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Daily Wire Tip Sept. 22: All About Soft Wire

By on September 22, 2009
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
September 22, 2009

Question:

I have been working with wire for more than 25 years, and have used many gauges, usually in half hard. However, sometimes I get more soft wire than I want. I remember my old teacher telling me when I complained about soft wire that it will work for a while, but then it`ll get hard. I have found that while shining the wire with a cloth that if I bend it gently and straighten it a few times, it does indeed get harder. Plus, if I twist half hard, it can get too hard to use, but if I twist dead soft (square of course), it gets just about right. What do you think?

Answer:

Yes, twisting dead soft wire will make it close to half-hard temper. The question then would be, how much twisted wire do you want to be in your design? As far as twisting half-hard wire and it becoming too hard, that would depend on how much of a twist or `bead` you put on the wire. (Sometimes I will individually twist several pieces of 24g sq half-hard and use them to hand-sculpt with, and I often twist 21g or 22g sq half-hard when making a cabochon frame too.) In my opinion, the amount of twisting done to what gauge and temper of wire is up to the individual artist and comes first from their experience and then from their choice.

Answer contributed by Dale `Cougar` Armstrong

2 Comments

  1. avatar

    Nancye

    September 22, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    I am learning, and every bit of information helps, I prefer to learn from other people’s experiences, instead of my own “mistakes” . Thankyou so much.
    Nancye

  2. avatar

    Krister

    September 23, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    I am a self-taught jewelry maker. I enjoyed the trip, but prefer to learn how-to from an expert unfortunately there aren’t that many in my area. I’ve been taking some classes, but I find that I am considered advanced by my instructors. Often I wondered about the art of wire wrapping and forming beautiful pieces of jewelry to sell. I had a business for a short time, but due to an illness I stopped to perfect my craft and learn all I can about the business Sales & Tax Use. I would appreciate some insight into this part of the Jewelry Business. I wrap 24 or 26 GA wire around different stones I don’t see the wire getting harder, usually it will break. Could I be twisting it too much when making the wrap? Also, is the square wire better than round or half- round wire?