6.3 or 7mm wire in copper or brass and am reluctant to use silver only to find after cutting the rings they are slightly to loose or to tight,any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you,
John
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I've done both 2mm and 1.75, and yes, it makes a big chain! I have to admit that I find Byzantine a bit clunky at these sorts of sizes - the spiral based weaves like JPL look much nicer in this kind of gauge.
You shouldn't have any problem finding a 7mm mandrel - think knitting needle or transfer punch, and if you want to go for the slightly thinner wire and have problems finding the right size, it's very easy to sand a bamboo needle down a little (they're usually a bit under anyway). Bear in mind that at these sizes, the weave will be quite forgiving, so the AR can come down just a little.
Your biggest problem will be springback, so you may need to anneal the wire before coiling to try to avoid the rings growing too much!
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Hi miz George
Thanks for your advice, am I right in assuming springback occurs after winding but before cutting,before reading your reply I was under the impression springback was caused by cutting as the wire being under tension sprung apart,would I be better adjusting the mandrel size ie maybe 9.50/975 to compensate for any expansion in ring size.
Would this result in a nice tight weave which I would prefer to a loose weave.
Your help is very much appreciated.
Thank you
John
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You're right John, springback happens when you release the tension that builds up whilst you coil. The whole coil relaxes a little, increasing the inner diameter by, in some cases, quite a lot. It's more of a problem with harder temper sterling (HH or more) and with metals like brass and bronze, which are harder to work to start with. Copper is softer, so it's less of an issue, but it will still open up a little.
I would probably coil the 2mm on a 6.75mm mandrel rather than a 7 to keep the weave nice and tight, and for 1.8mm wire, I think I'd risk a 6mm mandrel.
hope that helps!
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Thanks mizgeorge you're a genius really appreciate your help.
Thank you
John
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Just to put my two pennorth in, I often use 1.2 mm wire to make byzantine chains and the best ID I've found is 5 mm, this picture was using ringlord rings and their AR is 4.1
I personally find this a really nice proportion for chunky bracelets
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Byzantine
The large bracelet is made as follows...... ring spit....4.3 mm (ID) with silver wire 1.2 mm I don't think you can get tighter than this, correct me if I'm wrong, and the smaller one is made of 1 mm wire and methinks 3.5 mm ring spit..
Carlton
Be careful what you wish for.......... It might come true
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