What should I use to smooth and deburr jump rings after sawing? I started looking at barrette files and Foredom tips, but was confronted with a bewildering array of choices.

If I should use a barrette file, what "cut" and size is useful for this purpose? If the Foredom is a better choice--well, I haven't yet learned the purpose of the different tips that came bundled with it. Any recommendations?

Janet

Hi Janet,

I don't know how smooth the surface of the cut is if you are hand sawing the rings.  When I cut rings with the Koil Kutter the ends of the wire are smooth, even though there appear to be burrs they are on the outside edge of the cuts and do not interfer with closing the ring tightly.  They come off during the tumbling to burnish the final chain.

hi janet,

 first of all what are you using to cut your jump rings.  i use a koil cutter most of the time and then throw them in the tumbler after cutting them.  i went with the koil cutter because of the price and also that i can use it with a corded dremel.  if i only need a few, i usually cut them with a jeweler's saw.  one of the most valuable finishing pads  i use is a set of sanding pads from micro-mark.  the description of them is micro-mesh soft-touch polishing pads.  the part # is 81601.  i use them for many different purposes and they work wonderfully.