apalmy
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2007
Posts: 24
|
Post by apalmy on Jun 26, 2007 10:46:32 GMT -5
I saw the board on wire wrapping and just had to try it. So I bought some 24 gauge wire at Wal-mart to practice with. My only concern is now that I've finished a piece the curls are very soft and movable. Is there a way to harden them or is this just the way they should be. My 3 yr old likes it, but I don't want any of the pieces coming off if she plays with it.
Love everyones work and hope to have pictures of my own soon.
Ann
|
|
blarneystone
spending too much on rocks
Rocks in my head
Member since March 2010
Posts: 307
|
Post by blarneystone on Jun 26, 2007 13:14:26 GMT -5
Hi Ann and welcome to the board! I'll start off by saying that I'm no expert metal worker by any means but I do know that metal hardens when it is worked. Just bending the wire will actually make it a bit harder.
There are a few wire wrappers on the board that harden their wraps by tumbling them in a tumbler filled with stainless steel shot. This effectively hardens the wire, removes scratches and 'polishes' the metal to a brilliant shine.
I've never done it before but some of the more experienced wrappers swear by it....
Hope that helps...
Dan
|
|
|
|
Post by akansan on Jun 26, 2007 14:30:13 GMT -5
I'm not sure if the stainless steel shot will work on craft wire or not. I know it works with "real" wire. One thing I've noticed as I've graduated from craft wire to Hobby Lobby silver wire to "real" wire was the tools really did harden it. When I finish a piece now with the wire I'm ordering, I have no fear of the work coming undone or moving. I also think the wire I order isn't really dead soft though - it's not half hard by a long shot, but it is harder than dead soft. Anyway - welcome to the board! I look forward to seeing pictures.  |
|
nancyf
has rocks in the head
Wired Cowgirl
Member since April 2007
Posts: 629
|
Post by nancyf on Jun 26, 2007 16:43:53 GMT -5
Yep...we tumble! lol.... Anywho, not sure what kind of wire you bought...but even brass will harden in a tumbler. Course, hammering works too...but I dun't think ya want to do that!  If you've seen my other posts...I highly reccomed that copper be used for newbies. It can be bought at www.brandywinejewelrysupplies.com . It is cheap, easy to work with, and sellable.  |
|
kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
|
Post by kjohn0102 on Jul 1, 2007 9:25:34 GMT -5
I agree with Nancy-copper really is fun to work with and definitely cheap. Be sure to get half round to bind with and square to wrap with. Round is OK for practice, but you'll get better results with square for finished products. It lays flatter, and it can be twisted for nice looking embellishments. Have fun!
kj
|
|
