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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 26, 2021 20:51:59 GMT -5
Almost everyone has to use some type of magnification with those smaller gauge wires, I would think. Lord knows I do! 
Small half-round wire is especially easy to flip and not notice the difference. What I do (and this is just my way of doing it) is once I have the flat side toward the wrap, I start the binding and when I get to the edge I push it with my fingers so it's 90 degrees. Then I push it across and then once again make the 90 degree angle at the opposite edge (up or down, depending). I usually will give it a slight squeeze with the pliers after about 2 wraps all the way around to keep it in place, but not too hard. I keep doing that until I'm done, squeezing the wire down slightly after every 2 full wraps. Does that make any sense? It seems to help me keep the half-round the correct way by stopping at each edge to bend it 90 degrees. It sounds like it might take longer, but once you're use to it, it's really fast.
Get some Optivisors, Jason. You'll be so glad you did for wrapping and cabbing.
One of these days I'm going to start looking like Mr. Magoo while doing these! LOL I totally understand what you're describing with your technique. I like it! I've got to figure out the best way for me to have the half-round come off the spool. I think that's where it's wanting to twist on me. Last night, I unraveled about four feet off the spool and that helped tremendously... I keep looking around for an optivisor, but I keep getting gunshy as to which one I want to get...and suggestions? I have the Optivisor brand one. I bought it when I first started cutting opals and have had it this whole time (20ish yrs.). I depend on it when I'm cabbing or doing any jewelry work. The lenses for the Optivisor are glass. I have a bunch of them only because one of our friends gave them to me after his macular degeneration got so bad he couldn't see anything well enough anymore. I really need to get to an eye doctor and get some prescription glasses, but I keep putting off getting old.
Vince has the cheapo brand and it came with 4 different lenses. He's had his for almost 14 yrs. and it works fine for him. He has prescription glasses, but the lenses are plastic on his. He's always really careful with his stuff, but if I had those they'd probably be scratched beyond repair by now.
I think either would work for you.
Regarding the half-round - Cut a piece off and use it instead of keeping it on the spool. Not sure how much you're using, so cut more off than you think you need the first time and then measure what you have left to give yourself an idea of what you'll need. I don't use the half-round to wrap bails, so I can't help you on that. I usually cut anywhere between 4-6" to do my bindings depending on the size of the stone and how many binding wraps I planning on using.
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 26, 2021 20:52:36 GMT -5
Both my husband and I sprang for the optivisor. I know there are cheaper ones, but we've been very happy with ours. I've had mine 20 years and still have the same lens. We also got the Quasar light for them. Not a necessity, but nice to have.
I always get my wire coiled, if I can. If you are buying from Rio, you usually have a choice. Coiled wire is easier to manage. I have never had a problem with 1/2 round twisting.
You seem to be a natural.  I'll be watching to see what you do next.... the pressure is on! LOL! Thanks for the info Tela! I'll quit filtering my eBay searches for optivisors by "cheapest"! LOL I think my wire is coiled...it's wound on spools. I think the twisting is coming from "how" I'm letting it come off the spool. I am twisting the wire around the wrap - versus turning the wrap and letting the wire fall where it's meant to... (it makes sense in my head! LOL) Great...now I'm going to be robbing my wife's manicure kits! Like I haven't stolen enough other stuff out of the kitchen for tumbling (strainers, bowls, Tupperware containers!)! LOL No pressure...yeh right! LOL |
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Post by rockjunquie on Feb 26, 2021 20:56:41 GMT -5
Both my husband and I sprang for the optivisor. I know there are cheaper ones, but we've been very happy with ours. I've had mine 20 years and still have the same lens. We also got the Quasar light for them. Not a necessity, but nice to have.
I always get my wire coiled, if I can. If you are buying from Rio, you usually have a choice. Coiled wire is easier to manage. I have never had a problem with 1/2 round twisting.
You seem to be a natural. I'll be watching to see what you do next.... the pressure is on! LOL! Thanks for the info Tela! I'll quit filtering my eBay searches for optivisors by "cheapest"! LOL I think my wire is coiled...it's wound on spools. I think the twisting is coming from "how" I'm letting it come off the spool. I am twisting the wire around the wrap - versus turning the wrap and letting the wire fall where it's meant to... (it makes sense in my head! LOL) Great...now I'm going to be robbing my wife's manicure kits! Like I haven't stolen enough other stuff out of the kitchen for tumbling (strainers, bowls, Tupperware containers!)! LOL No pressure...yeh right! LOL
Rio offers coiled and spooled. I really, really do not like it spooled. Coiled is where they loosely wrap the wire like an extension cord. I store my wire in zip lock bags.
