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Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap. Not having end caps to finish a project should not stop you.

Coiled End Caps

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Coiling, Making Findings, Making Spirals
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Not having end caps to finish a project should not stop you. Try these versatile and easy to make end caps.

Materials

24 Gauge Round Dead Soft 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-24D
  • Lesson Quantity: 10.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 10FT
  • Price: $3.92
  • Gold Club Price: $2.94
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20 Gauge Round Dead Soft 1/10 Sterling Silver Filled Wire
H10-20D
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $5.45
  • Gold Club Price: $4.09
Out of Stock
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Tools

Round Nose Wire Pliers
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Economy Nylon Jaw Pliers
G2-25
  • G2-25
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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000 knitting needle or small bamboo skewer
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
5 Piece Steel Mandrel Set
G7-5
  • G7-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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Instructions
Step 1
Using 24 gauge wire, make two coils 2 1/2″ long each on a mandrel no smaller than a 000 knitting needle (shown) but not a mandrel larger than a bamboo skewer. Hint: Starting with a 1″ wire tail keeps the wire coil stable when wrapping. Make the coil a bit longer than needed and then cut it to length.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Making a coil
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, 2 Coils
Step 2
For a tight fitting end cap, the mandrel you choose for the next step should be slightly smaller than the final hole you pulled the chain through since the wrapping will spring out a bit. For instance, if your chain was drawn down to 13/64″, the mandrel could be 3/16″. If your chain was drawn down to 1/4″, the mandrel could be 7/32″. Of course, you could use the same size mandrel as the hole and the end cap would have a loose fit.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Wooden mandrels
Step 3
For this step, you must work from the spool of the 20 gauge wire. Pull off and straighten about 12″ of wire. Slide one of the coils on the wire. Flush cut the wire end and spiral it until it is the size of the diameter of the mandrel.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Making a wire spiral
Step 4
Hold the spiral on the mandrel. Wind the wire around the mandrel four times, keeping the wraps as close together as possible.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Wrap wire on mandrel
Step 5
Push the 21/2″ coil tightly against the mandrel and continue coiling, keeping the coiled wire wraps as close together as possible.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Coiled wire on mandrel
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Coiled wire on mandrel
Step 6
Cut the 20 gauge wire off 3/4″ from the wire coil. Spiral this wire up tightly to the wire coil. Optional: Leave the wire long. Push the end of the wire through Viking Knit chain or Kumihimo braid. Pull tight. Push the wire back through, pulling tight. Trim the wire off as close to or into the chain or knit.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Coiled end cap on mandrel
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Coiled End Cap on mandrel
Step 7
Push the end cap to the end of the mandrel. Push the top end spiral down over the top of the mandrel. You may need to push the mandrel down on the table to get the coil to nestle inside the coil.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Coiled End Cap at end of mandrel
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Closing End Cap
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Completed Coiled end Cap
Step 8
Repeat for the other end cap.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, 2 matching Coiled End Caps
Step 9
Check the fit on the Viking Knit chain. If it is too loose, you can slide the cap on a smaller mandrel and gently tighten the lower coiled section.
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, Adding to end cap to viking knit
Step 10
Leave the end caps plain or use your imagination and dress them up with beads
Judy Larson's Coiled End Caps - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Spirals, Wire Spiral, Spiral Wire Wrap, 2 Matching Coiled End Caps
Step 11
Download the following charts or make your own to help keep track of wire types and lengths used in your creations.

CoiledWireGauge


VikingKnitGauges

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