USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Apr 2, 2021 17:55:03 GMT -5
I may do a lot of joking on here but I am very serious on getting to know this craft.
Wire: I have been all over the internet and forum and I have not found a real explanation on the properties of the gauge of the wire other than the higher the gauge the thinner the wire.
There are so many characteristics to the wire how do I determine which is best for me and my project? Does the softness affect the durability of the wrap? Does the shape of the wire make any difference or are they all the same to work with? I see descriptions of filled wire, if I used non filled wire will it crimp or crease?
Bottom line is, what do I need to know as a beginner when selecting wire? What should my stock of wire contain? I don't want to go out and buy a bunch of wire and have problems with it. I have spent way too much on stone and do not want to do the same with wire.
Tools: Do the tools you use make a difference? Brand, shape of the nose, besides the obvious?
I did a google search and I found sets from $10 up to $100+ and individual pieces for about the same. How do you tell the durability of the tools? I don't want to pay $10 for a set to have to buy a $50 set tomorrow. I understand that I may pick up individual pieces as I progress but let's face it, nobody likes working with junk.
What is everyone's opinion and input on the subjects above? Everyone has their own preference but there has to be some common ground, don't you think?
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Post by Pat on Apr 2, 2021 18:16:21 GMT -5
I’m not a wire wrapper. rockjunquie and a few others are wire wrappers. Go to riogrande.com and snoop around. They have a broad TOOL SECTION. They also have a paper catalog. Wires come in various gauges, shapes, snd material. Good luck and enjoy!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 2, 2021 19:18:17 GMT -5
Here is a great thread Tela created about tools needed for wire wrapping. I would start there.
Come back and ask questions. It's really a lot of personal preference, but I would start with copper wire and a few basic tools to make sure you actually like doing it without spending a fortune. Then you can round out your supplies if you decide you want to continue.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2021 19:29:07 GMT -5
You don't realize how many questions you asked that have a hundred answers. LOL!
First and foremost- go to etsy or something like that and look up wire wrapped jewelry. What kind do you want to do? There's lots of different kinds and a lot of your answers depend on what you want to do.
Wire- Rio Grande Wire comes in gauges which is the diameter of wire and hardness which is how hard it is. Wire wrappers generally use half hard and soft. We generally use half round, round and square wire. It depends on what you'll be doing as to the sizes you'll need.
Tools- Rion sells Swantstrom tools which are expensive buy once tools. I wouldn't waste money on cheap tools unless they are specialty tools meant for few usues. For repetitive work, you'll want at least flat nose, round nose and flush cutters and maybe chain nose. Get good cutters.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 2, 2021 19:31:01 GMT -5
I all fairness, this wasn't a two-part question...there were ELEVEN questions in your post! I have barely started, but I will tell you that you can't have enough different gauges of wires! You'll want different gauge wires for different sized cabs and/or different projects such as weaving. You can use 26 gauge or 28 gauge for weaving...sometimes you might want it bigger and sometimes smaller. Maybe you'll want an 18 gauge for a larger cab - or maybe 20 gauge will work just fine... I believe filled wire makes no difference other that the cost of acquiring the wire...and what you should be charging for the final piece (silver filled wire is WAY cheaper to buy than solid sterling...). I'm wanting to know if I totally messed things up by working with SOFT wire, when I should have gone with HARD. I thought I had read on here that someone should be using soft wire...so that's what I started using...
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Apr 2, 2021 19:31:22 GMT -5
Here is a great thread Tela created about tools needed for wire wrapping. I would start there.
Come back and ask questions. It's really a lot of personal preference, but I would start with copper wire and a few basic tools to make sure you actually like doing it without spending a fortune. Then you can round out your supplies if you decide you want to continue.
I did read that thread among others. I've read articles on the web, I've watched YouTube videos. I have done everything but go and buy a library of books. I know WHAT tools I need but what are the best ones to start with? I know WHAT kind of wire is out there but what are the differences between the styles (not the material)? The assumption that I have not done any homework is a slap to the face and insults me.
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Post by Pat on Apr 2, 2021 19:39:58 GMT -5
Swanstrom tools are best. Long handled tools are more comfortable when doing repetitive work. Pricey.
No insults, please.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 2, 2021 19:58:16 GMT -5
Here is a great thread Tela created about tools needed for wire wrapping. I would start there.
Come back and ask questions. It's really a lot of personal preference, but I would start with copper wire and a few basic tools to make sure you actually like doing it without spending a fortune. Then you can round out your supplies if you decide you want to continue.
I did read that thread among others. I've read articles on the web, I've watched YouTube videos. I have done everything but go and buy a library of books. I know WHAT tools I need but what are the best ones to start with? I know WHAT kind of wire is out there but what are the differences between the styles (not the material)? The assumption that I have not done any homework is a slap to the face and insults me. I didn't mean to insult you. Sorry you took it that way. Your questions were so broad, I didn't know where to start to help you.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 2, 2021 20:05:58 GMT -5
I all fairness, this wasn't a two-part question...there were ELEVEN questions in your post! I have barely started, but I will tell you that you can't have enough different gauges of wires! You'll want different gauge wires for different sized cabs and/or different projects such as weaving. You can use 26 gauge or 28 gauge for weaving...sometimes you might want it bigger and sometimes smaller. Maybe you'll want an 18 gauge for a larger cab - or maybe 20 gauge will work just fine... I believe filled wire makes no difference other that the cost of acquiring the wire...and what you should be charging for the final piece (silver filled wire is WAY cheaper to buy than solid sterling...). I'm wanting to know if I totally messed things up by working with SOFT wire, when I should have gone with HARD. I thought I had read on here that someone should be using soft wire...so that's what I started using... No, you didn't mess things up. As you work with the wire the soft wire becomes half-hard rather quickly. As wire gets hardened, it also become more brittle. You can break it more easily when it's hard, especially with the finer gauge wires. Sometimes you have a larger piece that you may want to make with half-hard wire starting out, only because it will hold it's shape better. The downside is if you make a mistake and need to straighten the wire out, your wire (which is probably hard now) is a lot more difficult to work with.