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,989
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Post by Tommy on Feb 26, 2021 21:01:06 GMT -5
Oh, and here are some of my mistakes...er, paperclips.  Haha I collected my re-duh's for a long-while thinking I would melt them down and make a bar of silver... not sure where they went now. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 26, 2021 21:12:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Tela! I'll quit filtering my eBay searches for optivisors by "cheapest"! LOL I think my wire is coiled...it's wound on spools. I think the twisting is coming from "how" I'm letting it come off the spool. I am twisting the wire around the wrap - versus turning the wrap and letting the wire fall where it's meant to... (it makes sense in my head! LOL) Great...now I'm going to be robbing my wife's manicure kits! Like I haven't stolen enough other stuff out of the kitchen for tumbling (strainers, bowls, Tupperware containers!)! LOL No pressure...yeh right! LOL
Rio offers coiled and spooled. I really, really do not like it spooled. Coiled is where they loosely wrap the wire like an extension cord. I store my wire in zip lock bags.
Note to self for the next order! Oh, and here are some of my mistakes...er, paperclips. Haha I collected my re-duh's for a long-while thinking I would melt them down and make a bar of silver... not sure where they went now. Holy smokes it just dawned on me! With all the "waste wire" between both miket and me, we could go into business together supplying all the dentists in Nebraska and South Dakota with all the fillings they'll ever need!   |
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Post by Pat on Feb 26, 2021 21:21:01 GMT -5
Another vote for Optivisors. My glasses fit just fine under them. I like the turn/tightening knob in the back, too.
My oldest Optivisor is about 50-60 years old. The plastic headband became brittle and broke in several places. I’m gluing it back together.
Another vote to Rio’s Pro Pads, too.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Feb 26, 2021 21:30:33 GMT -5
The only time I buy wire on a spool is when I'm ordering 28 or 30 gauge for weaving. Not having that stuff on a spool invites the wire to become a very expensive bird's nest. Otherwise I get the coiled wire.
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Post by stephan on Feb 26, 2021 21:52:24 GMT -5
jasoninsd LOL. I thought for sure that there was an autocorrect “gotcha” in there. I’ve never heard of liver of sulfur, but when I looked it up... lo and behold.... Who the heck named that stuff?
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Post by stephan on Feb 26, 2021 21:56:16 GMT -5
jasoninsd LOL. I thought for sure that there was an autocorrect “gotcha” in there. I’ve never heard of liver of sulfur, but when I looked it up... lo and behold.... Who the heck named that stuff? As for supplying dentist with silver, you’ll need mercury, too |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 26, 2021 21:56:33 GMT -5
jasoninsd LOL. I thought for sure that there was an autocorrect “gotcha” in there. I’ve never heard of liver of sulfur, but when I looked it up... lo and behold.... Who the heck named that stuff? I thought the SAME thing the first time I saw it! LOL |
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Post by Garage Rocker on Feb 26, 2021 23:46:56 GMT -5
You seem to have what it takes to do this at a high level. You've tackled more complicated wraps than most would ever consider right out of the gate. Some good advice on here and it looks like it has been well received. I expect we'll see what appears to be a time lapse video of your progress over the next week or two. |
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Post by jasoninsd on Feb 27, 2021 0:20:49 GMT -5
You seem to have what it takes to do this at a high level. You've tackled more complicated wraps than most would ever consider right out of the gate. Some good advice on here and it looks like it has been well received. I expect we'll see what appears to be a time lapse video of your progress over the next week or two. Thank you so much! I really do appreciate all the comments AND critiques. I learned a long time ago I was never as smart as I once thought I was...so, I'm all about getting advice and taking it to heart. Now as far as that "time-lapse" video... LOL |
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NevadaBill
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2019
Posts: 1,332
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Post by NevadaBill on Mar 3, 2021 13:02:28 GMT -5
I know how you felt tearing it all off and starting over. We've all done it. It sucks.
This is really a special looking effort too. I mean, the material is WOW, but I'm not even looking at that. I don't have anything to say about this that I didn't in the last, other than I think that you have a natural art aptitude to wrap stuff in wire, and not everyone has that. People look at the finished product, and 90% don't have a clue what it takes to get to that point.
Really a special effort. I won't show my wife or she will get jealous.
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Post by jasoninsd on Mar 3, 2021 19:34:06 GMT -5
I know how you felt tearing it all off and starting over. We've all done it. It sucks. This is really a special looking effort too. I mean, the material is WOW, but I'm not even looking at that. I don't have anything to say about this that I didn't in the last, other than I think that you have a natural art aptitude to wrap stuff in wire, and not everyone has that. People look at the finished product, and 90% don't have a clue what it takes to get to that point. Really a special effort. I won't show my wife or she will get jealous. Thanks Bill! There's a lot of stuff that I can't show my wife on here! LOL |
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I'll be watching to see what you do next.... the pressure is on! LOL!
