aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Mar 22, 2014 0:43:14 GMT -5
I've attempted a few wire wraps and have been having a #%(*^!@&^*$ time of it. Now could my problem (or, one of my many problems) be that I'm trying to wrap with copper craft wire from Ye Ole Craft Store of Doom?? It's sproingy, won't stay put, bends in the wrong places, etc. etc.
Will I have better luck with a higher quality wire or is there something about "If you can't make the cheap stuff work, don't waste your $$$ on the expensive stuff."
And I apologize profusely if this is one of those 'religious debates' and I'm just opening a can of worms.
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Mar 22, 2014 1:06:38 GMT -5
Are you using round wire that comes on a spool? If you answered yes, I would probably try at least something from ParWire, the spoingy is different than what you are using, the quality is better as well as the tinsel strength. Www.parawire.com unless someone else has a better place to buy it. Good luck, Tammy |
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Mar 22, 2014 1:36:10 GMT -5
Perhaps you got the wrong kind of wire? Not wrapping wire? It shouldn't 'sproing' and should stay bent where you bend it. I will buy copper wire from local craft/fabric stores and it works just fine.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Mar 22, 2014 6:32:41 GMT -5
Here's a good place to buy Parawire: www.bellomodo.comShipping is free with a not too large order too! You will find it much easier with a different type of wire, especially if you switch to square & half round. You can wrap with round wire, I used to but found it soooo much easier when I switched. You can get the copper in half round & square & it doesn't cost much. Monster Slayer is another good place to buy wire. www.monsterslayer.com/Pages/Metals/CopBrasSW.aspx |
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Post by orrum on Mar 22, 2014 9:50:19 GMT -5
Hello You pay attention to Donnie she helped me get started! I am still using tools she gave me. Anyway I am in the rock meca Quartzsite and am taking lessons. In the beginning class I use my parawire silver or gold. In the intermediate class the instructer wants you to use 92.5 silver or gold filled!!!! I immediately noticed that the hi dollar stuff is easier! It doesnt wrinkle, crimp, or get mutchy nearly ad easy as craft wire. Of course its really expensive but as Ted says when you make a very nice wrap its a shame to use a second rate stone or wire. I am going to start using more 92.5 silver! Get the parawire for sure and they ship fast, I use Bellamodo. Just my 2 cents worth.
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Post by drocknut on Mar 22, 2014 11:27:38 GMT -5
I agree with the others about the cheaper craft wire being harder to use. I have given classes on beginning wire wrapping and the bead store owner only wanted to work with the square and 1/2 round craft wire she buys so had to use it. I was so frustrated doing it because it acts so much different from the sterling and gold filled I'm used to using. Shoot even the solid copper wire I bought was better. I've never worked with Parawire but hear it is good.
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Mar 22, 2014 12:27:45 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the advice! I'll give the Parawire a try and maybe a small amount of the 'real stuff'. I've been trying with the round coated copper and it's really frustrating. Maybe the half-round or square will help with my alignment as well.  |
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Mar 22, 2014 17:28:49 GMT -5
You use square wire for your bundles and half round to bind them together. The square wire lays flat, one against the other, you just have to make sure that the square is not on point, which can happen. Good luck with the new wire.
Donnie, I have not heard of that website, I will have to check it out.
Tammy
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Post by mohs on Mar 22, 2014 19:53:17 GMT -5
after reading all this
I have to comment
hope you got it all wrapped up aim~ee !
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Post by mohs on Mar 22, 2014 19:53:45 GMT -5
mostly
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 22, 2014 20:30:18 GMT -5
Aimee, when I first started, I used brass practice wire. I hated it so much I almost gave up. I've heard so many people swear by parawire, but if you can afford it, sterling and gold fill are really great to work with, too, as is pure copper. I love to work with copper. It is cheap and takes a patina nicely.
Hang in there!
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Mar 23, 2014 11:33:26 GMT -5
I've taken the next step (one less painful than the 'real' stuff for now... we'll give it one more test before going all-in)!! Parawire order INC. I'm trying my order from Bello Modo - realized they're fairly local so it's nice to be able to order in-state. |
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Mar 23, 2014 12:31:32 GMT -5
I teach a beginning wire wrap class & have the students use plated practice wire to keep the costs down. I buy Parawire & BeadSmith brand Craft Wire in 21 G square & 21 G half-round.
For my wraps for sale I use the same gauge wires in Argentium silver from Rio Grande. I specify a coil, which isn't coiled as tightly as a spool. The practice wire is coiled tighter than the stuff from Rio, which makes it kink a bit more when unrolling it from the coil. It invariably has a 1/4 to 1/2 twist to it which adds lots of extra work removing that twist with a pin vise. For $5 more, I offer the students the Argentium wire. Not many go for that option, because they don't expect their first wrap to be high quality.
I think Rio Grande is a lot more conscientious about coiling the wire without adding any twist to it. Perhaps that's from customer feedback over the years. Maybe the makers of plated practice wire need that kind of feedback to let them know that there is always a twist that eats up a lot of time in untwisting. Does anyone else concur with me on the twist in the practice wire?
Lynn
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Post by wireholic on Mar 24, 2014 12:44:30 GMT -5
If you are working with round wire - check out your local hardware store for small packages of copper wire. It's not quite dead soft but close and it's cheap! Rio sells copper wire by the pound in all shapes and hardness. Parawire is a great alternative to silver & GF but, like any coated wire, it will yellow from exposure to sunlight so be carefull
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Post by Starguy on May 17, 2014 20:34:11 GMT -5
Aimee.
You can look into annealing the wire you have. If it's cheap wire, it may be easier to buy softer wire. Some wire is too hard to bend easily.
I haven't done wire wrapping but I have fabricated some sterling rings, bracelets and pendants. Annealing softens the metal and makes it more workable. All metals can be hardened by various means. They can also be softened again by heating the metal. You have probably broken wires by repeatedly bending them back and forth. This is known as work hardening, and eventually the metal will break instead on bend.
There are advantages to both hard and soft metal. Sometimes if you work with a wire or other piece of metal for a while trying to get it perfect, it will get work hardened. In most cases, hard metals can be softened by annealing.
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