Jump Ring Ring Tool

Overview

Use this tool to help open and close jump rings.  Hold one side of the ring with a pair of pliers, insert the other half into one of the holes in the ring and rotate the ring.

This tool is similar to the jump ring tools that you can buy, except the holes don't cut all the way through the ring.  This helps keep the bending location consistent.  I think the ring is best worn on the middle phalanx of the index finger.  I also created a version (_alt) where the slots are perpendicular to the ring.  I found this to be a more natural orientation for working with the jump rings.

I have only tested it out on 1.0 mm diameter brass wire.  I don't know how well it will work for thicker wire made from stiffer material.  If any one tests it out for other materials and thicknesses, let me know how it goes.

Example Models

I uploaded example models for US ring sizes 6, 8, and 11.  These models all have holes for the following jump ring sizes:

• 1.0 mm thick, 5.5 mm OD
• 1.0 mm thick, 7.0 mm OD
• 1.5 mm thick, 7.0 mm OD
• 1.5 mm thick, 9.0 mm OD

Design Parameters

In the included Fusion360 file you can select different wire thicknesses (gap_##_thk) and ring outer diameters (gap_##_OD) for four different places on the ring.  You may have to play around with the wire thickness parameter so it's not too tight or too loose.  It needs to be a little thicker than the actual wire thickness.  You can also change the ring size with the Ring_size_ID parameter.  You can either set the diameter directly, or enter the circumference and divide it by 3.14, like the parameter is defined in the example.  Depending on the jump ring parameters you may have to adjust the thickness of the ring too (ring_thk).

Other Notes

For jewelry, I only use this to open the jump rings.  When I close them I like to create tension in the ring so the gap is being compressed closed afterwards.  But if you don't mind if there's a little gap you can use it to close the rings too.

Feel free to modify and remix the design.  I do request that you keep any derivatives completely open (public domain).