Having got heavily into chain maille i am too making the jump (excuse pun!!) into cutting my own rings. got tumbler sorted and wire etc but what do you guys use to cut your rings. i am thinking jewellers piercing saw so you don't get squeezed ends and less burring but that seems like it will take forever! all help gratefully received.

Cheers

Do a search for 'koil kutter' and you'll find plenty of info on it. I got one best part of a year ago, and I love it!

Saw cutting is just fine to start with though! you can cut from inside or out (I tend to cut from inside just in case I get the odd slip at the beginning), and once you get the rhythm going it can be surprisingly quick. You can cut either on a notched bench peg, or in your hand - I use a ring clamp to stabilise the coils while I work, especially with finer gauges of wire.

If you get really into it, though, you will want a KK - which is just a brilliant little tool! I do still handcut small quantities, especially for very large rings.

There are lots of posts and advice on this subject if you have a search around.

george

Hello,
I have just got the Koil Kutter and Proxxon (bit like the Dremel).

It works fab!

It makes jump rings quickly and easily. Ive just tried a couple of different thickness Stirling silver wire and size of rings. It coiled and cut very easy.
(I bought the mandrels with the koil kutter)

They came out perfect and I couldnt tell the difference between my homemade ones and those shop bought.

Its almost fool proof and you could produce hundreds of rings quickly with it.

*I got the Proxxon as I hunted on loads of forums and some people said Proxxon was better for cutting rings than the Dremel (both will work ok though), things they mentioned was noise and dust. So thought I would go with Proxxon as I do mainly chainmaille jewellery.

My only gripe is I should have bought it much sooner. Ive been putting off for a year and now kicking myself.

Julz

Mmmm.. kinda went off the idea of buying but had orders for 2 byzantine bracelets in the last week so back to thinking about getting Koil Kutter again!
Are you still finding it ok to use?
Saffie

I cut a load of rings with mine this weekend. It definitely makes my life easier!