br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106 
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Post by br347213 on Nov 27, 2015 12:50:16 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I have recently gotten into the tumbling scene and would like to start making some jewelry with our polished stones. We're particularly interested in necklaces and potentially earings and rings as well. We don't have any materials yet and I'm looking to buy a bunch for her for christmas so we can get started. I've been following a lot of the threads here and have read the stickies but i haven't found a good list of starter gear. Tools are first obviously, I see therockshed has a nice set so i think i'll snag that. It's more the wire and other materials that I'm stumped on. maybe i should just get a variety of gauges and metals to see what works for us? Any other tips are greatly appreciated! What are some items and tools that are staples in your quiver? Any websites to recommend for supplies and tutorials? Thanks! -Ben
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Post by captbob on Nov 27, 2015 13:02:21 GMT -5
I don't wrap, so I'll leave most of your questions to the professionals here.
But... my logical suggestion would be to buy a bunch of really inexpensive wire to practice with. Different gauges makes sense, but you will most likely end up throwing away many (most?) of your first wraps.
My wife tried the wire wrapping for a short time and the early attempts looked like they had been chewed on.
Probably the case with most folks new to the hobby. Practice makes perfect - hopefully!
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Nov 27, 2015 13:33:14 GMT -5
hahaha....yeah i expect to see some of that. thanks for the response. will stick with the cheap stuff to start.  |
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Nov 27, 2015 20:16:48 GMT -5
Copper is good to start with. Just remember wire is meant to be bent.
20 g square and 20 g half round.
Rio grande is a good shop for wire.
Have fun.
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Nov 27, 2015 20:48:13 GMT -5
Copper is good to start with. Just remember wire is meant to be bent. 20 g square and 20 g half round. Rio grande is a good shop for wire. Have fun. Thanks, what are the uses of half-hard vs dead soft? |
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 27, 2015 21:20:40 GMT -5
Copper is good to start with. Just remember wire is meant to be bent. 20 g square and 20 g half round. Rio grande is a good shop for wire. Have fun. Thanks, what are the uses of half-hard vs dead soft? He said half round. That's what you bind your wire bundle of round and/or square with. |
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Nov 27, 2015 21:59:05 GMT -5
no i understand what half round is i was asking a different question
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 28, 2015 0:05:24 GMT -5
Full hard, half hard, and dead soft are just indicators of how annealed the wire is. It's the same wire, and as you bend it the wire will become work hardened.
Too hard and it becomes brittle and breaks.
Most of the wrappers I know use half hard because they don't plan on doing anything to harden it when they're done. I imagine you're less likely to have marks from your pliers as well.
I believe that some people will tumble their wraps in polishing shot to harden them, but I only do that with fabricated settings that have been softened by the torch.
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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 Nov 28, 2015 9:13:24 GMT -5
Copper and copper colored wire are great for beginners. I use dead soft wire and I think for a beginner it is better, you will learn how tight to pull your wires. If you have any issues with your hands it is easier to work then the half hard. It is easier to harden your wire then it is to soften your wire, you can pound on it with a mallett, tumble it with stainless steel shot, you can rub it or buff it and I am sure there are other ways. There are lots of places to buy wire on line. Parawire, brandywine jewelry supply, wire sculpture, wire jewelry bootcamp, ebay, amazon. Just do a quick search and see what works for you.
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br347213
starting to spend too much on rocks
Henderson, NV
Member since October 2015
Posts: 106
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Post by br347213 on Nov 28, 2015 12:36:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the explanations and recommendations!
This forum should have a sticky explaining all of this in detail. Gauges, shapes and uses, metal types, etc.
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