Here is a split shank tutorial shared by @saltwater.and.silver - “We talked about how to prep a split shank, but what about making one?
✨comment if this is helpful!✨

This is just one way that I make split ring shanks, but it’s the one that involves the most steps so I thought it would be the perfect one to share!
And I think that most of us have half-round wire readily available to try this without needing to buy new materials.

✨We start with 8 gauge half round wire or you can do this with crazy 8. I think that 8 gauge is the perfect size to allow for easy sawing and a nice amount of mental on each side of the split.

Grab a ruler (I like to use mm), sharpie, wire, digital calipers, and a saw.
Measure and cut your shank, now decide how long you’d like your cut to be. I’m going for 12 mm here. Color in the length of the desired cut as you see above.
Measure the width of your wire. I have 3.23mm- do a little quick math and find the middle point.
1.61 is close enough
Now get your calipers measured out and align on of the points along the edge of the wire. Press down and score a line.
Do this on both sides.

✨Now you have the midline on which you’ll saw to create the split shank✨

Lube up and saw away.
Again… on both sides.

Use your pliers to open up the V shape (I’m using flat nose)

✨The most important part!
Sand away any saw lines or tool marks.

Now you’re ready to bend it in to a circle! Just like that! I’ll share another reel on forming the ring shank on a ring mandrel soon✨” thank you Steph for sending that to me and letting me share! I know when I was starting out making jewelry I was mystified by how to make certain things and I’m certain this video will be helpful to our community ❤️ if you have a tip and want to be featured please email me over at tips@metalsmithsociety.com with your video, caption and Instagram handle. Thank you!! #splitshanktutorial #ringmakingtutorial #howtomakearing #makingasilverring