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Post by roswelljero on Oct 27, 2009 23:41:55 GMT -5
This has probably been asked a thousand times, but here goes... What kind/size/etc. of practice wire should a beginner start with? (I know superioragates uses copper, but I'm not a big fan of copper.) Any suggestions as to where to purchase it would also be great. A link to the website would be above and beyond! Thanks. Later, jeri
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Post by akansan on Oct 27, 2009 23:51:08 GMT -5
Copper is probably the best thing to practice with - it shapes the most like sterling silver and gold out of any of the metals I've tried, and the cost isn't prohibitive. You won't be afraid to mess up with copper like you might with silver. You could probably work with brass as well, but the copper is best (in my opinion, of course!). I do not recommend - no way, no how - practicing with craft wire. You'll go crazy working with that! The only place I've found the square copper wire and half-round binding wire at is www.brandywinejewelrysupply.com . Recommended purchases: 22g square dead soft copper (or brass) 21g half-round half-hard copper (the 18g half-round half-hard in brass would work as well)
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 28, 2009 10:00:52 GMT -5
I was gonna recommend "exactly" what she did, right down to the sizes. The sizes are exactly what I use in the gold wire. You can polish the copper wire to a great shine with any metal polish. I get my metal polish at the auto parts store, they all sell it. (Mothers, no.7 or Turtle wax polishing compound)
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Post by superioragates on Oct 28, 2009 10:42:40 GMT -5
This is what everyone recomended for me to use too....I had to find an alternative at the time, out of financial neccesity, but this is my next goal...square wire. I am currently using 22 gauge dead soft, round, copper, and I use 24 gauge to do the bindings. For practicing, I would def. recomend copper, for the exact reason that akansan said, you won't be afraid to mess up with it. (hence the reason I haven't bought any gold or silver yet!! LOL) In the beginning there is a LOT of messing up! Marie
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