Twisted Wire Jump Rings

by Judy Larson

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

Twisting wire is simple with a wire twisting tool or most electric drills. Making open or closed jump rings with twisted wire takes your designs to a whole new level!

Materials

20 Gauge Round Half Hard Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-20H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $18.60
Gold Club Price: $13.95

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14 Gauge Round Dead Soft Argentium .940 Silver Wire

H19-14D

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $71.03
Gold Club Price: $53.28

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Tools

Wire Twisting Pliers 6 Inch - Pack of 1

G2-109

G2-109
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $22.95
Gold Club Price: $17.21

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3 Prong Wire Twister Head

G5-2

G5-2
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.97
Gold Club Price: $5.98

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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

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Basic Soldering Kit

G15-4

G15-4
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $58.95
Gold Club Price: $44.21

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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1

G2-503

G2-503
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.95
Gold Club Price: $14.21

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Power Max Cutter, Full Flush, 6-1/2 Inches

PLR-791.00

PLR-791.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $40.97
Gold Club Price: $30.73

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Instructions

Step 1

Start by tightly twisting two 20-gauge round wire pieces together.

It is easiest to fold a 48" or longer piece of wire in half. The looped end can easily be secured in a drill or wire twisting tool.

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.

Pro Tip: If the wire coil is twisted too loosely or too tightly, the coil lines will not be very visible. Depending on the tightness of the twist, the twisted wire length will be between 16 and 14 gauge in size.

Judy Larson's Twisted Wire Jump Rings - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , twisted wire jump rings

Step 2

Cut a piece of 14 gauge round wire the length of the finished twisted wire in Step 1. Solder the ends of both together with easy paste solder. Anneal the entire length of both wires to make for a smoother twist.

Step 3

Secure one end in the drill. Grasp the other end of the wires with pliers. Twist until the desired tightness of the coil is achieved.

Step 4

Anneal the twisted wire to make it easier to coil.

Step 5

When making coils, keep in mind the size of beads that will be used with them. Coil the twisted wire on the smallest step of a Small Wrap N Tap pliers for 10-11mm OD rings and on the middle step for 12.5-13mm OD rings.

Pro Tip: Make a larger twisted wire ring and turn into a toggle.

Step 6

Cut the coil into jump rings using your preferred method for cutting jump rings. The twisted wire coils are quite thick, so sawing may be your best bet.

Step 7

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 8

To close the rings, place a large dot of medium paste solder under the join on the soldering surface. Heat until the solder flows. Cool the rings before going on to the next step.

Step 9

If needed, reshape the rings 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 steel bench block.

Step 10

Use files and sanding pads to clean and refine the solder joins.

Tumble the rings to bring up a shine. Patina the spacers with a liver of sulfur solution. Remove patina from the raised areas, and tumble again for up to half an hour.

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!