Daily Wire Tip Nov. 23: Smooth Ends on Wire Wrapped Rings
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 23, 2010
Question:
I’ve been using 24- to 20-gauge wire recently for wrapped rings. What do you suggest to smooth out the end of the wire that rests against the ring finger at the end of the project?
-Mary Ann in Manhattan Beach, CA
Answer:
Mary Ann, the easiest way I know of to smooth the end of any wire used in a design is to either use a diamond file, an emery board, or a sharpening stone.
If the wire is square, file the end on an angle that is away from the creation’s base, creating an oblong surface at the end of the wire. Add a slight curve to the filed end that will cause it to curve into the base, eliminating the sharp end.
Another way to perform this technique is to use your chain nose pliers on the wire’s very end. Mash the wire’s end with your pliers, causing it to flatten, and at the same time, pull the end toward the base, adding a slight curve. Then use pliers to push it into place.
Even if the wire is round or half round, you can use either of the same techniques.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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project help, ring shank, rings, wire wrapping
Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Technique Tips‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping
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Thanks for the information. I also use my crimping pliers to round out the wire wrap.
I use a cup burr to round the wire ends. Very handy little tool and much quicker and easier than using a file.
Yes Joan, a cup burr works well on round wire such as for earring hooks, but not as well on square or half round wire. It has been my experience that square wire needs to be made flat to lay flat and a cup burr makes it rounded.
Thanks, Dale, that will help tremendously.
Glad to help Mary Ann, sometimes the simplest things make wire work so much easier. If you get into the habit of doing the ‘mash, pull & curve’ technique all the time, you will never have sharp ends again!
It is a very helpful tip, thank you
It all depends on the wire. For square wire an emery board works the best and round wire I find the mash and pull method
works best.