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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Aug 10, 2004 16:59:57 GMT -5
Hey everyone, I know there are some great wire wrappers here, and I was wondering if I could scratch your ear (ask a question)? My wife would like to learn wire wrapping and I have purchased the basic hand tools and some practice wire. The wire is 14K gold filled in 21 and 22 guage, but I don't know about annealing the wire or ? Hence my question. I apparently missed a post a while ago, and I can't remember who it was that posted the message. It had to do with annealing the wire and different hardness of the wire. I can cut a dandy cab, but my wire wrapping looks like a sick fourth graders art project ;D I will have my wife read any replies, so I don't goof something up . Thanks again, John
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Post by krazydiamond on Aug 10, 2004 19:25:12 GMT -5
Bear, i think it was a thread that Doc was into about annealing the wire, not sure and i think he is transcontinental at this point, so you'd have to look back at some of the posts......or ask Otter's mom. haha. ahe got it nailed right off the bat.
my wire wrap is pretty sucky too, but one thing i have learned is practice, practice, practice with cheap wire first, before you attempt ANYTHING with more expensive material.
get books, lots of books, go for it, Wife-of-Bear!!
get the right tools, all the pliers, KD
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Post by Cher on Aug 10, 2004 20:27:06 GMT -5
This is something I would be very interested in learning too. I google it and found places that were offering classes but nothing near me. Can anyone recommend any good books?
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Aug 10, 2004 20:55:01 GMT -5
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RiverOtter
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 339
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Post by RiverOtter on Aug 11, 2004 1:41:56 GMT -5
I think I finally found that post you were talking about John. andy321.proboards16.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1088008960If you or your wife are still on the learning curve, may I suggest you purchase some brass wire. It's inexpensive and great to work with. And if you make a mistake, you won't feel like you've wasted a piece of pricey gold-filled wire. (Most of us wouldn't consider 14K gold-filled practice wire!) If your using square wire, you would be prudent to also buy some half-round. Use the half-round for your wraps around the square wire. It holds to the square wire better than round does. Since you make cabs, your wife might be interested in this. jewelrymaking.about.com/library/weekly/aa112398.htmIt's easy and is a good introduction to the basic techniques of wire-wrapping. This is what I used, but I didn't have a cab so I used a polished driveway rock. Pretty much the same principle. Tell your wife I said good-luck and don't forget to post pics! Otter
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Post by hermatite on Aug 11, 2004 9:06:00 GMT -5
I think, with VERY few exceptions, everyone's first wirewrapping attempts look like a fourth grader took a whack at it. What llana said is so true...practice practice practice...and ditto for the brass wire...it looks perfectly fine, lets you get the feel for it and if you cut it off the stone and toss it in the garbage? no harm no foul. There are some basic wraps in the sites mentioned but I've found that those techniques just don't excite me much... sure they provide a kind of decorative and stable setting for the stone, but right now I'm having the most fun with just takin cheap wire and experimenting with different ways to make it hold the stone...this includes swirls and straight wrapping and...oh...geez... I guess I gotta get a decent camera so I can show you what I mean. But PRACTICE...EXPERIMENT...and you never know what you'll come up with. Good luck!
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Post by creativeminded on Aug 11, 2004 10:49:56 GMT -5
I have never anneled my wire, I just use it as it comes. I have found that half-hard wire is really hard to use, but the soft is great. I also love using square wire as well, it makes a nice wrapping. Tami
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Post by hermatite on Aug 11, 2004 11:22:05 GMT -5
Half hard wire kills my wrists...I only use deadsoft for projects. It'll harden up as you work it.
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Post by Cher on Aug 11, 2004 16:38:31 GMT -5
Thanks, there's some really terrific info and some great free patterns that I downloaded. Appreicate all the help!
Cher
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 11, 2004 22:54:16 GMT -5
Hermatite, Go for it, I'm telling ya, just DO IT! I can't wire wrap, I'm too clumsy (trust me, I'm 45 and it's not going away) If you are wrapping, show some one, take the plunge. I have faith in your abilities. You should TOO.
cookie
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Post by Cher on Aug 12, 2004 11:14:33 GMT -5
I just found out that my daughter's neighbor has done wire wrapping for years so I will be able to get lessons close to home. I'm so excited, it looks like something that will be so much fun. Just have to get those rocks polished so I have something to wrap.
Cher
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Aug 12, 2004 16:23:33 GMT -5
There is a magazine called "The Wire Artist Jeweller" that I get at the Lapidary shop, and it always has some new ideas and great patterns for inspiration. I need all the instruction and inspiration I can get. You might have to do a search to find it in your area, or get it on line.
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Aug 13, 2004 1:44:10 GMT -5
Hello everyone, Thanks for the replies, my wife has read through them and has enjoyed all of the information you have provided for her. I thank each and every one of you and so does my wife Enjoy, John
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Post by docone31 on Aug 15, 2004 16:28:25 GMT -5
The one thing few people write, talk, about is sharpening the tools. You will find that makes the difference in the finished product. Sharp tools leave no marks. Also wrapping some copper around the tool when using pressure can in some instances really help. I have read this thread and there is a lot of information here. Another point that will make a difference in the finished product is..... wrapping in odd numbers, not even numbers. An example would be, on a border wrap, use three, five, wires rather than four. to anneal 14K20 gold filled wire, make a coil. Do not leave loose ends, these will melt and the wire will distort. Make a batch of 92% alcohol and boric acid. Put in enough so the boric acid settles out. Soak the wire in the mixture and flame off. It will burn green and leave a white deposit. With a wide flame propane torch against a 2X12 piece of framing lumber, heat to red. Do not worry about the surrounding fire, the propane will put it out and make carbon. You will end up with a black looking piece of wire. Soak this in pool acid. Sodium Bisulfate. This is what is known as pickle. Pickle, Sodium Bisulfate is four times the cost of pool acid, Sodium Bisulfate. Soak the whole wire in this mixture for about an hour, or a little more. Rinse in tap water, wipe dry, and wipe clean with a cloth with dry baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate. You will have annealed wire. Sodium bicarbonate on a dry rag is one of the best jewelery cleaners there is. Save the money on other stuff. Baking soda. Miracle clean. Salvaging really gone silver, wrap the silver in aluminum foil containing baking soda. Put in the oven at 350 for a few hours. Bingo! A few secrets for you folks.
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Post by cookie3rocks on Aug 15, 2004 22:51:45 GMT -5
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Post by Cher on Aug 16, 2004 0:51:05 GMT -5
That's a great link Cookie, Thanks! ;D
Cher
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