Hi All...

Anyone out there have any experience with jump ringers/makers?  I'm looking for one under $200 that I can use with a Foredom #30 handpiece (and flexshaft), and with the largest diameter mandrels I can get.  I need it all--the blade guard and guide, coil holder, arbor, and winder.  I decided to look for a set after I tried cutting the coil with my diamond wheel:  I taped the coil to the wooden dowel (held down by a vise) that I wound it around by hand, put my safety glasses on, and held onto it for dear life (meaning the life of my fingers).  I decided it wasn't worth getting stitches or cutting a finger off (I could probably have it reattached-but I hate insurance paperwork! ), plus, I have orders to fill.

I appreaciate any help...Thanks! 

Betsy 

I use Dave Arens' Koil Kutter system. You can get lots of mandrels, in metric and in imperial.

 gemstonesetc@gainusa.com

 If you have a cordless drill, you don't need a winder.  Mandrels are transfer punches and aluminum knitting needles - if you use both, you will have both fractions and mm sizes. 

I teach chain maille workshops and make chains to sell; I've cut at least 10 pounds of (copper and sterling), rings over the last couple of years using my old, dirty, cordless Makita drill, flexshaft, transfer punch/knitting needle mandrels and Dave Aren's Koil Kutter.  I haven't used any of the other generic jump ring cutting systems, but I've read some people are unhappy with the Pepe version.   

I have used the standard Jumpringer and the Koil Kutter with my Foredom;  the main difference is the standard Jumpringer has an aluminum blade cover and, the Koil Kutter's blade cover is pvc.   The end result is exactly the same, perfectly flush cut rings with no burs.  You can buy a long coil holder and long mandrels for both systems, the Jumpringer has an additionally set of mandrels and coil holder you can buy for different shaped rings (diamond, square, oval) which is not available for the Koil Kutter.  Also, there is a new Jumpringer than can cut all metals - platinum, steel & aluminum, in addition to gold, copper, silver.

I only cut copper, gold and silver, so the new Jumpringer system is of no interest to me.  You can buy the Koil Kutter for under $100 from Dave Arens. 

 The Pepetools Jump Ring Maker is available from dozens of suppliers around the country for around $150.  It includes a coil winder with keyless chuck, milled steel mandrels from 2.5 to 12mm in .5mm increments, a universal coil holder that will hold all sizes of coils in one slot, a milled handpiece holder designed to accept a Foredom #30 handpiece, a blade arbor and 1.25" blade and it comes with a convenient wooden base that holds all the pieces in place. 

I've cut thousands of jump rings with our system at shows and am available for support anytime via phone or email.  405-745-4054 stromberg@pepetools.com

I use the Koil Kutter from Dave Arens, such a nice guy. I have a Foredom No 30 hand piece, and it works quite nicely. I also purchased a mandrel set and winder from him at the same time. I don't make tons and tons of rings, so I find the manual winder perfect for my needs. The mandrel set goes from 2mm to 12 or 13mm, each increasing by 1/2 mm. I can't remember how much I spent total, but it was right about $100-$130 for all of it. The Koil Kutter alone was around $70.

 
Here's the info I have in my handheld for him: 

Dave Arens
Gemstones Etc.
3649 N. Pellegrino Drive
Tucson AZ 85749
520-749-2413
 

However, I believe his wife recently passed away (within the past few weeks, I'm pretty sure) so I'm not sure if he's filling orders right now.

Thanks to all of you for your input...I've got a lot to chew on!

Betsy