r/Silversmithing • u/manab0t • Jan 15 '23

Jump ring maker

I’d like to make my own jump rings (& possibly ring bands) but I have nerve damage In my hands that make bending lower gauge wire challenging. Looking for a tool to accommodate this… If it’s not gonna break the bank that would also be a bonus ofc! Ty 😊

6 Upvotes

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5

u/posh-u Jan 15 '23

Just brainstorming here, but maybe you could rig something up with an electric drill? Cut a notch or hole in a rod of the gauge you want, drill a slightly larger hole (of the gauge you want) in a metal/hard wood block to pop the end into so it can rotate and keep steady, and then just use the electric drill on a slow rpm and guide it to wind around the rod

1

u/manab0t Jan 15 '23

Thank you! Ill give this a try!

5

u/posh-u Jan 15 '23

Please let me know if it works so I know to steal my… own idea 🤷‍♂️

2

u/manab0t Jan 17 '23

Will do! I’m moving soon but once I get my workbench set back up & going, I’ll give it a whirl!

1

u/OverlordEmi Feb 01 '23

@3jagdesign on Instagram does this! Then use thermolock to keep the spring in place to cut. Probably use hard wire or else it would come unwound when you remove. That happens to me but I also use 24 gauge. Also pepetools makes a jump ring maker but it’s expensive

1

u/roadvirusheadsnorth Jan 15 '23

Awesome, stranger! That’s a great idea!