of link and diameter of former. Links of minimum size give a close inflexible mesh. Links of maximum size give a very open mesh. For any wire gauge a former of around six times wire diameter gives a good looking ring size. The following should be considered when choosing a link size:- Using a thinner wire will reduce the weight of the suit. Thicker wire will allow larger link sizes to be used and increasing the link size decreases the number of links required. Thick links require more effort to cut and close than thin links. Thin wire unbutts more easily than thick wire. Small links look prettier than large ones. For a convenient size to start with I would recommend 16 gauge wire wound on either an 8mm or 10mm former. Links are formed by winding a coil of wire which is then cut along its length to give the individual links. Winding wire onto a stationary former is a tedious process so you will require some form of coil winder. A simple way of making one is to take a hand drill, clamp it into a vice and put the former straight into the chuck. Another simple machine is a hand cranked mandrel. This is made from a piece of two by four wood about two feet long with a pair of wooden uprights mounted about one inch from the ends. The two upright blocks have holes drilled in them to take the former. Various sized formers can