Daily Wire Tip: How to Use a Wire Gauge
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
Question:
How do I find out what size my wire is? I’m not sure what wire gauge it is.
-Mary in Santa Rosa, California
Answer:
Mary, you can use a wire gauge tool to determine the size. I would like to explain how to use a wire gauge.
If you hover over this picture of a wire gauge tool, you will notice that the top of the slit between each number/size is straight on each side. This is where your wire is placed to determine its size. Simply fit the wire between the slits until the wire rubs against them: not too tight, but still snug.
You can measure round, half round, and square wire with this tool. For half round, make sure you measure across the widest point of the wire. For square wire, place the flat sides of the wire between the metal slits.
Here’s an image of the Wire-Sculpture staff measuring a 14-gauge round piece of copper wire.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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gold jewelry making wire, jewelry making tools, wire gauge
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I believe that any wire, whether round, square, half-round, triangle, etc. is subject to having an assigned wire gauge “size” to it. Checking in the front of most jewelry supply catalogs will give you a breakdown on types of wire as well as gauges, etc.
After determining the gauges, a useful tip is to get an expanding folder and place the different gauges in different sections. This helps keep your wire together but separate at the same time.
I use zip lock bags (the zippered kind) to hold my wire coils and they are marked with a Sharpie for type, gauge, half-hard, etc. These are then placed in a hanging folder, which is then hung in a plastic box designed for files next to my work bench. I stack several boxes to bring the “wire” box level with the desk. I store extra materials, books, and tools in the bottom boxes.
That’s a fantastic idea. I’m always looking for more space to store jewelry supplies.