Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. . These strip bails have the look of tube bails but are much easier to use.

Simple Strip Bails from Scratch

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): General Education
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
These strip bails have the look of tube bails but are much easier to use. They are simple to make, and since they are made with sheet metal scraps, they essentially cost nothing. Can't beat that!

Materials

24 Gauge Dead Soft Sterling Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H8-24SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $33.77
  • Gold Club Price: $25.33
Add to Bag
26 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H19-26SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $30.30
  • Gold Club Price: $22.72
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart

Tools

6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
  • G2-503
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
Add to Bag
Metal Cutting Shears
SHR-536.00
  • SHR-536.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
Add to Bag
Xuron Sheer - Non Serrated
SHR-691.81
  • SHR-691.81
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $31.95
  • Gold Club Price: $23.96
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
Instructions
Step 1
Read through the tutorial before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions for the space you are working in as well as all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies you will be using to complete the project.

If you work with sheet metal, you have scrap. A lot of my scrap is textured, which is a bonus because a textured bail can add a bit of interest to a piece. Pull a few pieces out of your scrap box and flatten them.
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Step 2
If the edges of the scrap pieces are not straight, draw a line and cut them straight. Using an ultra-fine point retractable Sharpie and a ruler, draw lines on the metal to make strips that are anywhere from 1/8" to a ¼" wide. There will be less edge clean-up later if a Lindstrom shear is used to cut the strips instead of a regular scissor type shear or a French shear.
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Step 3
Make sure one end is perfectly square.
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Step 4
Roll the square end on the smaller of the two middle steps of a 6 step barrel pliers. Use a flat nose pliers to squeeze the loop so the squared edge meets evenly with the strip tail. You now have a bunch of unfinished bails that can be used in a variety of ways after finishing the edges and trimming to length.
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, ,  simple strip bail from scrap metal
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Step 5
The bails on the pendants in the first two photos were soldered in place. Paste solder was put on the inside of the bail and at the loop seam before it was pressed into place on the pendant backs and soldered in place. The bail on the pendant in the third photo was soldered but could have just as easily been glued in place with a strong glue.
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Step 6
The bails used on the pendants above were on the longer side, but the ones used on these pendants made by a friend were just long enough to attach the scrap cast embellishments and frames together-only about ¼". Obviously, scraps do not need to be very large to make these useful findings!
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal
Judy Larson's Simple Strip Bails from Scratch - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, , simple strip bail from scrap metal