Link forming tool

[LydiaNiz]

I'm fairly worried I have imagined seeing this little gizmo.
It was a hand-held gadget, simple thing under £25. Just helped form regular rectangular, oval and round wire links.
I was looking at jump ring pliers at the time, and usually am a Cookson/rashbel browser for that kind of thing.
Anyone have any ideas to save me going potty? Much appreciated!

[mizgeorge]

could it have been a multi-mandrel? they're only about £4.50 though.

[ps_bond]

http://www.cooksongold.com/Beads/Beadsmith-1-Step-Looper-Pliers-prcode-999-CB8C ?
Not sure it fits your description precisely though, I think it only does round loops in one size.

[LydiaNiz]

no, this definitely did rectangles too. Thank you though!

[Keia]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Econo-Twist-and-Curl-Coiling-Tool-by-Beadsmith-/221343206399?pt=UK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL&hash=item3389154bff something like this Lydia?

[Truffle & Podge]

I'm curious now lol

[LydiaNiz]

keia, I think that is the one! Yay you! I'm always looking for things that might make my arthritisy issues easier (twisting makes it screeeeam!)

[Wallace]

must... step... away... from... the... Ebay....

[MeadMoon]

Oh Wallace, you did make me laugh! That tool looks like a coiling gizmo but with different shaped mandrels.

[Goldsmith]

I use an old fashioned hand drill when making multiple chain links, this one from Amazon at £8 seems a reasonable buy;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-13841-Pistol-Grip-Drill/dp/B0001K9PG4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388827829&sr=8-2&keywords=hand+drill

The method I was taught when making hundreds of chain links was to lightly grip two pieces of wood in a bench vice, with the wire gripped between the twin woods pointing upwards, then grip the wire in the drill chuck alongside the chain link rod, then just lay the rod along the wood at right angles to the wire gripped in the wood, turn the drill, coiling the wire around the rod while pulling it through the wood which keeps it tight against the ring rod and gives uniform size links.

James

[LydiaNiz]

another excellent tip - thank you

[Keia]

keia, I think that is the one! Yay you! I'm always looking for things that might make my arthritisy issues easier (twisting makes it screeeeam!)

Yay =D Good luck with it. I have the same hand issues, I made things so much worse for myself by using my dremel without the flexi shaft or without using the tool stand. Little changes like that make a huge differance so I can sympathise with your pain. x