No Prickle Chain Maille Jewelry

by Kylie Jones
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.
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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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To wrap my sanding stick, I use painter's tape or masking tape.

This type of tape removes easily once the polishing paper is worn out.

A paint stick is the perfect size for the short side of the polishing paper.

I place the tape face-down along both long edges of the paper half sticking to the paper, half left free to attach to the stick.

It's important to set the paper and stick straight and wrap as tightly as possible.

Once wrapped, I label the handle with the grit number.
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When the paper gets worn out, it's easy to peel back the tape and remove the used layer to reveal fresh paper underneath.

As you use up the layers, the sanding stick's profile changes from super cushioned to hard and flat.

A full sanding stick with many layers is great for rounded shapes and edges, but it can soften sharp corners.

Sticks with only one wrap left are much firmer and flatter, making them ideal for angular surfaces and keeping corners crisp.
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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
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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
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Paint stirring sticks
  • Lesson Quantity: 10.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Scotch 0.94 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together
G13-5
  • G13-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.97
  • Gold Club Price: $4.48
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Pro Shear
SHR-544.00
  • SHR-544.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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  • Category: Chain Maille
  • Technique(s): Finishing, Chain Maille