Tired of scrounging for little split rings?
Tired of buying $1 dollar-store lights just the get the split ring off the so-called 'lanyard'? ... Me Too !
Now you can produce your own tiny rings in a few minutes !:naughty:
Here's a pic of a couple on my keychain, on a SOG Micron, and an E01:
1. The Setup:
Go to Home Depot and get a package of little extension springs, like these: ($2 - $3)
Note that you want Extension springs, with the coils together...not compression springs.
2. The DIY:
Stretch the spring slightly to separate the coils. A couple of small nails in a scrap board will hold the spring open.
Using a Dremel tool with a thin cutoff disk, carefully cut thru the spring, cutting off about 2-4 coils. After the 1st cut the spring will snap closed, so a pair of needle-nose pliers with a rubber band around the handle makes a good clamp to pull the spring back open for the 2nd cut.
I used a diamond cutoff disk from Harbor Freight Tools...http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=31501 ... these work great and don't wear down nor produce abrasive dust.
Here's a pic showing the jig to stretch the spring and the "cut direction" to orient your cutoff disk so that the cut ends of the spring/ring lay flat and don't snag your fingers and pockets.
3. The Hard Part:
Because they're so small and the wire is so tiny, to get these onto your light, lanyard, whatever, you may need to use a magnifier and pointy tweezers to string it onto your hardware.
The quarter inch ones shown above are plenty strong for the job, but if you want more strength, cut off more coils, or get a larger spring.
Enjoy !!:naughty:
Edited: To add jig and cut direction info..11/24/08
Tired of buying $1 dollar-store lights just the get the split ring off the so-called 'lanyard'? ... Me Too !
Now you can produce your own tiny rings in a few minutes !:naughty:
Here's a pic of a couple on my keychain, on a SOG Micron, and an E01:
1. The Setup:
Go to Home Depot and get a package of little extension springs, like these: ($2 - $3)
Note that you want Extension springs, with the coils together...not compression springs.
2. The DIY:
Stretch the spring slightly to separate the coils. A couple of small nails in a scrap board will hold the spring open.
Using a Dremel tool with a thin cutoff disk, carefully cut thru the spring, cutting off about 2-4 coils. After the 1st cut the spring will snap closed, so a pair of needle-nose pliers with a rubber band around the handle makes a good clamp to pull the spring back open for the 2nd cut.
I used a diamond cutoff disk from Harbor Freight Tools...http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=31501 ... these work great and don't wear down nor produce abrasive dust.
Here's a pic showing the jig to stretch the spring and the "cut direction" to orient your cutoff disk so that the cut ends of the spring/ring lay flat and don't snag your fingers and pockets.
3. The Hard Part:
Because they're so small and the wire is so tiny, to get these onto your light, lanyard, whatever, you may need to use a magnifier and pointy tweezers to string it onto your hardware.
The quarter inch ones shown above are plenty strong for the job, but if you want more strength, cut off more coils, or get a larger spring.
Enjoy !!:naughty:
Edited: To add jig and cut direction info..11/24/08
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That'll do me for a while.
