How I make fused copper jump rings!
 

I made this short tutorial today on how I make fused copper jump rings. I hope you enjoy! :smile:

Step 1.
Using round object, wrap around several inches of 16-gauge copper wire.
The length of copper wire depends on the size and amount of the jump
rings needed.

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...100_9773-1.jpg


Step 2.
Using flush-nose cutters, cut each ring from the coil just made.

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...100_9775-1.jpg


Step 3.
If needed, file both ends of the jump ring. Do not pull the jump rings
open as this will misshape the rings. Using a side to side motion close
each jump ring until both ends are completely touching and there is no
gaps or spaces.

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...100_9778-1.jpg


Step 4.
Have a bowl of cool water in reach while fusing. Light the torch and hold
the copper jump ring with an old pair of tweezers.
Wave the jump ring in the flame to heat the entire piece. Place the cut
section of the jump ring into the tip of the blue cone in the flame. This is
the hottest part of the flame!
The ends will start to glow red and you will notice them melting or fusing
together. This can happen quickly so you will need to be ready. The cut
section will suddenly disappear once its fused as shown in the second
photo. Quickly remove from the ring from the flame and put in the cool
water.

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...100_9781-1.jpg

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...100_9783-1.jpg


Step 5.
Put the jump rings in pickle to remove all the dark fire scale.
I use a homemade version! Mix a 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 of vinegar in
an old sauce pan or metal bowl. Heat the mixture to a slow simmer, and
add a teaspoon of table salt. Add your jump rings to the pickle and let
simmer on the lowest heat for 1-2 minutes. Remove the rings with
tweezers and rinse!
In this photo is 3 jump rings after they have been fused and cleaned using
the homemade pickle. Inside the black marks at the top of each ring is
the section of the jump ring that was fused together.

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...100_9788-1.jpg


Step 6.
The jump rings will be very soft! Using a chasing-hammer and steel-block
or anvil, gently hammer each ring to flatten and harden. You may also
tumble in a tumbler for several hours if you don't want the rings
flattened.

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...100_9789-1.jpg

Very cool! Thank you!

Thank you!

Wonderful, Julie! Thanks for sharing!

I have it in a pdf file if anyone would like it sent to their e-mail address. Just pm me and I'll send it. Wasn't sure how to post the pdf directly for anyone to get.

I forgot to mention that I'm using my "Hot Head" torch to fuse with.

Thanks for sharing this, Julie! =]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this and post it.
Janet C.

Awesome Julie! You rock! Have you tried making a fused chain with them??? Just wondering how that would work.

Wow thanks for posting this. Awesome job.

Yes I have Cori! I fuse a jump ring then add another and fuse it. I keep repeating this until its long enough. You will need to have an extra pair of tweezers or old pliers to hold the chain out of the flame while you are fusing. I didn't try making chains until I had lots of practice making the jump rings. I burned through many jump rings before I got the hang of it. LOL

Thanks everyone!!!

Cool, that looks easy.

Perfect timing, thanks lots!!

So, what kind of cutter is that you're using? Does it cut both sides flush?

Its a Harbour Freight special! :lol: It cuts one side flush but the other side is angled. I have to do a little filing but not much.

Cool - thanks! :)

Thank you for sharing!

This is just perfect! Thank you so much for posting it!

Wow, thanks! Silly question - does this work with silver, too?

Thank you for sharing this with us! Uh Oh something new to try.

Oh, my! This is WONDERFUL!!! Smooches to you for sharing, and the pictures are GREAT! I use this same technique to fuse my Pure Silver jump rings, except I use a tiny "pencil torch" to do a fine point flame. They are also very inexpensive; I got mine on eBay for just a couple bucks! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Butane-Pencil-To...item230f645996)

And I have a Hot Head too! I can't wait to try this out!!!

Wow thanks Jewlie! I've also just ordered a pencil tip butane torch from eBay - thanks DeAnne! So De - can you also fuse fine silver wire ringsd without solder using this technique?

Thanks Jewlie! I've done this with fine silver (no need to pickle), but hadn't thought of using copper. Definitely will try this out asap.

Thanks very much, I was just searching the net for copper solder now I don't need it yay!

Thanks for sharing this-I love it. It inspires me to get to my jeweler's bench! Your the best!

Thanks Julie
Great Tutorial. I will be giving that a try !
Not to be a spoiler but, ventilation should be considered as well, copper fume is a bit toxic.

Thanks everyone!
I don't think the pencil torch will work on the copper. The flame may be hot enough but it doesn't heat up a large enough area to melt the copper. You need a larger flame to keep the ring hot enough if that makes sence. I use my hot head for this. You can also burn or over heat the copper and it becomes brittle. You will have to play around with this to see what works best for you.

Thank you Craig! Yes ventilation is important with this!

I heart you juliebees!!! This is an awesome tut!!! Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Big Hugs!!