If you want to make soft wire half-hard, just run it through a polishing cloth a few times.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2021 20:06:35 GMT -5
Here is a great thread Tela created about tools needed for wire wrapping. I would start there.
Come back and ask questions. It's really a lot of personal preference, but I would start with copper wire and a few basic tools to make sure you actually like doing it without spending a fortune. Then you can round out your supplies if you decide you want to continue.
I did read that thread among others. I've read articles on the web, I've watched YouTube videos. I have done everything but go and buy a library of books. I know WHAT tools I need but what are the best ones to start with? I know WHAT kind of wire is out there but what are the differences between the styles (not the material)? The assumption that I have not done any homework is a slap to the face and insults me. I didn't read it that way at all.
Once you have learned wirewrapping, you will understand how broad your questions are to the experienced.
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Apr 2, 2021 20:07:15 GMT -5
Swanstrom tools are best. Long handled tools are more comfortable when doing repetitive work. Pricey. No insults, please. This is helpful. Thanks.
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Post by jasoninsd on Apr 2, 2021 20:11:44 GMT -5
I all fairness, this wasn't a two-part question...there were ELEVEN questions in your post! I have barely started, but I will tell you that you can't have enough different gauges of wires! You'll want different gauge wires for different sized cabs and/or different projects such as weaving. You can use 26 gauge or 28 gauge for weaving...sometimes you might want it bigger and sometimes smaller. Maybe you'll want an 18 gauge for a larger cab - or maybe 20 gauge will work just fine... I believe filled wire makes no difference other that the cost of acquiring the wire...and what you should be charging for the final piece (silver filled wire is WAY cheaper to buy than solid sterling...). I'm wanting to know if I totally messed things up by working with SOFT wire, when I should have gone with HARD. I thought I had read on here that someone should be using soft wire...so that's what I started using... No, you didn't mess things up. As you work with the wire the soft wire becomes half-hard rather quickly. As wire gets hardened, it also become more brittle. You can break it more easily when it's hard, especially with the finer gauge wires. Sometimes you have a larger piece that you may want to make with half-hard wire starting out, only because it will hold it's shape better. The downside is if you make a mistake and need to straighten the wire out, your wire (which is probably hard now) is a lot more difficult to work with.
If you want to make soft wire half-hard, just run it through a polishing cloth a few times.
Thanks Robin!!! Once it's wrapped on the stone though, can it be hardened?
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2021 20:20:49 GMT -5
No, you didn't mess things up. As you work with the wire the soft wire becomes half-hard rather quickly. As wire gets hardened, it also become more brittle. You can break it more easily when it's hard, especially with the finer gauge wires. Sometimes you have a larger piece that you may want to make with half-hard wire starting out, only because it will hold it's shape better. The downside is if you make a mistake and need to straighten the wire out, your wire (which is probably hard now) is a lot more difficult to work with.
If you want to make soft wire half-hard, just run it through a polishing cloth a few times.
Thanks Robin!!! Once it's wrapped on the stone though, can it be hardened? Raising my hand! I know this, I know this!
Use your trusty tumbler (33b) and tumble your pieces with mixed stainless steel shot and Dawn. Hardens, deburs, cleans. EZPZ
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
|
Post by USMC15 on Apr 2, 2021 20:23:36 GMT -5
Thanks Robin!!! Once it's wrapped on the stone though, can it be hardened? Raising my hand! I know this, I know this!
Use your trusty tumbler (33b) and tumble your pieces with mixed stainless steel shot and Dawn. Hardens, deburs, cleans. EZPZ Would that mess up any of your loops or coils? You would think that all that banging around could mess up your work.
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
|
Post by USMC15 on Apr 2, 2021 20:26:09 GMT -5
Swanstrom tools are best. Long handled tools are more comfortable when doing repetitive work. Pricey. No insults, please. Would this set of tools be enough to get me started? I like the long handled idea and the reviews are good.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2021 20:27:46 GMT -5
Raising my hand! I know this, I know this!
Use your trusty tumbler (33b) and tumble your pieces with mixed stainless steel shot and Dawn. Hardens, deburs, cleans. EZPZ Would that mess up any of your loops or coils? You would think that all that banging around could mess up your work. I do border wrapping. I can't speak to some of the really delicate work. I, personally, have never had any problems. I should have mentioned that I also use plastic pellets. Some ppl don't.
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Post by Pat on Apr 2, 2021 20:30:15 GMT -5
I don’t know. I suspect you would need flat nose, round nose, and half round. I’m not a wire wrapper. However, the other respondents are.
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USMC15
Cave Dweller
I feel like I just came out of the tumbler ...
Member since March 2021
Posts: 273
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Post by USMC15 on Apr 2, 2021 20:31:10 GMT -5
I guess I should simplify my wire question.
There are three types of wire, round, half round and square. What are each one typically used for. I get that situation dictates but I ask that you view this in a manner that a beginner would.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2021 20:36:22 GMT -5
I guess I should simplify my wire question. There are three types of wire, round, half round and square. What are each one typically used for. I get that situation dictates but I ask that you view this in a manner that a beginner would. Basically- Round wire is for borders, coils and weaving. Square wire is for borders, twisting. Half round is for binding.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 2, 2021 20:39:04 GMT -5
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