rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
|
Post by rockingthenorth on Jan 15, 2013 1:43:33 GMT -5
Ok this might sound dumb but I want to buy wire what kind do I buy Half hard..dead soft I am stumped.. Because up until now I have been using wire from hobby Lobby and I don't think it said any of that. I did look at Rio Grande and they have decent prices but stumped on the hard-soft -dead soft and what is the best gauge I have been using 20 gauge with 22 to 24 gauge half round. help please
|
|
Don
Cave Dweller 
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
|
Post by Don on Jan 15, 2013 3:15:50 GMT -5
Both. Dead soft for decorative, half hard for strength.
|
|
|
|
Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Jan 15, 2013 9:21:49 GMT -5
yes...purchase both I use dead soft for the square and half hard for the half round when wrapping pendants for rings and bracelets I use dead soft and half hard for both the square and half round you will see when you get to doing more different types of wraps what wire type to get the gage of wire will be whatever you need for the stone size and type of jewelry your making the lighter/smaller gages will be for small to tiny stones for pendants and earrings bracelets will need 20 to 18 gage I used to use only half-hard when I first started out and tried dead soft and am spoiled now by it  |
|
|
|
Post by Bluesky78987 on Jan 15, 2013 14:40:11 GMT -5
That seems to be the main rule of thumb: Whatever kind you buy, you end up needing all the other kinds too! Notice they don't sell "Assortments" that have all these kinds in them . . . nooooooo, of course not . . . ;-) |
|
dbrealityrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2010
Posts: 1,084
|
Post by dbrealityrocks on Jan 15, 2013 14:45:54 GMT -5
dead soft has almost no memory, it's very fast to work but also bends easy. it takes much longer to wrap with 1/2 hard but I like how it won't bend easily if the wire catches. I use some stainless steel and it makes me appreciate how soft the 1/2 hard brass or silver really is.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jan 15, 2013 14:46:34 GMT -5
Oh my, what a question. Not only does everyone have personal preferences, but a lot depends on what you are wrapping and HOW. Decide what you most want to do to start with ie pendants of 40mm average size as example. Figure what you ned for that. Then you can decide which wire to get the most of. Then you will want a bunch of others on hand to work the odd assortment. Sorry if that wasn't much help, but a lot of this will depend on what you are doing. |
|
|
|
Post by drocknut on Jan 15, 2013 14:47:49 GMT -5
Lol Susan, of course not, that would be too convenient for consumers.
I usually use dead soft 22gauge square with dead soft 21gauge 1/2 round. I've thought about using half hard but haven't tried it yet. Also remember when figuring out what quantity to buy that you will use more 1/2 round than square generally so it's good to buy more of that.
|
|
The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
|
Post by The Dad_Ohs on Jan 15, 2013 15:00:28 GMT -5
I'm still new to wrapping so I am using Copper and silver coated, I call it silver colored, wire. I only have access to 1/2 hard and it is a pain in the buttowski for forming the border on a stone for a pendent because it wants to bend back so it pulls away from what you are working on... on the same token, it holds shape better than dead soft and is more rigid, rigid = holds shape better than when ties wires together ie... half round. I plan to invest in brass copper bronze and 1/10th silver filled in the future. Both square and half round, but I guess I will always have some full round on hand too.... I really look at what I am about to work on and think how it would look with different color wires versus the basic color of precious & semi precious metal wire. Then I look at what I have available and say to myself..."self!!.. what the heck are you looking at... you only have round half hard copper and silver colored wire!!" and then I do my best!!  |
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Jan 15, 2013 16:18:47 GMT -5
Glad you asked that question. The only thing I know is that wire will harden with handling. If you want it harder, you can also hit it with a hammer a few times, too.
|
|
rockingthenorth
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2012
Posts: 1,637
|
Post by rockingthenorth on Jan 15, 2013 20:49:08 GMT -5
Thanks all for the advice
|
|
TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
|
Post by TByrd on Jan 15, 2013 22:34:42 GMT -5
I just read something about this yesterday. It said to buy only Dead Soft, you can always work harden it by hammering it or tumbling it.
Good luck
Tammy
|
|
|
|
Post by talkingstones on Jan 16, 2013 18:54:27 GMT -5
Hi Tammy, For good all around wire, I use mainly 22g square soft and 22g half hard for the binding. it seems to work well and I do have larger stuff on hand in the event I need it, but really like the way this combination works together. Hope that helps!
Cathy
|
|
TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
|
Post by TByrd on Jan 17, 2013 22:54:48 GMT -5
Hey Tammy, I do only buy dead soft wire, if I do not think that I have work hardened it enough I always 'work harden' my pieces by pounding on them with a hammer, not any hammer, a rawhide or nylon hammer will ONLY work harden your wire. If you use the metal hammer out of the tool box in the garage, it will no longer look like a wire wrap, but more like a birds nest, no pun intended.
Hope this helps,
Tammy Byrd
|
|
