Jatayu: Basic Wire Skills

Basic Wire Skills - Jump Rings

"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

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.

What You Need:

Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Mandrel
16 gauge copper wire

Remember to click on the small photos below to see an enlargement.

Step 1.

Wrap wire around a mandrel to make a coil. I use a wire winder because it is fast and almost effortless.

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.

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......

Step 2.

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.

Step 3.

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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