After having made ovalish links with 4mm sterling wire(a job in
itself), and having assemble/soldered the links together, I come to
the twisting part to accomplish the curb chain. Following directions
from Alan Revere’s Professional goldsmithing, I attempted to make the
curb chain(which I have done quite well with smaller diameter wire).
The diameter of the wire makes it very hard to keep the links form
"kinking" as it twists(with or without lubrication), even after
frequent annealing. I am having a dificult time keeping the links
aligned. Any advise or comments would be appreciated, as a search of
the archives has been fruitless.
Jonathan, having recently completed a heavy platinum (Au/Pt)curb
link bracelet, I think I understand the difficulty. To start, I found
it easier to create round links, solder them into a chain, then
squeeze them oval individually. This seems to be a major pain but, if
you’re careful and don’t slip, you can arrange things so that the
solder joints are concealed and located at the point of least stress.
Always make an extra inch or so of chain as the ends never twist
quite as evenly as the middle. Then, it is most important while
twisting to keep tension on the chain. The heavier the chain, the
more it’ll fight you. Clamping one end of the chain in a vise, brace
your feet on either side of the vise, hold on tight, pull and twist.
You gotta trust your soldering, but clear the area behind you in case
a link gives out and you go flying. On my end of the chain I used a
hand vise with a mandrel inserted in the jaws for extra leverage.
Heave away. Hope this helps. Ken Paulson, Saskatoon.