Okay. My tumbler arrived and I used an abrasive plastic pyramid media (medium grit) to finish the chain. I tumbled it for at least six hours. I took it out a couple of times and removed a bit of the blackener by hand with an abrasive polishing paper, as the patina was darker on some links for some reason (I think this is because I was a little inconsistent with the file and roughened some surfaces more than others.) The result is a satiny matte finish and the necklace looks and feels very soft. I like it much better now that I've darkened and tumbled it. Now that I see it like this, I may eventually want to make more of these necklaces, or something close to it. And it feels nice to wear.
Here you can see the back of the necklace and the looped tabs which connect the links. I have found that I occasionally need to squeeze the loops with my pliers again, but it generally has held up with a fair amount to movement (and tugging by my enthusiastic toddler). I think, if I make this chain again, I will solder the loops in place. But first I need to do some experimenting with soldering aluminum... So I say chain one is done.
Awesome work, dude! I am not at all surprised that you know how to make something like this....but I am totally amazed and impressed by it! Let me know if you're ever going to make them to sell. Take care and tell the boys hi!
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