10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Jun 24, 2009 15:40:04 GMT -5
I've reviewed Biker Randy's excellent tutorial. My wife has all kind of little pliers on her craft bench. What kind of wire can I use for pure practice on the cheap? Despite the tutorial I have really strong doubts about my ability to do this but I figure that it's worth a try.
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Post by akansan on Jun 24, 2009 15:58:31 GMT -5
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Geo-Ing Crazy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 238
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Post by Geo-Ing Crazy on Jun 24, 2009 16:15:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips and the links. I was wondering the same thing myself. I took a begining wire-wrapped beading class last week and made a bracelet. (My second attempt at home on my own didn't look as pretty as the one in class!) We used round wire for that project, but I'm seeing that square is what I need for the the type of wrapping shown tutorials here. Thanks so much for the links and the help. Maybe one day I'll learn something!
Barb
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Post by akansan on Jun 24, 2009 16:32:01 GMT -5
Barb, square is easier for stacking multiple wires next to each other like the border wraps most of us do here. Round works just as well, and I actually learned on round.
There's a bit of give and take in whether you learn on round or square. Some people actually find round easier to learn on, simply because you don't have to worry about keeping the wires stacked properly. However, the binds are easier to do with square. (Half round snugs up a bit more easily on square wire than on round, but you can tell when square wire turns between binds and you can't tell with round.)
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jun 24, 2009 17:24:08 GMT -5
I've used both round and square, and IMO, square is easier. The two links above are exactly what you need to get started, I ordered copper from Brandywine to teach my daughter. The copper wire they supply bends just like gold, it's good stuff. I've tried craft store wire before, I wouldn't do that again.
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10thumbs
spending too much on rocks
I want to be reincarnated as a dog.
Member since March 2009
Posts: 480
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Post by 10thumbs on Jun 28, 2009 17:39:09 GMT -5
The half hard half round was $4.89 for 50 ft. The dead soft square was $5.99 for 25 ft. So I ordered 50 ft of each. Do you use twice as much half round as you do the square (aka did I order way too much square)??
I think I have time to change my order as a message on the website says that they are on vacation this week.
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Post by MyNewHobby on Jun 28, 2009 18:09:56 GMT -5
10thumbs .... keep asking
I am a true wrapper wanna be .... as with all else I have tried/working with ... I just never know how to start.
Now that (hopefully) I can get the vibe under control I can really start to saw and work with my Gryphon to make cabs so I can wrap and cabs that I can send off to others.
I am still in such a learning mode, I look forward to other newbies asking their questions.
I can only learn more...
As always Julie
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Post by akansan on Jun 28, 2009 18:19:00 GMT -5
You use 2 - 3 times as much square as you do half round. That 50 ft. of half round will last you for at least the 2 packages of square that you purchased. When I purchase for teaching, I purchase 3 packages of square for every one package of half round. That allows my students (generally between 12-15 total for the day) to make one or two pendants (depending on time) and I have plenty left over.
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aunuts
fully equipped rock polisher
Some days are gold, some are rocks. Either is cool.
Member since March 2006
Posts: 1,110
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Post by aunuts on Jun 28, 2009 19:44:49 GMT -5
Hi 10 Thumbs,
It also depends on your wrapping style. I do a lot of wrapping on my wraps, & think I actually use more 1/2 round than square. It's just going to take a little experimenting. Really doesn't matter whether you run out at the same time on both types, since it won't go bad or deteriorate. When you run out of one, simply order more. Also, you might consider ordering by the ounce. I always use Rio Grande wire because it seems to be a more consistant quality, the service is good & you get price breaks for larger orders.
It all comes down to don't sweat the small stuff. It's just not important.
Hope this helps. Take care.
Jo
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Post by akansan on Jun 29, 2009 6:06:12 GMT -5
Good point, Jo. Using Randy's tutorial, you'll use more square than half round. But as you develop your own style, that could definitely change. And yes, once you start ordering silver and gold, you'll probably order by the ounce instead of by feet.
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buck570
starting to shine!
Member since February 2009
Posts: 46
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Post by buck570 on Jun 29, 2009 21:54:27 GMT -5
check out thunder bird supply or monsterslayer too, if i remember right they have sales where you can buy at the 500 oz. price break. Theres a wire wrap group out there the buys as a pool to get the price break too. That group also buys roseGF and white GF also, can't remember where they are at ,but it's one of the big wire wrap sites.
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