GETTING STARTED
1. TYPE OF WIRE
----a. SQUARE
----b. ROUND
2. GAUGE (or thickness) is by number
----a. The higher the number the thinner the wire
----b. Make sure the wire size is correct for the chain desired.
3. JUMP RINGS
----a. Wrap wire on dowel or rod the size required for the selected chain. In
most cases; the larger the dowel size, the heavier the gauge. Light gauge wire
may need to be soldered. In some cases the heavy wire is soldered mostly for appearance.
4. HARDNESS
----a. Most wire used is dead soft. Wrapping the wire on dowels hardens it.
5. SPLITTING THE JUMP RINGS
----a. Without the motorized equipment you would cut the rings with a coping sawa.
The higher the number the thinner the wire
----b. The motorized saw (which we use in the class) is a much quicker method
of separating the coils wire into the jump rings. 6. Place finished jump rings
in container and label. Gauge and Dowel size.
6. Prepare links for selected chain.
----a. You will bend rings open.
----b. When you close rings file the burrs of where the two ends meet using an
emery board.
7. When chain is complete, polish it.
----a. Use a tooth brush to wash the chain with soap and water before polishing
the chain
----b. Place chain in burnisher (tumbler)
----c. After polishing (approx. 30 minutes) remove and clean the chain.
9. To begin a new chain you need to prepare a start. To accomplish this you need
to close a ring and attach a copper wire or rubber band to it. See FIGURE 1 below.
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