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Jump Rings |
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"All art movements tend to the pursuit
of novelty, but the true essence of beauty can exist only where
the distinction between the old and the new has been eliminated".
Soetsu Yanagi, The Unknown Craftsman |
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16 gauge wire makes nice, strong jump rings that are easy to
manipulate. 18 gauge wire makes rather flimsy jump rings that
can be made stronger if you use two at a time. 14 gauge is useful
if you are making a little larger jump ring. |
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What You Need
- Round nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Flat nose pliers
- Chain nose pliers
- Mandrel
- 16 gauge copper wire
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Remember to click on the small photos below to see an enlargement. |
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Step 1. |
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Wrap wire around a mandrel to make a coil. I use a wire winder
because it is fast and almost effortless. |
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As an alternative, wood dowels in different sizes make good mandrels. Keep
a tail so that you have something to hang onto as you wrap. It
is easier to wrap if you wind closer to onet end of the dowel.
Don't wrap it too tight or you'll never get the coil off. |
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And, in a pinch use your round nose pliers. Follow a guideline
made with the Sharpie. Notice how the coil is moving up on the
pliers. If you coil down, well, you'll see what happens...... |
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Step 2. |
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With your chain nose pliers, gently pull the coil apart so it
will be easier for you to make your cuts. Blunt cut the end of
the coil with your wire cutters. Reverse your pliers so that
the other end of your jump ring will also have a blunt cut. Snip
right next to where the end of the coil is so that you make a
full circle. You have now made one jump ring. To continue, repeat
the same process. Blunt cut the end, reverse your pliers and
snip off your jump ring. |
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Step 3. |
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Grip each end of the jump ring with you chain nose pliers and
your flat nose pliers. In opposite directions rock each end of
the jump ring back and forth a few times to work harden the metal. When
you want to open and close jump rings use a rocking motion back
and forth as seen in the photo. |
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Previous Page
Jump Ring Variations |
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Please contact
me if these instructions aren't clear so adjustments can
be made.
Click here to download a printer
friendly Acrobat PDF file of this page. |
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