Advice on chain for use with leather

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Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/12/2010 2:49:56 PM

subbie333

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For several years, i have thought about adding some products to my site that include silver-colored metal chain with the leather. This would be chain that would not be put under any stress, so, it would be for decoration. The typical use i have seen for this type of chain is a top for a female in which there is a vertical strip of leather down her chest with loops of chain attached and draped over her breasts. The uses i might come up with would be more coarse/heavy than chain mail and don't need to look that delicate.

The first issue is the type of chain to use. i am not really familiar with chain, but, i am assuming that it is categorized by material, thickness, and, perhaps finish. i'm pretty sure i can find chain to purchase on my own. But, what do y'all recommend for this use?

Next is how it is attached to the leather. Chicago screws would work, but, might be a bit bulky. For most of my fastening i use double cap rivets and they should work with the chain, but, do rivets hold over time? What experience do y'all have with attaching chain to leather? Would it work to punch a hole in the leather near the edge and open/close a link of chain through the hole?

Lastly, how practical is chain with leather? Just about everything i make is for "real world use" as opposed to just for looks. Do the links of chain "catch" on material, like pantyhose or satin lingerie? Does the finish on some chain tarnish? i would be looking for something that does not discolor, and, it should not need regular polishing/treatment. If an item with this chain were to be thrown into a toy bag, would the chain scratch/mar other leather items in the bag?

Thanks in advance for all the advice and suggestions.

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/17/2010 4:35:19 PM

rockspider

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To get a chain fastened to leather you really have 2 options.
The one is making a loop of metal and fasten it with a piece of leather rivetted on both side. Like a beltbuckle. Just done double.
The other is to make 2 identical metal plates and rivet it together throug the leather. On the one metalplate you can have whatever fastener you want.
Remember when you use old type rivets that it must be done on something which do not move. I have a big old heavy vice i put a piece of railway track in to act as counter and then use a four pund hammer on the former tool.

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/19/2010 4:54:16 PM

subbie333

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Thank you for your reply.

i understand your comment of using a fastener that allows the chain link to move. Although, if the fastener causes one link to be stationary, the next link would move freely.

i am not sure i understand your two examples. Do you have pics or drawings to help me understand? Your comment about a four pound hammer indicates that you are using heavier chain than i plan to use.

Again, my use of the chain would be for decoration as opposed to strength. The chain probably won't be under much stress at all. Therefore, i would not want a fastener that would detract from the aesthetics of the piece. This is a link to a pic of nipple clamps on the J.T. Stockroom site: http://www.stockroom.com/common/images/products/B002/B002.jpg i plan on using chain of that weight, or, probably slightly larger.

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/19/2010 8:00:29 PM

Scotty306134

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For a chain of that size and color I'd use a small brass screw and nut.{ 6/32,5/40 or even 4/40} If needed I'd include small brass washers between the chain and leather and under the nut. Scotty

< Message edited by Scotty306134 -- 1/19/2010 8:03:43 PM >

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/20/2010 4:45:55 AM

DesFIP

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I'd go with a locking washer. Chicago screws tend to need tightening on a regular basis.

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/20/2010 1:37:51 PM

Scotty306134

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A locking washer would probably cut the leather. Use a small drop of "Loctite"on the threads before putting the nut on.. Scotty

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/21/2010 6:10:28 AM

GotSteel

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Here's a site that sells parts for all sorts of bdsm related projects: http://www.saroftreve.com/hardware/cat-wr.htm

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/22/2010 4:31:55 PM

subbie333

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OK, perhaps i need to clarify some more. The link that i provided earlier is an example of the "weight" of the chain i am thinking about. My only preference as to the color and/or metal material is that it is a silver color and it does not easily tarnish since more than likely it will frequently come in contact with human skin. So, does anybody have an experience working with chain of this size/weight and what would you recommend as the material? i don't even know how chain is "sized", that is, is it measured in "gauge" or millimeters or something else? Does it come nickle-plated (like most of the hardware i already use), chrome, or, something else?

Concerning how it is attached to the leather, i am hoping that the fastener would not be larger than a Chicago screw. Anything larger would need to be more ornamental itself, but, not bulky compared to the size of the chain. More than likely, i would attach the chain near the edge of the leather. BTW, i am using 8/9 oz latigo. So, i can imagine punching a number 0 or 1 hole and attaching a 1/4" or 3/8" ring through the hole and opening/closing a link around that ring.

Lastly, concerning using chain with leather, can i expect chain of this size to not have burrs? That is, the chain would not scratch leather that it comes in contact with, or, easily snag lingerie?

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/22/2010 4:33:41 PM

subbie333

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Perhaps this pic and the pic in the previous post will help in the type of chain (and application) that i am thinking about.

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RE: Advice on chain for use with leather - 1/23/2010 11:21:10 AM

Scotty306134

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If You're using 'chromed' or silver colored chain stainless steel fastners are the closest thing I can think of. Here's a site that sells stainless screws and nuts. They probably only sell in bulk, but they have a dimensions page that will let You decide what size You need. Then go to Dom Depot, Lowes or wherever to buy. A small drop of 'Loctite' will stop the nuts from unscrewing and You'll probably need a small grinder like a Dremmel to cutoff and smooth the extra length of screw left sticking through the nut. Scotty http://www.absofast.com/products.html

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