Copper Hat Pins
Question:
I wish to make hat pins with copper wire. Could you tell me what temper and gauge I should use to take beads, and not bend?
-Bev in Melbourne, Australia
I wish to make hat pins with copper wire. Could you tell me what temper and gauge I should use to take beads, and not bend?
-Bev in Melbourne, Australia
Instructions
Answer:
Bev, as you mentioned, the choice of gauge would depend on the weight of the beads used to make a hatpin, as well as the size of their holes.
One of our WS Faculty members collects antique hats and sometimes makes hatpins. She uses a full hard temper wire in gauges from 18 through 20. Because copper is naturally a soft metal, you might try using a rubber hammer and bench block to harden the wire without changing the shape.
Another way to harden round copper wire would be to put it into a drill and twist it. No, you will not see a difference in the shape of the wire, it will still be perfectly round, but it will be harder. Just don't twist too much or it will become brittle and could break or snap more easily.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Bev, as you mentioned, the choice of gauge would depend on the weight of the beads used to make a hatpin, as well as the size of their holes.
One of our WS Faculty members collects antique hats and sometimes makes hatpins. She uses a full hard temper wire in gauges from 18 through 20. Because copper is naturally a soft metal, you might try using a rubber hammer and bench block to harden the wire without changing the shape.
Another way to harden round copper wire would be to put it into a drill and twist it. No, you will not see a difference in the shape of the wire, it will still be perfectly round, but it will be harder. Just don't twist too much or it will become brittle and could break or snap more easily.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
18 Gauge Half Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-18HRH
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $0.63
- Gold Club Price: $0.47
20 Gauge Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-20H
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
- Price: $0.50
- Gold Club Price: $0.37
Tools
2 Ounce Rubber Head Hammer
G3-19
- G3-19
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.97
- Gold Club Price: $2.23
Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
- DAP-500.30
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $29.95
- Gold Club Price: $22.46
3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)
G5-15
- G5-15
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $42.97
- Gold Club Price: $32.23
3 Prong Wire Twister Head
G5-2
- G5-2
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $7.97
- Gold Club Price: $5.98
Double Ended Pin Vise
G5-4
- G5-4
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.97
- Gold Club Price: $2.98
Pin Vise - 4 Piece Set
G5-7
- G5-7
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $10.97
- Gold Club Price: $8.23
Sliding Pin Vise
G10-22
- G10-22
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $5.95
- Gold Club Price: $4.46
Swivel Head Pin Vise
G5-1
- G5-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.97
- Gold Club Price: $2.23
Swivel-Headed Pin Vise
PIN-220.00
- PIN-220.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $5.57
- Gold Club Price: $4.18
Supply Detail
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- Category: Classic
- Technique(s): Wrapping
Dale Armstrong
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