Bracing For It
I was in the studio this weekend and made these earrings. I call them the "Hoops Not Hoops". Hoops can be a challenge to latch if your fingers don't work like they used to. So I came up with a design that gives the look of hoops but made with a simple ear wire.
Instructions
One of the challenges that I came up against was how to drill a hole, while already shaped. I did not want to flatten/straighten them out again, trying to keep tool marks to a minimum. These hoops are at about one inch.
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Looking around for what I can use to brace/stabilize the ring to both hold the hoop and be able to be drilled into, I saw this cork and the hoops fit PERFECTLY.
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I was able to slide both hoop earrings onto the cork. Then tap out a guide hole for the drill bit. Bonus, the cork also fit in my GRS Multi-purpose vise and I was able to drill the holes for the ear wires easily!
Other options for bracing metal while drilling are wooden dowels. There are always other ways to accomplish what you need to do. Look outside the box.
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Materials
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Tools
Center Punch, 4 1/2 inches
PUN-450.00
- PUN-450.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.95
- Gold Club Price: $2.21
Auto Center Punch
PUN-430.00
- PUN-430.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $8.97
- Gold Club Price: $6.73
Variable Speed Rotary Tool with Flexible Shaft
G26-51
- G26-51
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $49.97
- Gold Club Price: $37.48
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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Tools, General Education
Susan LeGuyader
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