karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 15, 2006 22:56:16 GMT -5
The books I ordered still are not here. So, I am winging it. Did print some instructions off the web. I used 5 strands, but don't want any foofy stuff. How can I keep perhaps 3-4 strands for the bail, and get rid of the others w/out little pointy things in the back? I thought about keeping 2 strands, attempting to twist and bend into my son's initial M, but decided to wait many more moons, hah! Do you bend them over, cut and then wrap the bale? I realize this is very simplistic. I'm attempting to give you pix of what I have done. Let's see if this works:  |
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 15, 2006 23:03:25 GMT -5
Well, on one hand, it worked. On the other hand, it's small. But, if you click on it, you can see it larger. Is that good or bad? Here's another 2 views, could be front or back, not sure yet.  Second side:  I really hope these images work! Mac person trying to get along in an IBM world, lol. Karen |
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 15, 2006 23:15:52 GMT -5
And, by the way, how do you actually spell 'bale'? Is it bale or bail? Or are they interchangeable? I used both, above, just in case. (Mom is an English teacher, what can I say?)
Karen
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Post by akansan on Nov 16, 2006 0:35:18 GMT -5
Karen, you might want to look at these two wraps by Cher: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=wwp&action=display&thread=1148059735forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=wwp&action=display&thread=1139780226Both of the wraps are the cleaner style you've mentioned (no foofy stuff  ). The second link there shows you what she's done with the back - as long as the front looks good, you can do whatever will rest okay against the skin on the back. I know on a few of the pieces I've done, I needed some of the decoration on the front for added support for the stone. I couldn't get my side wraps bracketing it enough to leave the front without decoration, even if it was a just small bit at the top. Basically, take two wires from each side (or one, or three, or whatever your preference) to make the bail. You can use one of the others to wrap the bail if you want, or you can trim them and use the cutoffs for the bail wrap. The problem/creativity generally develops when you have to figure out what to do with the remainder of the wire from the side wraps! |
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 18, 2006 5:21:22 GMT -5
Checked out Cher's wraps. She's a wrapamazonianite! Her back photo did explain a lot! Thanks so much. I can now see how the back helps create some stability for the front wires, and uses up the extra strands that I was not sure what do do with. Her back is gorgeous; the whole wrap is reversible. That's a new concept! Also, using one of my strands to actually wrap the bale (bail?) makes sense. I have done macrame in the past, and there's a kind of finish wrap that I'm going to try with wire.
As a complete newbie/wannabee, I have researched many of your websites. You are all amazing! I am so grateful that you take the time to help people like me.
I can also see how everyone is 'spending too much' on all this! Seems like we all get a little obsessive/compulsive! I know I have arrived at that point.
After researching, asking dumb questions etc., I'm putting all my "pretty rocks' back in polish. Noticed a few pits and cracks that could be fixed, lol.
And I'm going to have to order another tumbler, thinking about the 2-barrel Thumler, so I can do polish and rough at the same time. Give me a year or two, and I'll be ordering one of those vibe tumblers and actually buying rocks, or taking trips to fun rock-hunting sites! (Nebraska does not offer much, apparently, altho my brother swears he found opals around Bridgeport.) And I need some more books, so I can figure out what the heck kind of rocks I've got, lol. Ka-ching, ka-ching, the cash register is adding up.
Anyone ever get a tumbler from ebay? Or should I go to the source?
Again, thanks for your help and expertise!
Karen
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Post by akansan on Nov 18, 2006 20:50:39 GMT -5
Two of my tumblers I'm running now came from ebay - both Thumlers (Model T and AR-1). If you watch closely, you can get some really good deals on the tumblers. My two cost between $30 and $50 a piece. I had to replace the lids on the barrels, but that's it!
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Post by docone31 on Nov 18, 2006 22:51:48 GMT -5
I used to start wraps in the middle of the wire. I once in a while hit no-go zones. Now, I start on one side and finish makeing the bail with the longer end.
Ending the wrap is the tough part. You have to transition the wire from one direction, to 90* the other way, then making the bail and finishing the wrap.
I usually leave 1 1/2" and then start the wrap. That extra I make fancy off that side. I leave it vertical, then bend it over to lock the bail wrap. Then do what ever strikes my fancy on the finish.
When I had too much wire on both ends I ended up with almost a braid and it never looked good enough to me.
Just my 2C.
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Post by hermatite on Nov 19, 2006 10:31:57 GMT -5
oh hey...I never thought of starting on one side and am constantly frustrated by the amount of wire I cut off and "waste" (really I waste very little because i use the leftover bits to incorporate into beaded chains). Thanks doc...I'm going to give your method a shot.
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 20, 2006 2:48:56 GMT -5
The wrap info makes sense. I guess I'm a left-brainer, lol. Tried to start in the middle the first time, ended up with several inches on the right and none on the left. So the next time (pix above) I made sure I started, and ended, in the middle! Then did not know what do do!
As to the books I orderd, I guess it takes a LITTLE MORE TIME for books to get here from the UK, which is where my books are coming from.
That's OK, my college son called Friday, he's bringing his girlfriend home for Thanksgiving (!!!), so all I've been doing is cleaning up all the rock stuff I've piled in the extra room, and making sure the house is clean enough for girl guests. Guess I'll have to move the tumbler back out to the garage.
Life is always fun!
Hope the girlfriend likes to hunt and shoot!
How are you all celebrating Thanksgiving?
Karen
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 21, 2006 17:57:09 GMT -5
Bernies lapidary is where I got my wire wrapping book from, I received it in just three days. They also have a bunch of wire wrap tools, all you could ever need. www.bernieslapidary.com |
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). The second link there shows you what she's done with the back - as long as the front looks good, you can do whatever will rest okay against the skin on the back.
