Making a paper clip style chain

Andrea demonstrates the steps to making paper clip chains from sterling 10 gauge half round wire.
Tools used:
round nose pliers, 10 gauge sterling half round wire, jewelry saw, large round pliers for coiling wire, butane torch and hard solder.

[@amccaffrey1443]

Thank you so much for sharing your process. For a self-taught, beginner silversmith such as myself this kind of tutorial is like gold! Question: wouldn’t it be a bit easier to join your links before soldering? Or is there a reason for soldering first? Thanks again for freely sharing your knowledge and process. Your calm demeanor and straightforward technique is easy to watch and follow along with. 😊

[@amuckdesign]

@@amccaffrey1443 oh thank you, I appreciate that feedback.😀 mainly I solder first so that I can stretch all the links. You could definitely stretch them though still if you soldered together as round jump rings.

[@elizabethlamphere967]

Thank you for your tutorial!! I appreciate your calm voice and your amazing soldering techniques. I look forward to making this necklace!!

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you so much! Have fun with your chain making.

[@paulacorte3912]

I think Victor is telling you you're not giving him enough attention this morning!! Funny kitty. Nice chain too!

[@amuckdesign]

He’s definitely saying that! I should have left the camera on because shortly after all that talking he knocked over a tray of beads!😄

[@patredden4557]

Another great video, lots of information. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@flyingcheff]

Love minimal tool projects! Did you know that if you place the join at the end of the link (instead of the long side) any joins will be unseen, the chain will always look as clean and perfect as it can. I think if it as a freebie on finishing. Of course, I clean up all my joins. Great video! Thank you.

[@amuckdesign]

That is true! I really need to start cutting at the long end. Thank you for sharing this tip.😀

[@LittleCherryHill]

Looks awesome! Haven't made chain in a very long time and I would love to make a heavier gauge one like yours. Thanks for sharing your process :)

[@amuckdesign]

This one feels so good, the 10 gauge was a great size of wire to play with.

[@og4318]

Very nice...!!!

[@theglasssessions]

Thanks for the video. I like the technique of using the pliars to open the jump ring into an oval. Would it not be easier to wrap around an oval former?

[@amuckdesign]

It would be easier if you happen to have an oval former.

[@aumi.jewels]

Your studio looks like mine. I have so much inventory….❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@amuckdesign]

Ha!! I often forget where I’ve hidden stones,etc.😂

[@orit3794]

Thank you for this. Super informative and beautiful result. I assume you can make this chain with round wire of similar or thinner gauge?

[@amuckdesign]

Yes, you can absolutely make this with round wire. Thank you for watching!!

[@browndogstudio2356]

I loved this! I tried in both 10 and 12 gauges. I was wondering what tool/foredom attachment you found works best for cleaning up interiors of links? Did you patina your chain or just tumble shiny? I LOVE how substantial the chain feels ❤

[@amuckdesign]

Yay, I’m so glad you tried this. They really feel wonderful in the hand. I did patina and polish mine. A lot of times I’ll use the 3M radial disks in various grits to clean and get inside those links.

[@nickyanderson9612]

Hi thank you so much for sharing this. I have been wondering how to make this! I wondered how much 10 gauge wire you might need to make a 16 inch chain? Thank you 5:09

[@amuckdesign]

Thank you for watching!! I will get back to you on that, I think I wrote down a bunch of notes when I did this.

[@nickyanderson9612]

Ooh thank you. I am Uk. So would the round pliers be 9mm? 😊

[@amuckdesign]

@@nickyanderson9612 yes they would be roughly 9-9.5 mm.

[@amuckdesign]

@@nickyanderson9612 I found my notes on 12 gauge but it shouldn’t be too different from 10 gauge maybe a tad more in length but I used .6 meter of wire for a 16” chain.

[@nickyanderson9612]

⁠@@amuckdesign thank you so much. You have inspired and aspiring jeweller! I shall have a go at making one

[@AC-pf1ne]

so around the 15.00 min mark when you joined them together now having 7 links, I noticed you used flux but no additional solder.. is that because there was enough on there from the beginning? I do not know if I'm missing a step that you did.. thanks..

[@amuckdesign]

You are correct, there was already enough solder on them from when we soldered the ring shut in order to stretch it.

[@lenastiward8657]

So no extra solder required for connecting the cut links once again?

[@amuckdesign]

You got it, just heat and reflow the first application of solder.

[@lenastiward8657]

I love watching you work and you are just my style of jewelry too.

[@jeffreyschulz6096]

Hi! Are you using Dead-Soft?

[@amuckdesign]

I am using dead soft wire.

[@levijah1306]

🇩🇪

[@aumi.jewels]

FYI…your pliers are called bail making pliers…. OK not go back and finish watching the video.