Make A Beautifully Forged Sailor's Chain Bracelet - Part 1

Recommended Tools & Supplies:
Safety Glasses;
14 Gauge Round Copper Wire;
Pliers Set;
Forming Pliers;
Barrette File (4 Cut, 6");
Cross-Peen Goldsmiths Hammer;
Bench Block;
Clamp-on Bench Vise;
Center Punch; and,
Saw Frame & Blades
Purchases made using the Amazon links on the OJA website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com, help to financially support the OJA. On our website you'll also find links to products from Durston Tools that we have reviewed. Or, you can access Durston's website at durston.com/oja.
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Loop-in-loop chain making is one thing that the Online Jewelry Academy's subscribers really like. In this video, Professor John Ahr of the OJA teaches you how to make a traditional Sailors Chain.
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[@CheekyMonkey1776]

Nice bracelet. Thanks!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you liked the bracelet. Be sure to watch part 2. Also, we have other loop-in-loop chain tutorials included in our playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. 😀

[@wendyknoxleet]

You are a brillliant teacher. I have learned so much from you.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Thank you so much for the compliment wendyknoxleet. I try to do the best I can to be the sort of teacher that I wanted when I was a student. I'm glad my presentation works for you. Thanks for your support! : )

[@silenttraveler2710]

Another Awesome video you handsome sailer ... Thanks

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@thomasalanwoolley]

Looking good!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Thanks! 😀

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Thomas, I am having difficulty replying to you on Facebook. The answer to your question is... I used a 1 1/4" dowel as a mandrel to make the jump rings. But, I would recommend that you make a few short sample chains, using jump rings of various sizes. That will help you to determine what size you want to use in your chain. 😀

[@thomasalanwoolley]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Awesome, thank you so much for responding! Can't wait to also try garbanzo bean casting. Have a great day!!

[@spetruck1]

You're super fun. I like you lots!

[@LeeOfBent]

thanks for sharing this. Think I'll add this to my list of things to try out!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. This is a really fun project. I hope you enjoy making one. Thanks for your support! : )

[@pijnto]

We call it "Dunny Chain" it is the same style used for the chain pull on the old toilet cisterns

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

LOL! I guess you won't be wearing this style of chain around your proper friends. But I still think it looks cool. Thanks for your support! : )

[@tammygurl64]

This is very cool! My first chain was a variation of the loop-in-loop made from 20 ga 999 Fine Silver. Because I had not yet practiced soldering at the time, fusing fine silver was easier. Thanks for this tutorial. This is a great gift idea! 👍😊

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!😀

[@oniapleasants4787]

Oh Wow!!! Best video by far!!! Thank you John

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video Onia Pleasants. Thanks for your support! : )

[@BIGBUDDY291]

John love this chain, did you mention the size of the ring ? I guess you could make it any size you wanted. Thanks John, I look forward every Saturday for videos.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hey Buddy, The ring size was about an inch in diameter. You can make the loops any size. But, if you're going to use 14 gauge round wire, you'll need to make the loops at least 7/8" in diameter. Otherwise, the loops won't move ore you won't be able to assemble the links. Thanks for your support! : )

[@hoochsmom]

This is amazing. I have been wanting expand my jewelry pieces by making my own chains. That you!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Judy, Be sure to check out the other chain making videos on the OJA's playlist. You can find the complete playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. If you liked the Sailors Chain, be sure to check out The Ancient Art Of Making Loop-In-Loop Chains. Thanks for your support! : )

[@deby7821]

Love this John, Thank you again.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video Deby. Thanks for your support! : )

[@lnaperez6682]

Beautiful chain! Thank you

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@crystalfabulous]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video Diane. Thanks for your support! : )

[@marymartin-capouya2524]

Love it!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@smokesalot6]

Nice!

