Cotter Link Chain

Tools and Materials:
·         20ga dead soft round wire (1.5" (4cm) for one link)
·         Flat nose pliers
·         6 Step Barrel Pliers (you may use round nose pliers with 5mm and 2mm diameter marks)
·         Wire cutters

Step 1: To make one link, cut 20ga DS round wire 1.5” (4cm) long. Place the center of the wire between the barrel pliers’ jaws, just across 5mm jaw.

 

Step 2: bend the wire around 5mm jaw so the wire ends meet each other and form 180 degree angle. Both wire ends have to be the same.

Step 3:  Using flat nose pliers grab one wire end just by the “intersection” and bend at an angle 90°.

 Step 4. Repeat step 3 with another wire end.

Step 5: Make sure that both ends run parallel and they are the same length (if not, just cut the longest end to even both ends).

Step 6: Using the thinnest jaw of barrel pliers (2mm mark on round nose pliers), grab both wire ends and make a loop (eyelet). First link is done.

 

Step 7: Repeat steps 1-5 for the next link (do not make an eyelet yet!)

Step 8: Slide semi-finished link into the first link’s eyelet as shown.

Step 9: Repeat step 6 to make eyelet.

Step 10: Work in the same manner until your chain has desired length!

 If you use this measurements, 8 links=3”