Bench Tips from Stewart’s International School for Jewelers

 CHAIN REPAIR  by Jim Stewart

Take time to clean the chain because the oils and hairspray that get inside the hollow links

can affect the ability of solder to flow.  You may have to clean the chain using a tablespoon

of Red Devil Lye to a few cups of water at 180F.  You will need ventilation while doing

this.  You can cut through one link on both sides using an ultra thin cutoff disc or you

can lay the gold chain down on a flat piece of copper and cut the links with an X-ACTO knife. 

It is less costly to replace an X-ACTO blade than a flush side cutting pliers.  Now weave

links together and solder using paste solder.  Paste solder is not necessary but it is a little faster.