by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com

Tool of the Week for
October 24, 2011

sponsored by JewelryTools.com

This week’s tool: Wooden Handle Wire Rounder,
1.8 Millimeter Cup Bur, Item # BUR-261.80

This week’s featured tool from JewelryTools.com is the BUR-261.80 Wooden Handle Wire Rounder, 1.8 Millimeter Cup Bur. This easy-to-use hand tool is used for taking the sharp part at the cut end of a wire, called a burr, or bur, and smoothing it to a safe edge. This deburring technique is especially useful for finishing ear wires and other wire ends that may rub against the skin. You can find this product on JewelryTools by searching for BUR-261.80, or simply click on its picture at right.

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
September 1, 2010

Question:

I would like to know what tip width on flat nose pliers you prefer. I have been using a 6mm, but it seems a little wide for some projects.

-Sonia in Salisbury, North Carolina

Answer:

Yes, flat nose pliers with a tip width of 6mm would be great for working on specific projects using a bundle made of 18-gauge wire and larger. As you are asking me what I prefer, my favorite flat nose pliers are the Swanstrom flats.

Swanstrom Flat Nose Pliers

The width across the tip is 3mm and the thickness of the jaw’s very tip is less than 1mm. This makes them the perfect choice for traditional wirework; wide enough to push up to 14-gauge square wire, yet small enough to work in little areas like rings. The tip’s thickness is about the same as that of a 22-gauge wire, making it the perfect choice when wrapping a bundle of like width.

I also like the long handles, allowing the tool to do more of the work for me, thus saving my hands. Thanks for asking!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

Have a question? Submit your question here

Sign up to receive Daily Tips by email