PDA

View Full Version : Best way to cut through chain?



Milomade
16-10-2009, 12:44 PM
I bought 6 loose belcher chains from CG and forgot that as I'm not hallmarking yet, that I need to keep the weight of my items down to below 7.78g - So thought I would chop them in half and use the 12 halves to make bracelets instead and then order a lighter weight of chain for my necklaces.

What's the best way to chop a chain in half?
I was going to saw though the middle link, but it's really fiddly so thought I'd ask the experts first.

Any tips would be very helpful.

Ta

Boo
16-10-2009, 12:57 PM
Did you get a really heavy one then - as I'm really struggling to grasp your problems?

I use the '3' belcher chain I showed you and no pieces with it come close to the 7.78g limit - I think the heaviest piece I've made, with chain, is around 4g. That looped pendant on it in my album I directed you to with a hook clasp is something like 3.5g in total.

I just snip a link where I want it with my cutters, it's only loops of flat wire after all. Why did you buy it in 6 lengths - why not just buy one piece and cut it to your requirements as you go along? If you buy cut lengths it rather defeats the object of using it loose, you're throwing away that advantage. Or have I missed something?

Emerald
16-10-2009, 12:58 PM
Hi Milo if you are going to resolder the join then a saw is best as you get flush ends but if not then a pair of snips will be fine :)

Milomade
16-10-2009, 01:06 PM
I bought 6 lenghts because I wanted to make 6 necklaces the same lenghth - I didn't see the point in buying one long loose chain and then having to bother chopping it into six pieces as that way that's more time I've spent on each piece and I'd aslo loose a few links in the process. I bought the '4' belcher at 41cm long - each one weighs 8g!

So I want to chop them in half and make bracelets with them instead now.

How would I saw through links without mucking it up - it's really fiddly - do you stick it down to your bench peg with masking tape to hold it in place? I'd rather saw through it and then resolder.

Emerald
16-10-2009, 01:10 PM
I bought 6 lenghts because I wanted to make 6 necklaces the same lenghth - I didn't see the point in buying one long loose chain and then having to bother chopping it into six pieces as that way that's more time I've spent on each piece and I'd aslo loose a few links in the process. I bought the '4' belcher at 41cm long - each one weighs 8g!

So I want to chop them in half and make bracelets with them instead now.

How would I saw through links without mucking it up - it's really fiddly - do you stick it down to your bench peg with masking tape to hold it in place? I'd rather saw through it and then resolder.

Have you got any snipe nose pliers?

Milomade
16-10-2009, 01:11 PM
I have lots of pliers - no idea what any of them are called!

Boo
16-10-2009, 01:18 PM
I'm obviously missing something completely here. As Cookson's give the weight of the piece you've selected, why not just buy the lighter one at the time - you could compare weights before buying. That's why I like the 3 belcher, it's a decent weight and quality for pieces, without weighing too much for hallmarking. Each link will take several wrapped loops of headpins etc. - hence several of us recommended it.

But cutting it is a trivial thing, just snip one link on one side with your wire cutters - one length into 6 equal lengths, 5 links cut, twist open, drop the two pieces of chain off it, job done, save the wasted links in your scrap pot for something else. I can guarantee it would have taken less time than it has to type this post. If they're a decent size link, you can re-use them as jump rings if you trim off the pinch part of the cut - I've done that too with heavy chain.

Milomade
16-10-2009, 01:23 PM
I didn't think of the weight when buying - it slipped my mind - hence the cock up!

I don't have a lot of money, so any wastage is money wasted in my opinion, so I'd rather buy the exact length I need than a long chain and cut it down. I know I could add it to my scrap pot to use for something else, but I'd rather save the cash and buy exact lengths.

ben b
16-10-2009, 08:03 PM
if its 'fiddly' this means my solder shears, or end cutter pliers will easily cut through it, and i will loose two small links as im damaging two connecting ones, no great shakes.

If its bigger, and i can rotate one link round to expose the solder line, and see it, then it means it big enogh to cut through with a saw. i use the finest saw blade i have, and hold it on the bench peg, cutting very close to my fingers, of which, i now only have 3 (just kidding) or you could grasp the actual individual link with pliers and use the edge of the pliers as a saw quide. I have flat pliers i use specially for this, as obviously the ends and sides are now full of saw cuts!

