Tips for Working with 18G Wire
Question:
I found some cuff bracelets made with very large gauge (18) wire & am trying my hand at it. Any tips you can give me on working with it? Some design ideas would be great, too. I plan to mount a large focal stone in the center & am not really sure how to do it right.
I found some cuff bracelets made with very large gauge (18) wire & am trying my hand at it. Any tips you can give me on working with it? Some design ideas would be great, too. I plan to mount a large focal stone in the center & am not really sure how to do it right.
Instructions
Answer:
If you plan to work with 18g round wire, expect some denting from your pliers. Since the wire is round, flat plier surfaces can't hold it firmly without causing dents.
If the wire is square and half-hard, you'll have fewer denting issues as long as your frame is made 'on the square.'
When adding cabochons to your design, I recommend setting the stone separately and then attaching it to the frame, like the bracelet on my book cover.
Alternatively, set the cab first and make the frame in two side-by-side pieces. Make sure the wires at the joining points (where a bail would go) are long enough to incorporate into the entire bracelet bundle.
This method usually requires shaping the bracelet frame by bending the wires out and around during planning, so the stone fits between them before taping and wrapping the whole bracelet.
I suggest making the original pattern first to understand the designer's instructions before altering the design.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
If you plan to work with 18g round wire, expect some denting from your pliers. Since the wire is round, flat plier surfaces can't hold it firmly without causing dents.
If the wire is square and half-hard, you'll have fewer denting issues as long as your frame is made 'on the square.'
When adding cabochons to your design, I recommend setting the stone separately and then attaching it to the frame, like the bracelet on my book cover.
Alternatively, set the cab first and make the frame in two side-by-side pieces. Make sure the wires at the joining points (where a bail would go) are long enough to incorporate into the entire bracelet bundle.
This method usually requires shaping the bracelet frame by bending the wires out and around during planning, so the stone fits between them before taping and wrapping the whole bracelet.
I suggest making the original pattern first to understand the designer's instructions before altering the design.
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
18 Gauge wire options
Beads
Cabochons
Wire options
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
Premium Steel Bracelet Mandrel - Oval
MAN-217.00
- MAN-217.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $42.97
- Gold Club Price: $32.23
Steel Bracelet Mandrels - Round
MAN-216.00
- MAN-216.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $37.97
- Gold Club Price: $28.48
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- Category: Design
- Technique(s): Wrapping, Design, General Education
Dale Armstrong
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