Though you can buy pre-made jump rings from most jewelry suppliers, if you need a lot of jump rings, for making a chain for example, then you might want to make your own. There are probably as many ways to make jump rings as there are to cook chicken. In fact, I’ve already posted instructions for making a basic jump ring. However, after purchasing a ring jig from Rio Grande, my husband has perfected his own technique for making jump rings. So, I grabbed my digital camera in order to show you yet another way to make lots of jump rings.

You’ll need:

a bench vice
2 pairs of vice grips
large drill bit (Pictured is a 5/16 inch - 18 inch long bit.)
wire (16 gauge round is a good choice.)
hand saw & saw blades
bees wax
Brookhart ™ Plus Ring Jig

Note Concerning Supplies: First a note about some of the supplies used here. He used what we had already. So, don’t go out a buy a huge drill bit for example. Look around, and use what you have on hand. A large screw driver might work or even a nail. As far as the wire used, again, he used what we had and what he likes, which is 16 gauge round sterling wire. Use what you have or what is appropriate for your project.

Note About the Jig: Rio Grande has two jigs that are both made by Brookhart ™ and are very similar. The Jump Ring Maker allows you to both wrap the wire and saw the rings. The Plus Ring Jig does not allow you to wrap the wire, only saw the rings. However, it does have an area for cutting rings and watches, so that can be handy. This project uses the Plus Ring Jig.

Wrapping the Wire:

This first section shows how to wrap the wire into a long coil so that later it can be cut into your jump rings.

1. Start by putting your drill bit into the vice and tighten so the bit is firmly in place.

2. Now start with at least a foot or two of wire, and use the vice grips to hold the wire up against the bit.

3. Attach the other pair of vice grips to the other end of the wire.

4. Hold the vice grips attached to the end of the wire, and wrap the wire evenly around the bit.

5. Continue to wrap the wire until you have wrapped all of it.

6. Pull the coil of wire off the bit and prepare for sawing the rings.

Sawing the Rings:

Now you are ready to use the jig to saw the rings and finish making your jump rings. First, here is a picture of the jig. As you can see, it is a double ended jig and is bolted in place on our work bench. It swivels back and forth so that the end you are working on hangs over the edge of your work surface. You need it to hang in order to have room to work as you will see.

1. Wax the blade of your saw.

2. If your saw already has a blade in it, unscrew one side of the saw to release one end of the blade. Slip the coil onto the blade, and then secure the end of the blade back into the saw.

3. Now set the coil (which you just inserted onto the blade) into jump ring side of the jig. The cool part of this tool is that it has a place for the rings to just sit in place so you don’t have to worry about the coil moving around in your fingers. You still need to hold the coil, but it moves much less. (If you check the Rio Grande tool catalog, you’ll see some good, up-close pictures of both jigs.)

4. Line up the blade so it’s in the middle of the coil and rest the blade into the grooves which are on either end of your coil. This is great because it helps you keep your sawing straight.

5. Now saw with even strokes just as you would do without a jig. The rings will fall on the floor as you saw through each one. If you want, you might put a bucket there to catch them.

I’m sure you all have your own methods for making lots of jump rings. However, if you are looking to try a new technique, you might find this one works for you as well.

All graphics created by Tammy Powley.