Hold up the pin and it is easy to see where to cut! Gravity is our friend.
I hate counting. But when it comes to cutting chain for your jewelry designs, sometimes you have to count links. After I’ve exhausted my attention span by counting out a section (look, sparkly crystal hearts!!!), I string it onto a head pin and snip a bunch more. This is the easiest way I’ve found to speed up the task. Do you have a better way? I’d love to hear it! ~ Cindy
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That sounds like a great tip. I’m going to have to give it a shot next time I’m playing with chain.
I just discovered this on my own the other day when I was making a bunch of dangle type earrings. The only thing extra I do is I thread both ends of the chain on at a time and cut so it goes even faster (two at once) – Anything to speed up the process helps! lol!
Smart! Thanks for sharing Carolyn!
When we made lots of filigree and chain dangles (the last time they were so popular) I held a piece of wire or a long head pin in a “third hand” tool so I had both hands free.
I never got around to making a jig with wire or head pin glued to a board held in a small vice or in a “book end” type of holder.
However you finesse this idea, it will make cutting even chain segments much easier.
Carolyn’s idea of using both ends of long piece and making 2 cuts at a time would speed it up even more.
Oh, why didn’t I think of that…. how simple! This will certainly make cutting equal lengths of chain a breeze from now on. Thanks!
It is pretty basic, but amazing how quickly you can cut equal lengths of chain using this method! why didn’t I think of that…. how simple! This will certainly make cutting equal lengths of chain a breeze from now on. In changing sprocket size, you will also need to adjust the length of your chain. The easiest way to do this is to purchase a stock length so you can cut the motorcycle chain to fit your new sprockets. Thanks!