Wire Links 4, 5, 6

by Judy Larson

Category: Findings
Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
Skill Level: Beginner

This all started with a challenge to myself to use tools that I had not used in a LONG time and to use only what I had on hand - mostly wire.
Over a year ago I made a bunch of boho style links for a bracelet for a friend, and that was the inspiration for the link series that started because I had leftover rings from another design. Here are the first 3 of my series.

Materials

14 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-14H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $14.39
Gold Club Price: $10.79

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24 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-24H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $1.34
Gold Club Price: $1.00

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24 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches

H19-24SM6

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
Price: $42.72
Gold Club Price: $32.04

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Tools

Silver Solder Paste Medium SS70 - 1/4 T.O.

SOL-822.15

SOL-822.15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

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Wubbers Small Bail Making Pliers

G2-1301

G2-1301
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Wubbers X-Large Round Mandrel Pliers

G2-1304

G2-1304
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $35.97
Gold Club Price: $26.98

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Wubbers Large Bail Making Pliers

G2-1303

G2-1303
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $27.97
Gold Club Price: $20.98

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Premium Nylon Jaw Pliers

G2-35

G2-35
Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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Solderite Soldering Board 6 Inch by 6 Inch Soft

SOL-421.10

SOL-421.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.76
Gold Club Price: $11.07

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Magnesia Soldering Block

SOL-455.00

SOL-455.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black

TRCH-8010

TRCH-8010
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.00
Gold Club Price: $30.00

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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steel round bezel mandrel

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

Single 3rd Hand with Tweezer and Base

HOL-165.00

HOL-165.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.97
Gold Club Price: $14.23

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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1

G17-10

G17-10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $21.95
Gold Club Price: $16.46

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3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)

G5-15

G5-15
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $42.97
Gold Club Price: $32.23

Out of Stock

10 Piece Diamond Needle Files - 140mm X 3mm

G14-8

G14-8
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.57
Gold Club Price: $10.18

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WET/DRY PAPER 9 X 11 ASST- 20PC- 2EA GRIT 180-3000

ABR-500.90

ABR-500.90
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces

CLN-584.00

CLN-584.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $31.95
Gold Club Price: $23.96

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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR

CLN-163.00

CLN-163.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $17.95
Gold Club Price: $13.46

Out of Stock

Thumlers Tumbler Model MP-1 Rock Tumbler Kit

G34-101

G34-101
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $119.11
Gold Club Price: $89.33

Out of Stock

Stainless Steel Shot--Premium Jewelers Mix - 2 Pounds

TUM-125.02

TUM-125.02
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $67.95
Gold Club Price: $50.96

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Instructions

Step 1

Read through directions before starting the project.
Link 4 Make twisted wire lengths.

Version A: Twist two wires: Cut a 24"to 36" piece of 20 gauge wire. Fold the wire in half. If parallel jaw pliers to hold the two cut ends of the wire are not available, fuse or solder the ends together to make them easier to hold. Secure the looped end in the drill. Grasp the other end of the wires with pliers. Turn the drill on and twist until the desired tightness of the coil is achieved. Hint: If the wire coil is twisted to tightly, the coil lines will not be very visible. Depending on the tightness of the twist, the twisted wire length will be between 14 and 16 gauge in size. It can be used to make connector jump rings as well as links. It will be easier to coil on a mandrel if it is annealed first.

Version B: To combine the twisted wire with another wire, cut a piece of 14 gauge round wire the length of the finished twisted wire above. Solder both ends together. Anneal the entire unit to make for a smoother twist. Secure the looped end in the drill. Grasp the other end of the wires with pliers. Turn the drill on and twist until the desired tightness of the coil is achieved. This twisted wire can also be used to make connector jump rings as well as links. It will be easier to coil on a mandrel if it is annealed first.

Judy Larson's Wire Links 4, 5, 6 - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, wire links

Step 2

Use either twisted wire version to make a wire coil on the smaller side of a Wubbers Large Round Mandrel Pliers.

Step 3

Cut the coil into jump rings using your preferred method for cutting jump rings.

Step 4

Close the jump rings. Two flat nose pliers or a flat nose and chain nose pliers are usually used to close jump rings. To make sure the twisted wire is not marred, it may be easier to use two inexpensive wide flat nose pliers to close the large jump rings. It is important that the cut ends of each jump ring are perfectly flush or the ring seam will not connect well with solder. Make the rings oval, if needed, to make it easier to make the ends meet flush.

