Finishing Wire Ends

by Judy Larson

Today's tip is from our good friend, Judy Larson. You've probably seen her patterns and some of her other tips here on our blog. Today Judy gives us a little advice on how to finish wire ends cleanly in order to get rid of that "ouch" factor. Enjoy!

Instructions

One sign of quality workmanship on a jewelry piece constructed with any gauge of wire is finished or smoothed wire ends. It only takes a few seconds and makes a big difference in the final product. Imagine putting an ear wire that has not been smoothed in your ear-ouch! Or putting on a beautiful pendant you just created, only to be scratched by an errant wire end. Even if the wire end butts up against another piece of wire, gemstone or piece of metal, the finished piece will just look better if you smooth the wire ends.

When you reach the spot in your design where you will be flush cutting the wire end before you tuck it in to the design, smooth the wire end. Even if you are making a spiral with the wire, smooth the wire end before doing so.

When the wire is cut to a specific length, as for ear wires, you can finish both ends of the wire before you start construction, or smooth the end where you will make the loop. Then finish the ear wire and smooth the end that goes through your ear lobe.

Tools to Use:

There are several tools that you can use to finish wire ends to keep them from snagging clothing or scratching skin. Just a few twists with a cup bur/wire rounder is the easiest way is to smooth wire ends. If you are not doing production work or making many of one item, then you may want to invest in a manual cup bur/wire rounder.

Wire Rounder with Wooden Handle:

This 1.8mm cup bur/wire rounder is perfect for smoothing/de-burring the ends of ear wires. You can use it on wires up to 16 gauge, but the best results are with 18 gauge and finer wire. Storing it in the protective tube it comes in will extend the life of the tool.

Judy Larson's Finishing Wire Ends - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, Findings, Clasps, Components, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Weaving, Wire Weaving, Weaving Wire, Design, Tools, , Wire Rounder

Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces:

This cup bur/wire rounder comes with two bits- 1.8mm and 1.2mm so you can smooth the ends of even thinner gauge wires that you would use in wire weaving and coiling.

If you are doing production work or making many of one item, then you may want to invest in a cordless drill and wire rounding bits. Just make sure that the jaws on your drill reduce small enough to secure the bit.

Burs:

If you have a hardware store like the True Value in my hometown that carries small drill and shaping bits, you might find wire rounders/cup burs in that section. These came in a set of three, with the middle one being a 1.8mm. The largest one de-burrs the ends of up to 14 gauge wire. There are also other, larger sets that you can find at JewelryTools.com, like the one below.

Made of the finest Swiss-milled Vanadium steel for long life and accuracy. All burs are total length of 44.5mm with 3/32″ (2.35mm) shanks for quick-change handpieces. Our burs are the finest in quality at very reasonable prices and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Each set contains the same shape burs in various sizes. The hang-up reusable plastic pouch keeps cutting heads apart and takes up very little storage space.

Swivel Head Pin Vise:

Twist gold, silver, brass and copper wire. A double ended chuck is inside and can accommodate any small wire. Approximately 3 3/4 inches long.

To use the bits manually, you can secure them in a Pin Vise.

3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver):

3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister. Includes 1/8 keyless chuck to hold drill bits up to 1/8. This model is high-powered at over 200rpm and runs extremely smooth.

A cordless drill or screwdriver makes quick work of smoothing wire ends. It saves on hand fatigue when you need to smooth many wire ends in one sitting.

Ring Clamps:

Mahogany Ring Clamp:

Made of mahogany for strength, feel and long life, this clamp also features a metal pivot and extra strong band. Best of all, jaws are lined with extra thick leather to hold rings better while filing, grinding and polishing. Jewelers will love the feel of this clamp, the quality is simply the best available. Length 6″. Maximum opening 15mm.

Nylon Ring Clamp:

6″ Nylon Ring Clamp has leather lined jaws, round and flat ends, for securely holding rings and other objects without marring. 15mm maximum opening. New and improved band for exceptional holding power.

Sharpening Stones and Files:

A whet stone for sharpening fish hooks or knives can also be used to smooth wire ends of 22 and heavier gauge wires (finer gauges bend too easily). Rub a small drop of sewing machine oil on the stone and gently drag the wire end across the stone. Twist the wire around and repeat. Keep twisting the wire end around so the complete circumference of the wire end has been smoothed. At WireJewelry.com we carry two types of Sharpening Stones. Click to see them.

You can also use a nail file in the same manner as a whet stone, but minus the oil. The beauty supply section of your local drug store will have very fine nail files and buffers that are great to use in making jewelry. We also carry a large selection of buffs, brushes and files.

WireJewelry Professional Single Barrel Rotary Rock Tumbler, 3 Pound Drum:

If you have not used a gemstone, pearl, glass bead or cabochon in your design, tumbling an item with steel shot can further smooth wire ends. However, this is not a replacement for hand finishing wire ends.

WireJewelry Professional Single Barrel Rotary Rock Tumbler, 3 Pound Drum capacity offers the user economy and performance. Designed for years of trouble free service, it is a real workhorse. The barrel is hard rubber to minimize noise and the durable motor will last for years. Simple to operate and UL approved, 110 volts. Weight: 5 lbs. Base measures 9-1/4″ x 5-3/4″ x 2-1/2″. The barrel measures: 4-3/4″ H x 4-1/2″ diameter. Lifetime belt replacement.

How to Use a Cup Bur to Smooth your Wire Ends:

Because an ear wire is so small, the easiest way to grasp it securely for de-burring with a tool is first place it on your pointer finger. Grasp it with your thumb and then twist the cup bur back and forth several times on the wire end. Check to see if it is smooth. Repeat as often as needed to smooth the wire end. Note: All wire ends can be smoothed in the same manner.

hope that you've learned a few new ways to finish the ends of a wire!

Judy Ellis

Materials

Wire

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Tools

Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces

G14-20

G14-20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.95
Gold Club Price: $10.46

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Wire Rounder with Wooden Handle - Pack of 1

G14-19

G14-19
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Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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3.6 Volt Automatic Wire Twister (Cordless Screwdriver)

G5-15

G5-15
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Price: $42.97
Gold Club Price: $32.23

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3 Prong Wire Twister Head

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G5-2
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WireJewelry Professional Single Barrel Rotary Rock Tumbler with 3 Pound Capacity Drum (2021 Version)

G24-1V2

G24-1V2
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Price: $106.60
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Bur Set - 24 pc

BUR-400.00

BUR-400.00
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Price: $64.95
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Bench Stone, True Hard, Extra Fine Grit, 4 by 2 by 1/2 Inch

ABR-802.10

ABR-802.10
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Mahogany Ring Clamp

RCL-652.00

RCL-652.00
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Gold Club Price: $5.98

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Nylon Ring Clamp

RCL-655.00

RCL-655.00
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Price: $7.95
Gold Club Price: $5.96

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Deluxe Burs, Round Assortment, 12 Pieces

BUR-500.00

BUR-500.00
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Category: General Education
Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Making Findings, Wrapping, Weaving, Design, Tools, General Education

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!