coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on Jun 12, 2009 15:50:59 GMT -5
Starting off and not wanting to spend alot of money practicing and messing up....kind of a perfectionist so ill wrap and cut untill its right in my head.
Can i go out and just buy basic wire at a hardware store and use that for wraps for practice? copper wire? picture frame wire? hobby wire?
Would a craft store have the good gold filled or silver wire? or something less expensive that i can buy?
and what gauges of wire do i need to get? or can i do basic wraps witht the same gauge of wire?
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Post by rockmanken on Jun 12, 2009 16:11:05 GMT -5
Some Michael's and some Hobby Lobby have craft wire. Some have copper and some have colored wire. 20, 21, 22 guage square is the common sizes for wrapping with 21 or 22 1/2 round for wrap wire. Personally, I started with sterling wire because I would be more careful and if I screwed up, it would not happen again. With inexpensive copper or craft wire, I know I would be sloppy with it. If you use silver or gold filled wire, SAVE ALL your scraps. Monsterslayer will give you credit for them with an order. I have approx. 10 oz. of scrap saved up right now waiting for the next order. Hope this helps, Ken
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kjohn0102
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since April 2006
Posts: 774
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Post by kjohn0102 on Jun 12, 2009 16:28:22 GMT -5
You'll have to go on line to find good prices on GF and Sterling silver wire. Copper is the best practice wire, and looks good too. Below are links to a few that I use the most. Thunderbird supply has become my favorite-they run super sales every quarter which deep discounts on wire. MonsterSlayer: www.monsterslayer.com/Pages/CatalogIndex.aspxThunderbird: www.thunderbirdsupply.com/Have fun! kj
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Post by 150FromFundy on Jun 12, 2009 17:46:52 GMT -5
I have tried the round craft wire from Michaels because I was curious, but not ready to invest in real wire and met with only frustration. I think you will just get frustrated and discouraged if you take this route. The craft wire is the wrong gage, the wrong section shape, and the wrong hardness. It's basically WRONG!
Follow BikerRandy's post and get the correct gage, use square and half-round wire, and get dead-soft and half-hard. Copper is affordable to start out on. Try Brandywine on-line if you don't find another source.
150FromFundy
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damammy
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2009
Posts: 697
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Post by damammy on Jun 12, 2009 18:22:20 GMT -5
You can get square copper and half round for binding at /www.brandywinejewelrysupply.com.
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coasthunterjay
starting to spend too much on rocks
Carefull ive got a gun....and a closet full of rocks
Member since May 2009
Posts: 155
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Post by coasthunterjay on Jun 12, 2009 20:17:15 GMT -5
thanks guys....im gonna go stop off at a couple small craft stores and see if they have anything i can mess with......
Thanks guys.......! JAY
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