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Daily Wire Tip Oct. 6: How Do I Make Chain Wire?

By on October 7, 2009
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
October 6, 2009

Question:

How do I make chain wire and what gauge of wire should I use?

Answer:

Chain links can be made using both round and square wire, however round is preferred. The size or gauge of wire used really depends on both the maker and the desired design. 16 or 18 gauge works well for a heavy chain; while 24g makes a finer chain that is still strong when small links are created, and most chainmaille pieces are made using half-hard jump rings in gauges from 18 to 21.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

2 Comments

  1. avatar

    nancy beegle

    February 6, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    I’m glad to see someone else asking about chain. Every time I’ve tried to make chain or other links, they’ve always comeopen, even though I’ve used half hard wire, and made small links. Why is this, and what can I do to make chains that will not come open?

    Thanks so much.

    ninib

  2. avatar

    shimrit hanes

    April 3, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    I make my own chains for necklaces sometimes and I use 20-22 gauge halfhard. I work harden my wire by either twisting it like you would square wire, or bending it one way round my pliers and then back the other way, or hammering the finished links before I link them together with jump rings. It depends on the project and the type of links I’m making.