1st Chain Probs - How or proceed or Abandon?

[SlowMover]

I would finish it. Fixing problems or dealing with setbacks is a good way to both learn and sharpen skills. I don't think the chain is bad, with the tips given it wilt look fine..and will be your first chain always whether you finish it or not..so finish it and have something to look back at in the future.

[Big Barn]

+1 to everything above. If you want to clean it up a little - go ahead. Otherwise, put it where you can see it as a learning model just as is. I think you know what worked well & what didn't for you so you can continue to move forward on your next project.

[fly fisher]

sorry for not replying sooner Slo...To start with its not a bad looking chain for your first attempt but its not gona get any better so would stop work on it and start a new.
Just a little tip for you Slo, its best to carve your ball and cage first because its alot easyer to do with everything solid and no chain getting in the way which you may end up breaking.
If you would like a nice pattern mate just drop me a message and i'll send you one gladly.

Oh ye by the way .........glue used on a chain is a big NO NO

[ABitoSlo]

Thank you for the support and suggestions everyone! I'll finish up this one as a....prototype. Ya, a prototype! :-) It's a good place to practice repairs, texturing, paint, and repairs. It is my first chain, and a nice platform to continue as a learning model.

The ball in cage is still good to finish. I'll just have to make a smaller chain someday to go through the loop and hook on itself.

Roadblocks to overcome: patience and technique cutting the first X or cross shape cleanly, and same for the initial holes in the rings. As always getting the roughing done taxes my patience, while I can spend hours obsessively finishing.

[WoodWhittlinWayne]

I think we all are our own worst critics. I know that I am mine! I'll carve something and think it is horrible and needs to go in the firewood pile. Then someone will see it and comment on how much they like what I thought was just barely good enough to be kindlin for the fireplace.

Your chain looks good for a first attempt. A lot better than I could do! Sure there are mistakes, but learning from our mistakes is how we grow to become better carvers!

Personally, I would keep the chain and put it where I would see it every time that I started to carve. That way it would remind me of my mistakes and push me to do better. I have a Celtic knot that I tried to carve a little over a year ago that is just awful. It was what caused me not to stick with carving when I first tried a year or so ago. I just recently decided to try carving again and am loving it now that I am a little wiser on the subject. I could name a hundred mistakes that I made in that knot from what type of wood I used all the way up to the finish. It sits on my carving table in my garage so that I see it when I sit down to carve. It always reminds me of where I was as a carver, how far I have come, and pushes me to go farther.

[ABitoSlo]

Wayne - you pretty much nailed how I feel about the firewood I'm making... so thank you for voicing it. I was kinda thinking of just putting it all aside earlier this week. Glad I'm not the only one.

So many of you posted your comments and support - they gave me plenty to think about where I want to go with this, and other carvings already in the works. I worked on it more this weekend not to try to finish but biding my time until I'm ready to start a new one. Thinks like practicing the hook shape, "twisting" the links a little, repair practice, and even paint practice. There is lots of different grain characteristics and I can try some rusty red and black tones.