How to Make jewellery by Cutting Jump Rings?

There are several methods of cutting jump rings. One method involves using a side cutter or metal mandrel. Another is to use a wooden dowel or cut-off wheel. Both methods are useful for small quantities of rings. However, larger quantities will require a faster method.

Using a side cutter

• To cut a jump ring using a side cutter, you need to know how to position the cutter correctly. It is important to align the front and back edges of the ring, as you will have to cut from both sides. With this technique, you will have a round ring after each cutting.
• There are several types of side cutters. One type is a hand-held cutter. These cutters are usually circular in shape and are used to cut jump rings. The only disadvantage to this type of tool is that it can leave a small amount of waste and may produce rings with slightly varying diameters. For this reason, working goldsmiths also use other types of cutting tools. These include separating discs, which can give you ragged edges, and superfine separating discs. Alternatively, you can use a jewelers' saw. These tools are slower, but are much easier to control.

Using a metal mandrel

• If you want to make jump rings from wire coils, you need a metal mandrel and wire. Before you begin cutting the rings, you need to coil the wire around the mandrel. This will help you keep the coil steady while sawing. When cutting jump rings, you can also use a bench pin with a groove to hold the wire coil.
• Mandrels can be made of wood, aluminum, or steel. They come in different lengths and ring sizes. Some are marked while others are unmarked. Choose a mandrel according to its size and purpose.

Using a wooden dowel

• To cut jump rings, you need craft wire of 24 or 26 gauge, a wooden dowel, or a thin metal knitting needle. Start by threading the wire through the jump ring, then move it up the dowel one revolution. Make sure that each ring is evenly spaced. Next, thread a second closed jump ring onto the wire, and move it up until it reaches the top of the dowel. Repeat this step for the second row of jump rings.
• The advantage of using a wooden dowel for jump ring cutting is that it's more stable than a metal mandrel, and it's easier to handle. A wooden dowel will hold the jump ring in place while you saw it. If you don't have one, you can split a bamboo kebab skewer lengthwise and then insert it into the coil.

Using a cut-off wheel

• Using a cut-off wheel is an inexpensive way to cut jump rings. It can be purchased for under 80 dollars and is easy to use. It is especially helpful for grinding sharp spots and removing bead release. It also makes it possible to cut a larger inner diameter jump ring.
• Before using a cut-off wheel to cut jump ring wire, you need to measure the diameter of the wire. This is often done by using a brass millimeter gauge, but you can also use a caliper to find out the exact measurement.

Using a Durston Ringer

• Using a Durston Ringer to make jump rings is a time-saving way to create beautiful pieces of jewellery. This tool is made by Durston, an English company, and includes mandrels with holes for securing wire. You can use this tool to cut jump rings of different sizes. You can choose between 20 different mandrels in different sizes, and you can even purchase replacement cutting blades made of high-speed steel.
• Using a Durston Ringer is also a cost-effective way to make jump rings. You can buy a ring roller and ring mandrel set, which are available in three to 12 millimeter sizes. The tool comes with a flex shaft, which you can use to cut the rings. Foredom also sells wire and cutter blades, which can be used with the Durston Ringer.