Jump rings

Jewelry Discussion
1

I agree with Teresa - I’d like to know where to buy the Koil
Kutter??? Gini in hot (tonight) Florida

2

Hi Gang,

  I agree with Teresa - I'd like to know where to buy the Koil
Kutter???

The Koil Kutter & other chain makers tools are available from,
Gemstones Etc…

E-mail, gemstones_etc@compuserve.com. A list of tools,
descriptions & prices are available via e-mail.

Dave

3

Hi there, I have started making my own jump rings and I put them in
the tumbler but I am not sure how long to keep them in there. Any
suggestions on time? I plan to make chains with the rings.

For how long should I tumble jump rings once I have made them?

Thanks
Peita

4 
    For how long should I tumble jump rings once I have made them?

That soewhat depends on the metal that you’re using, but I’ll assume
you’re using sterling silver.

Ten minutes should be enough to clean off your cutting lubricant (if
any). An hour will probably knock off all the burrs that can be
knocked off. A few hours will rub off pretty much all the tarnish
that is possible to rub off.

Try a few batches at different lengths and see what you think of the
results. It’s hard to tumble them for TOO long. The worst thing
that will happen is rings tangling together if the coil that you cut
wasn’t snug.

-Spider (needs to tumble a few batches herself)

5

I’d recommend making the chains with the jump rings before you
tumble the rings, then tumble the chains. That way the jump rings
are easier to open and close as you construct the chains.

Marcie Mullaney

6

Hi Peita,

I generally wait until I have completed the chain and then tumble
the whole chain for about 30 minutes in stainless steel shot with Rio
Super Sunsheen.

Cheers.
John Fetvedt
bijoux de terre
http://www.jef.com

7

Pieta,

It is not necessary to tumble the jump rings before you create your
chain, bracelet. Once you have completed the assembly and affixed
the clasp, them put it all in the tumbler.

If you are using steel shot and either a rotary or vibratory
tumbler, 20 minutes may be all you need. It is easy to take it out
and check. If there are a few rough areas or more shine needed, try
another 20 minutes.

HTH
Terrie

8

Hello, I’m confused… If you cut jump rings and tumble them, don’t
they always get tangled? Or should I ask how do yo keep them from not
getting tangled ? thanks

9

I thread them onto a piece of wire before putting them in the
tumbler.

Pat

10

Jump rings may be tumbled if they are slid onto a wire and the wire
is twisted closed when they are taken from the coil. They can then
be placed in the tumbler.

Again tumbling first is redundant and not necessary. that is a
given. Terrie

11 
    Hello, I'm confused...  If you cut jump rings and tumble them,
don't they always get tangled? Or should I ask how do yo keep them
from not getting tangled ? thanks

You can string them together on something that’s large enough that
they won’t slip off, like some of the thicker cable ties.

12

Before tumbling jump rings I thread them on a loop of sterling
silver wire. 24 gage works just fine. Or you can purchase some
large safety pins. Don’t pack the rings together too tightly. Allow
enough room for them to move. They won’t get tangled and you won’t
have to dig through the steel shot to find them.

Batya

13 
    Hello, I'm confused...  If you cut jump rings and tumble them,
don't they always get tangled?

They only get tangled if your coil was loose enough to allow the cut
rings to slip into each other. (Did that make any sense?)

With large, thin jump rings (like 20ga 5mm) it’s pretty difficult to
avoid tangling - you need a very steady hand when coiling. But
chunkier rings (either heavier gauge or smaller ID) behave
themselves much better. I have very few tangling problems with my
commonly made sizes.

If you’re only making a few jump rings at a time, you could always
thread them onto a piece of wire before tumbling. That makes it
really difficult for them to tangle and also makes them easy to find
if you’re tumbling with media. I don’t bother since I’m usually
tumbling at least a cup of rings at a time. No wire, no media, no
problem.

I hope that helps!

-Spider (jump ring perfectionist)

14 
  If you cut jump rings and tumble them, don't they always get
tangled? Or should I ask how do yo keep them from not getting
tangled ?

One way to tumble jump rings and avoid tangling is to string them on
wire or electrical ties. Use a gauge of wire heavier than the jump
rings.

This technique is useful for keeping small bits together of any type
when tumbling. And if you use a mechanical sorter, an electrical
tie will keep a tiny part from being sifted with the media.
Tumbling works great - just be sure you can find what you are
tumbling.

Judy Hoch

15

Hi Peita,

   Hi there, I have started making my own jump rings and I put
them in the tumbler but I am not sure how long to keep them in
there.  Any suggestions on time?  I plan to make chains with the
rings. For how long should I tumble jump rings once I have made
them?

Generally, if you’re going to use the rings yourself, it’s not
necessary to tumble them. If you’re making them to sell, you may
want to tumble them. If you tumble them before assembly, a ot of
time can be saved if you put a wire through the coil before cutting
it into rings. Twist the ends of the wire together & put the whole
thing in the tumbler. Depending on the tumbler you have the times
will vary. If you’re using a vibratory tumbler with assorted shapes
of shot, 1/2 - 1 hr is long enough. If you’re using a rotary tumbler
it may take 1 -2 hr.

Generally, the assemble piece will be tumbled & that is usually
enough tumbling.

Dave