A chain is a pattern of links

An anchor chain is one oval over and over. A figaro is one long link and three round ones. Hearts and rings, drops, figure eights, S-links, loop-in-loop – every chain is a short pattern repeated until it is long enough.

Linkmaker lets you build that pattern, works out how many links you need for the length you want and how much wire goes into them, and draws each link at true size with the pins for a forming jig, so every link comes out the same.

What it does

• The links – round, oval, rectangle, drop, heart, figure eight, S-link and loop-in-loop, each with its inside size, wire thickness, how many in a row and how far it turns against the one before.
• The chain – the length you want, worked out link by link from the real inside of each link.
• The wire – per link and in all, with what the saw takes when you cut rings from a coil, and the mandrel or ring size each link starts from.
• Checks – whether the neighbour's wire fits through, whether the chain will be supple or stiff, and whether a ring is too tight to close.
• Links, 1:1 – every kind of link drawn at true size with the pins for a forming jig, and a 50 mm ruler to check that the print is true.
• The numbers – the number of links, the weight in your metal and what the metal costs.
• Files – SVG to print, STL of the chain for 3D printing, and your design saved as a file to open again later.

Beta

Linkmaker is new. Make a few links and check them against the template before you make the whole chain.

Made for makers

Linkmaker is part of Silversalen's tools for silversmiths and hobby makers, next to Chainmaker for chainmaille, Boxmaker, Conemaker, Signetmaker, Ringmaker and Bench Mandrel.