I am looking for an item that I am not sure exists. I would like to
secure the ends of a 3mm rubber necklace cord so that the cord length
can be adjusted by the wearer of the necklace. I imagine a simple
holder that looks like a figure eight so that both ends of the cord
can pass through. Two of these would be used with each crimped onto
opposite sides of the cord. You could then slide the ends around to
adjust the cord length. Probably not a good description, but it is
the best I can do without a picture. Does anybody know if this
exists, or should I just make my own?
Are there any other adjustable length mechanisms that will work on
3mm rubber cord. I would prefer if it never comes apart and just
expands to fit over the head.
Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com
@Dan_statman
Something like this would be very easy to build. Just imagine a
’figure 8’ safety clasp in which the middle of the ‘8’ presses
against the rubber. You could make it out of a piece of tube. I don’t
have time to model it for a rendering right now as I’m in the process
of moving, but could do it in a few days probably. I do enjoy working
with rubber cord material.
Jeffrey Everett
Aloha Daniel,
Our company does not use solder therefore, we have had to be
creative in finishing jewelry with hand made wire clasps and figure
8 as a jump ring.
You could bend a small end of the rubber cord, wrap wire around it
tightly, wire from bottom up, lift the wire, slide chain large
enough to be grabbed by a hook or flat lobster claw clasp, then
make a figure end with the wire ending in the center of the figure
eight, pressed down smoothly so no one gets a poke or cut. From your
wire, allow the extra chain you select just to hang down in the back
for whatever length you need as an extension.
Use a medium size flat lobster claw, remove the O ring, and slide
wire through the end, enough wire to match the other side. You can
finish both sides in this manner, but it may look a bit off. If you
make a 16" necklace with a 3" chain extension plus the length of the
clasp, you should nearly a 20" finished product.
The holes in the chain are the links the customer will select for
the length that he or she desires. This can also apply to any type
of multiple threads knotted at intervals, cords, rat tail (but that
frays too easily), and braided leather cords.
If you would like, write to me off line and I will try to inform you
or sketch a design, scan it, and attach it to the e-mail file for
you to see. Just let me know if you need any more help and I will be
happy to assist you. Take care and good luck.
Waynette
HQCE
Buyer
Of course, as soon as I posted this note, I went into my shop and
just made the clasp I was talking about. It was easy enough to make,
and I was able to make it out of grade-5 titanium (same as the
pendants I am putting on the cord). Here is a picture, which in this
case is worth every bit of the 1000 words, or so. I would still be
interested to know if anything like this is commercially available,
or did I invent a new system??
It is two small solid cylinders with two holes drilled through. The
holes are right at 3mm in diameter so the rubber cord is a nice
friction fit, but will slide when pulled. The edges of the holes
have been relieved to eliminate wear on the cord. I simply knotted
each end so that it would not pull through and cut the excess cord.
By pulling the two metal pieces apart, the cord length is reduced and
by pulling on the single cords the length is increased. Works
perfectly, but I would rather buy them than make 100 of these.
Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com
@Dan_statman
Hello, Daniel!
I had invented the same “clasp” when restringing a necklace I had
purchased with a similar style - Except when i bought it, it was
executed with simply knots where the cylinders were - and each of two
cords was threaded side by side through the same end knot, with the
excess snipped tight up against the knots.
Although I figured out how the knots had been fashioned, I was never
able to re-knot it to the way it was before I replaced the cord. I
have also seen necklaces where both cords are threaded through one
washer, side by side. I have one somewhere, might be able to get a
photo. I was just looking at your photo, and it seems to me I’ve
also seen a similar style but flattened with 2 holes.
Yours are *really great looking - Love them! :o) I would also love
to hear from anyone who has seen these produced in quantity.
Cheers,
Mary Beth
Very nice Daniel. If I were to do this, I think I would forego
knotting the rubber cord and pin it into the clasp.
Jeffrey
Could you just have it cast in sterling? If you don’t want it to be
bright just put a patina on it.
Deb Karash
Jeffrey,
What would you “pin” the rubber cord with? How would it stand the
strain placed on the cord when the length is adjusted? Remember that
everything I make is in titanium, and if I am going to make these,
then they will be all titanium also. The advantage of knotting the
cord is several fold. First the speed, it only takes a couple of
seconds. Second, it is adjustable and replaceable by the end user.
Third, it is structurally sound and should not break. But if it does
break for any reason, then the second point comes into play again.
I am certainly interested in the pinning process since I don’t love
the way the knots look. Please explain further.
Thanks,
Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com
@Dan_statman
Hi Daniel
There is a certain German manufacturer who produces 18k clasps
attached to a rubber cord, and they use a very clean crimp on the
ends of the tube to strongly hold the cord in place. I’ve purchased
these before, and they work perfectly. I’ll have to go through
receipts to find their contact It may be a while because
I’m in the process of moving right now.
Here’s what I was thinking about with pinning. If you have a nice
tight fit of the rubber in the titanium sleeve or block, why not just
drill through with a small drill bit, then rivet with a Ti rivet?
With an appropriate countersink, and properly flared rivet, it could
be finished up to be practically seamless. The rubber is quite
strong, I don’t think it would tear.
I haven’t tried this, but I think I’ve seen it before. Good luck if
you try it!
Best regards,
Jeffrey
I saw an ingenious bracelet clasp one time that was hand made. I
can’t quite picture it now but the wearer of the bracelet showed it
to me and told me that the clasp idea had come from something
commonly used on a boat. A part of it could pop up and catch onto
another part and then be pushed down to secure it. It was so clever
and not like anything I’d seen before although it seemed somewhat
complicated. I don’t know any more than that but I wish I could see
it again to try to make something similar. Are any of you familiar
with boats and know what this might be? Annette
Jeffrey, That is what I figured you were talking about for the
pinning process. I am not really interested in spending that much
time on the clasp system for my necklaces. The knotted rubber cord
works perfectly and everyone I have shown it to has absolutely loved
them in person. I only sell a couple hundred necklaces per year, so
I will probably stick with this system and hand make each piece for
the clasps.
Too bad I just bought 100 of the 3mm sterling hook and eye crimp on
clasps from Rio Grande, I guess I can send them back.
I would be interested in the 18K ones that you reference, when you
find the receipts.
Thanks for the suggestions,
Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com
@Dan_statman
I would still be interested to know if anything like this is
commercially available, or did I invent a new system??
I hate to burst your bubble, Dan, but I was taught to make a similar
clasp arrangement in high school in the early 70’s. We threaded
fabric cord through sections of (silver) tubing then knotted the
ends. The first piece I ever made in its entirety used this method.
Sorry
Dale
Dale, I didn’t think I had invented anything special, ;-). But since
I can’t find it anywhere, and nobody can direct me to a location to
purchase it, I am just a bit surprised.
Once again, does anybody know where I can purchase these pieces
already made?
Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com
@Dan_statman
Annette, could that have been something similar to the widgets now
used on all the sportswear items that have drawstring hoods and
sleeves? That is black plastic, but could just as easily be metal
I’d think - the workings would be the same. You may even have one in
your closet. Someone called them toggles, but boaters would
certainly be using them on foul weather gear - they’re tough and
durable and hold those cords snugly.
Pat