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Daily Wire Tip Apr. 2: Sheet Metal Gauge for Bead Caps

By on April 1, 2011
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
April 2, 2011

Question:

I want to make bead caps using a disk cutter and dapper. What gauge of sheet metal (copper, brass, sterling silver) do I use?

-Joyce in Coconut Grove, Florida

Answer:

Well, Joyce, that would depend on the size of the caps you wish to make! Most folks generally like 21- or 20-gauge (.7 or .8mm), unless it is for a smaller bead; then they prefer 24-gauge (.5mm). My advice would be to get a small sheet of each from a supplier, practice making your bead caps, and then decide which size works best in the designs you most often create.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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6 Comments

  1. avatar

    Patricia Whitlow

    April 2, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    I would think purchasing bead caps would be cheaper then trying to make them. What with the cost of raw material being so high unless you purchase large quantities. Making them from sheets as you said seems to be there would be a lot of wasted material, and that is never good.

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      April 2, 2011 at 5:08 pm

      I agree Patricia, however there is a satisfaction from making something yourself – especially if you make your own beads and cannot find manufactured caps to fit : )

  2. avatar

    mary

    April 4, 2011 at 10:28 am

    Wow…why would you? Unless you are into etching or something and want to give them a distinctive pattern.
    At todays market prices, it is way cheaper to buy bead caps. The time you will loose having to make them, well, you can figure that out and see how it will add to your bottom line.

  3. avatar

    Serene Doe

    April 5, 2011 at 1:50 am

    I personally think this is a great idea. I prefer to make as many “findings” as possible–to paraphrase Dale, for the sheer satisfaction! I purchased expensive “fine silver” caps from one place (an unknown), paid a good price, and they stuck to the magnet I keep for that purpose (to test metal). If it was plated it wasn’t even well-plated. I phoned and after a long battle and a letter I got a credit (they didn’t want them back; they knew they were rubbish).

    I would start with the cheapest metal sheets and experiment but you’ve given me an idea. I don’t do many bead caps so buying them (I usually buy 14K gold or fine silver) isn’t cheap. I usually have sheets of precious metal in different gauges because I do metal work but I use it as sparingly as possible–it lasts a long time. Shop wisely and practice on the cheaper stuff! Good luck! I hope you report back to the blog on your progress–I’d like to know how it goes!

  4. avatar

    Serene Doe

    April 5, 2011 at 1:56 am

    One little comment regarding what Dale said. There is great satisfaction in doing your own work–even if it takes extra time. I’ve been lost for hours in small projects (I don’t charge all that time because I’m having a great time with creativity–it’s what I love to do). I realize not all people have the ability to take leisure time and work like that, but this is not something to be rushed. It should be enjoyed. If you take your work slowly you see new variations and new designs! If you speed through it and just do it quickly, is it that much fun? If I have to hurry, I put something aside for when I can do it later and maybe Dremel some beads or something–do “housekeeping.” I am always working on my jewelry business in one form or another be it my fine jewelry or my Native American jewelry and crafting (pow-wow regalia and such).

  5. avatar

    Mary

    April 5, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    Well after reading what Serene wrote I am now tempted to dig out the silver sheet metal, the dapping block and other tools and play for a bit. Sometimes we all get bogged down with watching the bottom line and all the deadlines and forget about the expression of ourselves in what we make.

    Thanks Serene for reminding us of that fact. I am off to play in the shop. :-)