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

[@marciademond8354]

I thank you John I also enjoyed your video but was also wondering what size jump rings did you make thank you

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

The ring size was about an inch in diameter. You can make the loops any size. But, if you're going to use 14 gauge round wire, you'll need to make the loops at least 7/8" in diameter. Otherwise, the loops won't move ore you won't be able to assemble the links. Thanks for your support! : )

[@wendyannh]

Thanks for this, John, I’ve been reading about loop-in-loop chains, but not quite understanding how the links went together. And I’ve been putting off even trying it because of wanting to get fine silver wire so I can just fuse the links instead of soldering them. 😂 That’s a very clever way of forming the links, too! I broke down and bought a fancy link-forming tool from Río Grande because I know I’ll never be able to stretch the jump rings all the same otherwise. I also don’t have a steel dapping set yet, and living in an apartment, it’s not at the top of my list to buy. I’m trying to stick to techniques that don’t require any forging, although I love that look on these links.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Wendy, The OJA has another loop-in-loop chain project that doesn't require any forging. The video is entitled "The Ancient Art Of Loop-In-Lopp Chain Making". You can find it on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. I hope you enjoy making your own loop-in-loop chain. Thanks for your support! : )

[@tammygurl64]

You'd be surprised at what you can do in small spaces with inexpensive tools. I actually used my round nose pliers to stretch my jump rings and I only have a 2-inch bench block for hammering and no workbench at all. My first projects were with 999 Fine Silver because fusing was easier than soldering. Also, I use my kitchen stovetop as my soldering workspace. Gotta be creative! 😄

[@wendyannh]

@@tammygurl64 My apartment is actually huge, with no shortage of places to work. I just don’t want to make a lot of noise and disturb everyone else.

[@cleverkimscurios3783]

I really need to learn more about files. None of the classes I've taken ever went over them. My husband knows so I have in-house help if I ask, but I don't even know enough to know what to ask.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I'd be happy to try to help you to improve your understanding of files. Feel free to send me a question through the OJA website. You can also find information about the shapes, types and cuts of files on manufacturer websites. Thanks for your support! : )

[@juliegraham5033]

Thank you John. Great tutorial. I shall definitely be trying this.

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I'm glad that you enjoyed the video Julie Graham. I hope you enjoy wearing your chain. Thanks for your support! : )

[@beaddemon2572]

One I want to try and I have all the tools I need. Woohoo! 🥳 I also noticed you have T-shirts for sale now. Do they come in colors besides white?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Barbara, Unfortunately, the T-shirts are only available in white. I'm glad you liked the video. I hope that you'll give this project a try. Thanks for your support! : )

[@laurenyoungs]

Great video. Can you please tell me the diameter is of the jump ring?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

The coil for the jump rings was formed on a 1.25” dowel. 😀

[@laurenyoungs]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you so much

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

@@laurenyoungs You’re welcome. Feel free to experiment with the size of the rings to create you ideal chain. 😀

[@laurenyoungs]

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Will do thanks!

[@franciscomendozavillalobos7463]

No entendí nada se que es una esclava de cobre,si puede en español....Saludos cordiales de Arequipa Perú

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hola, estoy usando Google Translate para responder a tu mensaje. Todos los videos de la Online Jewelry Academy están en inglés. Pero, deberías poder encontrar la misma información en español. Espero que hayan disfrutado el video. ¡Gracias por su apoyo! :)

[@jennyjanes2742]

Has part 2 come out?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Hi Jenny, Part two of the Sailor Chain project comes out this Saturday, April 13, 2019. Thanks for your support! : )

[@RedSpiralHandTV]

I need to get soldering supplies...

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

Be sure to use the links in the video descriptions when you buy supplies on-line. A portion of your purchase helps support the OJA. Thanks for your support! : )

[@prizebondtech1427]

sir is there any machine or die available to make this chain?

[@OnlineJewelryAcademy]

I've never seen a machine or die specifically made to create this style of chain. As far as I know, this type of chain is always handmade. : )