Shape a Bolo slide

Creating your own bolo tie slide mechanism allows you to customize this classic accessory for your unique designs. Whether you're making a southwestern-inspired piece or a modern interpretation, mastering this simple technique will elevate your jewelry-making skills. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of creating a professional bolo tie slide that can be attached to the back of any setting.

Materials You'll Need

• Metal wire (copper shown in example, but sterling silver or gold-filled wire works well for finished pieces)
• Multi-looping pliers (medium size recommended)
• Wire cutters
• Saw
• Files
• Soldering equipment (for final attachment)
• Your pendant or decorative front piece

Step 1: Select and Prepare Your Wire

Begin with an appropriate length of wire:

• Choose a gauge that provides strength while remaining workable (18-20 gauge works well)
• For practice, copper wire is an excellent and affordable option
• Before forming, file one section of the wire flat to create a better contact surface for later soldering

Step 2: Form the Initial Loop

Using your multi-looping pliers:

1. Select the second-largest loop on your multi-looping pliers (not the biggest, but one size down)
2. Position the wire in the pliers where you want the center of your slide to be
3. Apply gentle pressure while pulling the wire to create the first curve
4. Bring the tool around in a fluid motion to form a complete loop

Step 3: Create the Figure-Eight Shape

This is where the technique gets specific:

1. Pinch the wire right at the point where the ends meet
2. Create a slight kink at this junction point
3. Flip the piece over so the first loop is now facing away from you
4. Pull the wire again while bringing it back over the top of the first loop
5. You should now have a figure-eight shape with two equal-sized loops

Step 4: Trim and Shape the Ends

Once your figure-eight is formed:

1. Cut the wire at appropriate points to create the "legs" of your slide
2. Hold the center of the figure-eight firmly
3. Bend the cut ends away from each other to create the opening where the cord will pass through
4. These legs should extend outward at roughly 45-degree angles from the figure-eight

Step 5: Prepare for Attachment

Before soldering to your decorative front piece:

1. File a flat spot on the back of the figure-eight where it will contact your pendant
2. This creates a better surface for soldering and ensures a stronger bond
3. Make sure the flat spot is positioned so the bolo cord will hang properly when worn

Step 6: Attach to Your Pendant

When you're ready to complete your bolo tie:

1. Position the slide mechanism on the back of your pendant or setting
2. Ensure the loops are oriented vertically so the cord will hang properly
3. Solder the filed flat spot to the back of your pendant
4. Clean and polish as needed

Pro Tips for Perfect Bolo Slides

• Practice with copper first: Master the technique with inexpensive material before using precious metals
• Consistent tension: Maintain even pressure when forming the loops for a symmetrical result
• Check functionality: Before final attachment, test the slide with a bolo cord to ensure smooth movement
• Consider scale: Match the size of your slide mechanism to the size of your pendant for proper proportion
• Finishing touches: After soldering, file any sharp edges that might catch on clothing or skin

Final Thoughts

Creating your own bolo tie slide mechanisms gives you complete creative control over your jewelry designs. This simple figure-eight technique creates a professional-looking slide that functions beautifully while remaining discreet on the back of your pendant.

With practice, you'll be able to create this mechanism quickly and consistently, adding another valuable technique to your jewelry-making repertoire. The best part is that this same basic technique can be scaled up or down to accommodate different cord thicknesses and pendant sizes.