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Ear Wires on the Fly

by Susan LeGuyader
Do you have a studio task that is necessary but you only work on when you have no choice? I know that ear wires can be that for many makers. I don't really mind. It is a simple task that can be done in many places.

I had a shift at the shop yesterday and as the weather was really wet, anticipated that it would be really slow. I brought along my ear wire making "kit", to fill the time AND fulfill a studio need.
Instructions
Making ear wires on the fly is easy with just a few tools. My basic kit includes five essential items that shape the wire quickly and can be refined later in the studio.

I use 19-gauge half-hard wire, which creates sturdy, durable ear wires.

The rest of my kit includes a ruler, flush cutters, a cup bur (also called a wire rounder, sized for 20g wire or 0.8mm), and my favorite tool Eurotool Acculoop round nose pliers.

You can also use standard round nose pliers and bale-making pliers, but my goal was to use as few tools as possible.
Susan LeGuyader's Ear Wires on the Fly - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, tools for ear wires
Using your ruler, flush cutters and wire, measure 2" and cut.

I work in production style and cut all the pieces at one go.
After all the wire is cut, I then use the cup bur to smooth one end of the wire.
Susan LeGuyader's Ear Wires on the Fly - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, cut the wire to length
Susan LeGuyader's Ear Wires on the Fly - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, smooth the ends
After rounding one end of each piece of wire, make the first loop.

Line the wire up at the 2mm line and make a "P" loop.

Make all of the "P"-shaped loops.
Susan LeGuyader's Ear Wires on the Fly - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, make a loop
Susan LeGuyader's Ear Wires on the Fly - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Make all of the P shaped loops
Using your Acculoop pliers or bale making pliers, take 2 "P" wires and bend them at the same time.

This creates a pair of ear wires. Keep those together, so when you need them, they are ready to go.
You are left with a nice batch of ear wires.

Matched and easy to finish when needed in the studio.

Here are 20 pairs of ear wires.
Susan LeGuyader's Ear Wires on the Fly - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, bend two ear wires at one time
Susan LeGuyader's Ear Wires on the Fly - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, production ear wires

Materials

19 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-19H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $34.51
  • Gold Club Price: $25.88
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Tools

Acculoop Precision Round Nose
PLR-741.00
  • PLR-741.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.23
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.97
  • Gold Club Price: $12.73
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12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
  • G7-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
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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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  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Findings

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