trick to opening split ring???

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Original Post

BigBrotherLilSister says

is there a trick to opening split ring ??
without stretching metal out..
tried split ring plier and it stretched out metal
thanks sandee

Posted at 8:55am Aug 17, 2010 EDT

Responses

NerdyTogether says

You mean like keychain rings? There's no real trick except not to stretch it very far to begin with. For example when you're putting a key on the chain, keep the smallest part of the key between the metal curves and work quickly. The longer the ring is stretched out, the more likely it is to form a memory.

I've always been a credit card person myself. I use a credit card to get between the splits so as not to open it up too far.

Posted at 11:35am Aug 17, 2010 EDT

brigit says

Split rings are always tricky to put keys on but the quality of the ring is also important. The very cheap rings tend to stay spread no matter how carefully you try to prevent it.

Posted at 11:39am Aug 17, 2010 EDT

Slade says

Rio Grande jewelry supplies sells an excellent pliers made just for opening split rings.

Posted at 11:56am Aug 17, 2010 EDT

clearygirl says

I've found that opening them from side to side as opposed to "out" makes them much easier to close again and it keeps the shape of the ring better, too. But yeah, a proper tool makes a big dif as well

Posted at 1:47pm Aug 17, 2010 EDT

panchromatica says

If you are talking about the jewellery split rings, then I agree it is best to open then not by pulling the gap open, but by bending from side to side. I have found that doing this a few times repeatedly tempers the metal slightly and makes it harder. If you pull the split directly apart then the shape of the ring is easily lost.

Posted at 3:11pm Aug 17, 2010 EDT

BigBrotherLilSister says

thanks you all ......i actually got so flustered..i used a jump ring for jewelry instead . this was easier but not great.this is my first attempt at making bottlecap jewelry
sandee

Posted at 3:39pm Aug 17, 2010 EDT

cardinalmoon says

Oh, aren't those split-rings horrible to open? I've bent/scaped/scratched many a fingernail trying to open those things!

Just to make a quick comment on the suggestion to use a credit card...Those rings are pretty strong and plastic credit cards aren't. You could break/bend your card or (even worse) scratch the magnetic strip on the back.

I've actually found that a butter knife works wonders b/c it holds the rings apart just enough (usually) and you can leave a project/knife on hold and come back to it if you want.

Posted at 6:50am Aug 18, 2010 EDT

StudioDax says

There is a standard jewelers tool called a "watch blade" which is used to pry off watch backs. It's like a penknife, only it has a rounded tip, not sharp.

If you don't do watches, you may never see one (large jewelry suppliers have them), but they are kinda cool - you never know you need/want a tool till you get one!

Posted at 7:02am Aug 18, 2010 EDT