Boo
16-10-2009, 09:09 PM
I must really be doing something wrong then - the links are about 4mm-ish, just snip straight through one side of one with regular wire cutters - you lose one link per cut - twist it open like a jump ring and tip out the two adjoining rings, each on a now new end of chain. No risk to fingers whatsoever, minimal chain lost, you can even re-use the link if you're desperate enough to save tuppence.

Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but I'm totally failing to grasp the difficulty of this.

mizgeorge
16-10-2009, 10:43 PM
Boo, me too ;)

Life's too short for me to want to solder a 4mm chain link back into place. I'd rather put in the scrap pot and reuse it. I actually don't consider that to be waste as I use pretty much all my scrap for something or other.

Ominicci
17-10-2009, 04:19 PM
Ooh perhaps we need a 'What do you do with your Scrap' Thread? As my little pot (spice jar size) is getting full now. I've ssen some 'scrap bracelets' where you just melt biggish ball of the silver and hammer them flat, put a hole through them and hang them off jump rings on a bracelet chain. But there must be other things? (Bearing in mind I don't have a casting set up...yet)

Boo
17-10-2009, 04:31 PM
If you look in the gallery my nuggets are all made from scrap. I'm wearing one now like the teardrop pendant - I got a bit adventurous with my size of nugget and before George suggested sweat soldering them to me, ended up partly reticulating the pendant in trying to solder it on. Hence I have it. The attention of a hammer and some filing made it wearable - for me, couldn't possibly sell it.

I love making something from nothing as it were. One person's scrap is another person's treasure.

Di Sandland
17-10-2009, 06:31 PM
How timely! I've spent this afternoon making nuggets out of about a year's worth of scraps - pickling now. That's one thing I love about this game nothing, absolutely nothing, goes to waste.

And isn't it a blast watching the silver melt! Little things...

Boo
17-10-2009, 07:32 PM
I love how that even if scraps aren't quite touching, as they melt they come together Terminator-style and melt into a blob!

Di Sandland
17-10-2009, 10:11 PM
I love how that even if scraps aren't quite touching, as they melt they come together Terminator-style and melt into a blob!

I know - now that's alchemy, eh? And the spinning - maybe I should be getting out more...

bustagasket
17-10-2009, 10:12 PM
do you just make little balls with your scrap? in what way do you use them? (i know noobie question)

Emerald
17-10-2009, 10:14 PM
do you just make little balls with your scrap? in what way do you use them? (i know noobie question)

JJ uses a lot of scrap to make his creations but yes you can just make little balls its called granulation and you can solder them on anywhere for deocoration etc:D

Di Sandland
17-10-2009, 10:15 PM
I'm working on the idea of making bigger balls (Geti, down), giving em a bit of a whack and using them as spacer type nuggets. It looks like it might work.

bustagasket
17-10-2009, 10:16 PM
Ty Jo, yeah i know J casts with his but i havent explored that avenue yet :-s so much to learn, but J's gonna show me that in the new year hopefully when we get together for my setting lesson :D

Emerald
17-10-2009, 10:19 PM
I'm working on the idea of making bigger balls (Geti, down), giving em a bit of a whack and using them as spacer type nuggets. It looks like it might work.

I make bigger balls (Geti down boy) and squash em to use on my lentil beads and yep it does work i also use them on toggles and i have just made some saucer beads with little granulated beads round the edge for deco to go with the rest of Beckys beads x

Di Sandland
17-10-2009, 10:23 PM
Cheers Jo - told you we like the same things!

Boo
17-10-2009, 10:52 PM
do you just make little balls with your scrap? in what way do you use them? (i know noobie question)
If you look at my album, the nuggets on those pieces are melted, polished scrap.

bustagasket
17-10-2009, 10:52 PM
Cheers Jo - told you we like the same things!

yes yes we have established that you both like balls!!!! #-oand yes Geti, - close you mouth and stop dribbling *passes towel* Down boy, just keep taking the tablets :P