Can anyone tell me how to stop “popping” links when I go to twist the links for a Cuban link bracelet or necklace? I am using hard solder on the links and anneal the chain before twisting. This is very frustrating as I don’t want to have to keep soldering. Just want the process to run a little smoother.
Hello- I taught a jewellery course for 29 years. One of the projects students made was a twisted curb chain. I had them place copper sheet folded and placed in a mounted bench vise. Attach a long copper wire to each end of the chain- just loop a long length through.
Place the first half of an end link in the vise between the copper plates(they protect the chain from metal impressions from steel jaws of the vise and also help hold it in place.
Using flat brass lined parallel jaws grab the link extending from the vise. Keep tight tension on the chain by pulling the chain tight with one hand. Twist the next few links.
Move the chain along in the vise keeping it tight and straight with the copper wires. The twisted links will move along through the vise as you twist and move the chain along. Keeps the links from over twisting in spots and less stress on solder joints.
Of course the very first step before all the twisting is soldering links fitted exceptionally well together. The solder joints should be orientated to the ends of the link where less distortion happens in the twisting motion, and the seam is hidden.
Hope this makes sense. Instructions are hard to write.
Karen.
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Thank you, that helps a great deal
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