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Thread: Jump Ring cutting

  1. #1
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    Default Jump Ring cutting

    I have to make a large amount of jump rings fairly constantly. I've been using the Koil Kutter from a chap called Dave Arens in the US but it's not big enough or strong enough to take the strain and is now causing more damage than I can afford.

    I need to be able to cut from .6mm Silver to 2mm silver wire in lots of different diameters and I've found a tool in the US called the Jump Ringer Basic MkII made by a gentleman called Ray Grossman apparently which will do the job adequately. The problem is it's only distributed in the states as far as I can make out.

    Does anybody know of a similar capacity (15 inch mandrels) piece of kit I can get here in the UK or of any distributor that has taken this product on over here.

    I really need to sort this one out soon.

    Thanks in advance for any good news.

  2. #2
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    You need to speak to George - she's around here somewhere...
    Di x

  3. #3
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    Well I hope George can help. I'm getting a little desperate.

  4. #4
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    Actually, these 'contraptions' make a big difference! I do a lot of chain mail land own a KoilKutter which is basically a mini Jump Ringer, I believe George does also. Compared to hand cutting when churning out large quantities of rings it makes a big difference in both terms of time and precision. Definitely not a pointless gadget.

    Yes the Jump Ringer is expensive, but so are a lot of tools, if somethings quite specialist and manufacturing quantities are low, production costs and there for purchase cost will be higher, plus, when you basically have the monopoly, you can generally demand a higher price.

    Bernie, when I bought my Koil Kutter although a couple of years back now I looked at other products on the market, other than the jump ringer the only alternative I am aware of is the Jump Ring Maker from Contenti, http://www.contenti.com/products/saws/400-125.html but doesn't have the capacity you are after.

    Unless as Ben suggests, you can make something yourself, (but not everybody has the capacity to do this, I certainly don't, in fact $400 is probably much less than the time, materials, tools and effort it would take for me to make one!) I am not sure an alternative exists

  5. #5
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    Actually Ben, no, I couldn't make a device like that and in my current situation with a web site waiting to go live I need an efficient way of cutting a lot of multiple sized rings and I need it pretty fast.

    A skilled hand is definitely not good enough when I'm cutting through a coil of 5 metres of 2mm silver wire as the cost of that metal is prohibitive if I have to scrap half of it and I need a perfect cut every time.

    Now if you happen to know and engineer that can make something that will work from .6mm wire to 2mm wire with inside diameters from 2mm to 6mm that doesn't look like a Heath Robinson contraption then I would be most interested.

  6. #6
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    Hiya Bernie,

    You can import a jump ringer, but it's not cheap and I know a lot of users who are saying they much preferred the original system. I suspect that anyone with a little bit of engineering skill could knock up an alternative for you for a fraction of the cost as well. The other problem is that it is a 110v system, so you'd need to add a step up transformer too. The replacement blades are pricey too! The original system is still available here and there (Connie Fox might have it) and the high production version is a lot cheaper than the new one I think - as long as you've already got a foredom.

    What problems are you having? I cut literally thousands of rings at a time, and as long as I keep my blades fresh and lubed, I have no problems with Dave's system. I don't cut 2mm wire that often with it - I still prefer to saw that by hand! I have also adapted the screw system as I found it time consuming.

    Have you looked any of the diy setups on Mailleartisans or (particularly) the ring lord forum?

    However, if your only problem is that you want to be able to use longer mandrels, I would suggest having a 'copy' made of your existing aluminium block in a longer format (I've considered doing this myself). Knitting needles (which are still my preferred mandrels most of the time) are about 13" usable length, so a block of 12" might just do it?

    Hope that's some help

    ps. do share some of your work with us sometime - I'd love to see it.
    Last edited by mizgeorge; 02-09-2009 at 11:39 PM. Reason: dreadful spelling!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by agent_44 View Post

    Unless as Ben suggests, you can make something yourself, (but not everybody has the capacity to do this, I certainly don't, in fact $400 is probably much less than the time, materials, tools and effort it would take for me to make one!) I am not sure an alternative exists

    That's my point entirely, if that contraption works efficiently then all well and good, that's more time for me to be making stuff rather than pulling my hair out over problems.

    I had a look at the Pepe machine but it's just not up to the strength I need. I'll just have to keep looking I suppose but thanks. I appreciate the input.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    I have also adapted the screw system as I found it time consuming.
    Do you mind sharing how? Faffing with the screws drives me crazy!

  9. #9
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    Hiya George.
    Here's a copy of the email I sent to Dave Arens.

    I need some advice.
    As you realise I've ordered quite a number of blades, a couple of guides etc. The reason was I thought perhaps I was being a little clumsy as out of every coil I was getting spit out end had blades shatter. I tried using cutting oil and blade lubricant, engine oil you name it but to no avail and I have from day one suffered uneven cuts per coil so the gap made from the cut varied from perfect to a 1.5mm gap where the ring especially on the smaller sizes, was basically useless and that variance was in a single coil.

    I persevered and tried constant adjustments to the guide and occasionally managed a better cut but then I've just tried some 1.5mm silver wire and it's been a disaster. I have basically shot 4 metres of Silver.
    At this point I began a minute assessment of the tool. I checked the motor and the shaft for play in all directions but it's well with bounds. I've checked to see the brushes were OK, fine.
    Next I tried the dremel with and without the blade and noticed a very significant increase in noise and vibration when the blade is attached so then i moved the blade by hand and found movement. Having placed the metal Koil Kutter guide over the Dremel guide as in use I found a blade sideways movement equivalent to around 1mm.
    Basically there is a distortion to the blade when fixed of 1mm out of alignment over 1 third of the rotation and that distortion is toward the Dremel tool. Is this enough to cause the problems I am experiencing?

    Regards


    That's basically the issue, I think it's a distorted arbor. I've had some good cuts from it but the last few have been disastrous.


    thanks

    Bernie

  10. #10
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    You now what binraker might be able to help (engineer) , i have seen a couple of these made from scratch but i am with Bernie sure wouldent want to try it myself

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