Introduction: Make a Jump Ring Tool
I make a lot of chainmaille and it's always tedious having 2 halves of a hand so its hard to pick up rings. Now I saw these online and I wanted to make one of my own because it would free up one of my hands and I only need one pair of pliers to keep with my rings and I can just keep a little ring in there.
Step 1: Tools and Materials
Materials:
Piping the width of your finger of the material of your choice. You can get one from just finding one around and reusing/recycling it for this or you can get a small piece at a hardware store for like $.50 USD.
Tools:
Pipe cutters or dremel or saw or something else to cut the pipe with.
File(s), dremel with sanding/grinding bit or small grinding wheel.
Pencil, pen, marker.
Jump rings to use this on.
Pliers to bend the rings.
Step 2: Cut the Pipe to Length
Put in vice and use your dremel or pipe cutters or saw etc. to cut the pipe to about 3x the width of your rings.
Step 3: Cut Slot(s) for Jump Ring
You can have different slots for different size jump rings, but I am going to have one, but you can add more.
Take you're cutting tool and cut a small slot for the ring to go into just big enough so the ring fits in, because if it is too big, it will slip out.
Check the chart for your gauge of wire.
If you have insulation it will be different.
If you manage to use pipe cutters for this step somehow, PM me on how you did it. Include pictures if you can.
Step 4: Sand It
Now sand down any rough edges or sharp points if you used metal.
If you used PVC, use some sand paper or something to get rid of some of that flakey stuff that gets on PVC when you cut it.
Step 5: Use It!
Now you can use your new jump ring bending tool.
And why not give one to your friend or something because they probably take like 5 minutes to make.
And if you want to make it pretty, you can polish it with some brasso or something.
Sorry, I don't have my camera I usually use, and I can't take a picture of myself because the camera I have doesn't have a tripod. I'll get some pictures here soon when I get my camera back.
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6 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Works great for me! Thanks!
13 years ago on Introduction
i need to try one of theese. im tired of dropping 5 pounds of steel on my foot.
14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for writing this tutorial. I once tried one and I didn't like it. I always use 2 pliers. But I know there are lots of people who like the ring better. Thanks again!
14 years ago on Introduction
I need to get back into Chainmail.
14 years ago on Introduction
Nice work. Have you thought of using a plung-cut with a dremel for the middle of the ring?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
i haven't thought of that.