Hi all

it's not easy to describe my question without revealing any secrets...

I'v been reading, watching, thinking and building about linking rings the last week.

After I builted me two pairs of tiny linking rings and looking at my purchased ones, I was wondering how to make the perfect "key" to the key ring.

Wich shape of the "key" would be perfect for a smooth handling?
I'm talking about the traditional "key". No mechanics involved.

Any ideas?

Greets
Elrondo

My first thought it just to have rounded edges where you need them. It's amazing how much it can smooth out your movements. Even the smallest little edge can cause a slight hiccup.

TY Chris
I think I will give the rounded edges a try.
I made one with 45 degrees angles, feels very comfortable but needs a perfect positioned grip to work smooth.

One of my purchased ones have overlapping edges. I don't like this style and
feel uncomfortable. Maybe I'm doing something wrong or it will need that much more
practise to handle it smooth.

Regards
Elrondo

Rounding the edges works like a charm and really helps. I did this to mine in the early 80's and makes the moves easier.

Good idea. Should make the links and unlinks easier.

I would file the part shorter and open up the throat and make the diameter the same as the others.

I believe it is better to Not argue with the key but make it an easy worker.


Obviously Observation:
If you make the key too big it can be seen. This last sentence ( this one, right here ) is written for anyone wanting to comment on the previous sentence (the obvious observation) because I imagine there is someone just chomping at the bit to point out the obvious.

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Side note: I found some small rings (several months months ago) Jim Swoger was making ( about 40 years earlier) in a box, and I'm picking up where he left off.

Other Side Note, the gold rings in the photo (looking very nice) are approximately the same size as Dai Vernon's presentation rings hanging in the museum down in the Magic Castleâ„¢

Jay,

I made a nice key to all of my rings now with rounded edges.

Can you post a pic of Jim Swogers rings?

Are you talking about my gold rings?

No pictures of Swogers rings but they are thinner. Yes, your gold rings look nice.

I found some stainless steel 12" rings on sale that I picked up for Pop Haydn's 4 ring routine. Went with stainless as have heard chrome plating will flake off and cause problems (including story from Pop about volunteer cutting herself).

When I got the rings the key literally had a slit cut in it. No width to it at all. Fortunately in his DVD, Pop mentions the opening should be equal to 3 times the width of the rings...this will help with crash and catch links. So got out my trusty dremel and widened the opening. But still have some problems with catch links. Now thinking it's because I kept edges straight. Will round them a bit and see how it goes.