Step 5

Space the rings out a Solderite board. Place a small bit of medium paste solder under each seam and heat until the solder flows.

Step 6

The ovals can be pulled into a more round shape with round nose pliers and then be shaped on a bezel mandrel using a rubber or plastic mallet. Placing the bezel mandrel with the ring on a rubber block will make it easier to re-round the ring without flattening the outer edge as would happen on a bench block.

Step 7

If a faceted look is desired, lay the ring on a bench block and hammer the high points flat.

Step 8

Link 5:
Any size ring can be made into this Mobius link but each link must be made with three rings of the interior diamerer or ID. Make a coil with 16 gauge round wire on the larger side of a Wubbers Large Round Mandrel Pliers and another coil on the smaller side of a Wubbers Large Round Mandrel Pliers. Hint: Consider using twisted square wire for one or two of the rings.

Step 9

Cut the coils into jump rings using your preferred method for cutting jump rings.

Step 10

Two flat nose pliers or a flat nose and chain nose pliers are usually used to close jump rings. However, it may be easier to use two inexpensive wide flat nose pliers to close the jump rings used here. It is important that the cut ends of each jump ring are perfectly flush or the ring seams will not fuse or connect well with solder. Close one jump ring in each set of three. Open the other two.

Step 11

Space the closed rings out on a Solderite board. Fuse the ring seams or use a small bit of medium paste solder under each seam and heat until the solder flows.

Step 12

Hook an open jump ring onto one of the closed rings. Close that jump ring, making sure the seam ends are flush. Place the unit on the edge of the Solderite board as shown, with the seam of the new jump ring facing in toward the Soderite board. Fuse the seam. If soldering, lean the fused/soldered jump ring against the tips of a third hand on a magnesia soldering brick. Place a bit of medium paste solder under the open ring seam. Make sure that the solder join of the original ring is not touching the added ring or they may solder together. Heat until the solder flows. Placing the soldered ring units on a bench block will quickly draw the heat out of the metal to make them quicly ready for the next step.

Step 13

Each of us will find that we like to position our Mobius rings going in a certain direction. I like my rings to nestle inside each other as shown in the photo. I found that my left-handed students preferred the links to be nestled opposite mine. Whichever way you decide, make ALL Mobius link rings nestle in the same direction. Continuing to do this in the same manner will make it become second nature so you will not have to think about it. Add the third jump ring through the two joined jump rings, going through the jump rings at the "X." Close the jump ring, making sure the seam ends are flush.

Step 14

Make sure that any solder joins are not touching each other or the added ring or they may solder together. Using one of the set-ups shown, fuse or solder the third jump ring closed.

Step 15

Nestle the rings together on a Solderite board. Try to hide the fused/soldered seams. If very careful, the rings can be fused together. If notcomfortable doing that, put a small bit of medium paste solder between the fused/soldered seams of each ring and the ring above it. Heat until the solder flows.

Step 16

Link 6

Version A: On a Solderite board, stack strips of scrap sheet metal, about three layers thick and not too much larger around than the desired finished size of a link. Heat the stacked metal until it starts to pull in on itself. Keep a solder pick handy to move molten metal if needed. Let cool on the Solderite board.

Version B: Up to three jump rings can be stacked, heated and melted to make a ring similar to the one above. A solder pick can move the molten metal around a bit for a more organic look. Let cool on the Solderite board.

Step 17

The edge of each ring may be a bit rough. Use heavy duty flush cutters to remove any little pointed bits. Then use files and sanding pads to refine the edge and the back of each link.

Step 18

Now that all the links are made................

Pickle and rinse all the links to remove any fire scale or light discoloration. Rinse and dry.

Use 320, 400, and then 600 grit sandpaper or sanding pads to clean and refine the solder joins where needed.

Tumble in shot, water and a drop of dish liquid for several hours.

Remove the links from the tumbler and rinse. If the all the parts of each piece are still attached, the solder joins are likely permanent. If not, the old solder should be filed off and the pieces soldered together again.

Pro Tip: Wait to patina until all the links are connected in the desired manner.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!