Description

In cases where I have very short mandrels, or where the mandrels' diameters are too small to effectively hand wind using a handled mandrel, I employ this method. I freehand wind them by turning the Vice Grips handle with my left hand and guide the wire with my right. This is very hard on my thumb, and so I only do few coils at a time. The harder the wire, the harder it is to coil.

This is certainly not an overly efficient method, but for the relatively small amount of micromaille rings I use, it does the trick.

This picture is also an example of a wonky mandrel. This 5/64" (1.98mm) unit went wonky from being used a lot. If you look closely, you can see that it's wavy. This has happened to none of my other mandrels though, so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

Weave(s) Used (Click to View Weave)

None

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Tag(s): Coiling, Handwind, Mandrel, Tools