Hi,
(This is my first post to the Orchid board, and I’d like to thank
all the wonderful people here for sharing such great )
FYI: Some of you producing jump rings might be interested that The
Ring Lord (from Saskatoon, Canada) is offering 18" mandrels in many
sizes.
The Ring Lord website: http://www.theringlord.com
I am not affiliated with The Ring Lord, just a satisfied customer.
I also find knitting needles to make very useful mandrels. I grew up
in the metric system and imperial measurements will probably never
become as much second nature as the metric ones.
Claudia
I make a lot of chainmaille and cut thousands of sterling jump rings
at a time (I use Pro-Cut on the coils) and the easiest way I have
found to remove the waxy build up is with a quick dip in an
amonia/water mixture.
I mix 2-3 cups water and add 1/2 cup amonia (from local gorcier) to
the water. I place the freshly cut rings in a small mesh strainer and
a quick dunk and swish with the fingertips (30 seconds or so) takes
the wax (Pro-Cut) off w/o any problems.
Remember to rinse the rings when done, the amonia will patina the
rings if it is left on for too long.
If you do this in your sink, don’t lean over the basin as you clean.
The amonia will burn your eyes and nose. And, when rinsing, don’t
loose any down the drain as disposals don’t really like jump rings.
I keep my “cleaner” in a small resealable tub and it is good for
months. The solution will turn blue with time, as the sterling “dust”
(left from cutting) gathers and patinas in the solution.
I have also use Simple Green in a pinch, and it works just fine, but
it takes a little longer to clean the wax. Plus, there are no
chemical issues to deal with.
Feel free to contact me offline with any other ring production
issues or questions.
Jeff