Getting a Uniform Round Edge on Wire
When you cut wire with flush cutters, you'll notice a small ridge left in the center of the cut-it's slightly raised and not perfectly smooth. To give your wire ends a clean, finished look, this ridge needs to be filed flat.
If the end of the wire might touch skin or snag on clothing, it's also a good idea to round off the sharp edge around the tip. This makes your jewelry more comfortable and wearable.
Rounding wire ends can also be a design choice. You can fully round the tip-similar to the prongs used in gemstone settings-or simply soften the sharp edge around the perimeter.
If the end of the wire might touch skin or snag on clothing, it's also a good idea to round off the sharp edge around the tip. This makes your jewelry more comfortable and wearable.
Rounding wire ends can also be a design choice. You can fully round the tip-similar to the prongs used in gemstone settings-or simply soften the sharp edge around the perimeter.
Instructions
You can use a file or sandpaper for this step, but if you want a quick and consistent finish, a cup bur is a great tool to try.
They're available pre-mounted on wooden dowels, or you can buy the burs on their own and use them with a pin vise or rotary tool.
You can even just twist one between your fingers if that's what you have on hand.
Cup burs are designed to cut in a single direction: If you're looking into the cup, they cut counterclockwise.
If you're looking at the back of the bur, they cut clockwise.
They're available pre-mounted on wooden dowels, or you can buy the burs on their own and use them with a pin vise or rotary tool.
You can even just twist one between your fingers if that's what you have on hand.
Cup burs are designed to cut in a single direction: If you're looking into the cup, they cut counterclockwise.
If you're looking at the back of the bur, they cut clockwise.
Cup burs give you a consistent, rounded shape every time-unlike a file, which takes more time and effort to get just right.
They also come in a variety of sizes.
When I first started using cup burs, I assumed a 1mm bur would be perfect for 1mm wire-but that's not quite how it works.
The burs I use are sized based on the outer diameter of the cup, not the size of wire they fit.
Since the wire needs to sit inside the cup, a 1mm bur is actually too small for 1mm wire.
I use a 1.4mm bur instead.
It might take a bit of trial and error to find the size that gives your wire a perfectly rounded edge, but once you do, it's a real time-saver.
They also come in a variety of sizes.
When I first started using cup burs, I assumed a 1mm bur would be perfect for 1mm wire-but that's not quite how it works.
The burs I use are sized based on the outer diameter of the cup, not the size of wire they fit.
Since the wire needs to sit inside the cup, a 1mm bur is actually too small for 1mm wire.
I use a 1.4mm bur instead.
It might take a bit of trial and error to find the size that gives your wire a perfectly rounded edge, but once you do, it's a real time-saver.
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Materials
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Tools
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
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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- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, General Education
Kylie Jones
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