The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires
by Susan LeGuyader
I love making my own ear wires. Actually, I love making my own everything that I can. And while the making of things is great, your finish is just as important. Especially if it goes through someone's body part, in this case the ear.
Earlobes are tough, but when you jab an unfinished ear wire through the piercing, OUCH!
Following are my tips for smooth and silky ear wires.
First, we all know to file the end of the ear wire. There are many tools available for use. One option is the hand file or a needle file. This does an adequate job and I've used this many times on the go. es.
Another example is the use of sanding/polishing papers. Here I am using a 320 grit to get rid of any sharp edg
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
There is also the cup burr. This is probably my most favorite way to get a nice finish on my ear wires. A cup burr, when used correctly, will round off the end of your wire. It is very important to use lubricant to make the cup burr more efficient. You can lubricate either the wire or the cup burr, as both works well. After using the cup burr, feel around with your fingers from all angles to see if there are any rough edges. If there are, you can continue to use the cup burr or use the file or sanding/polishing paper.
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
When you have achieved a smooth finish, it's time for my secret weapon.... A silicone polishing point, barrel or cylinder. Whichever you have, I tend to use the blue which is a medium finish but please feel free to use the fine or extra fine cylinders. By using your polishing cylinder you give a super silky, fine and luxurious feel to the metal and it will continually glide into the piercing. I run the polishing point up and over the top of the wire and down the other side, making sure I cover ALL of the end of the ear wire.
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
There you go, quick and easy finishing to ear wires with a final polish to make them glide like silk. Below are a few versions of cup burrs, so you can see what the differences are between them. Two of them are manual and the third is for a rotary tool.
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires
Susan LeGuyader's The Final Steps for Finishing Ear Wires - , General Education, Filing, Finishing, finishing ear wires

Materials

20 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-20H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.46
  • Gold Club Price: $1.85
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Tools

Bur Set - 24 pc
BUR-400.00
  • BUR-400.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $64.95
  • Gold Club Price: $48.71
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Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
  • G14-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.95
  • Gold Club Price: $10.46
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Wire Rounder with Wooden Handle - Pack of 1
G14-19
  • G14-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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Cut Lube
BUR-180.00
  • BUR-180.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.95
  • Gold Club Price: $7.46
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Filing / Finishing