Recent Cool Tools columns
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Wire is a material I use as a diversionary tactic.
When I’m facing a difficult fabrication issue
at my bench, I procrastinate on solving it by
picking up some wire to give my brain something
else to play with. Often, the instant gratification I
get with wire is just enough of a mental break to
allow solutions for the problem to bubble up from
my subconscious. I also reach for wire as a first
choice, all because it is so versatile and easy to
work with.
This issue, I have a mixed bag of fun things for
wire lovers. Afew years ago, I made two different
wire tools that I find very useful, so I’m showing
you how to make them, too. At the Tucson shows
in February, I came across a few really cool wire
tools you should know about, and a few weeks
later at the Society of North American Goldsmiths
conference I discovered a solder developed
specifically for wire filigree. It was like a winter
wire bonanza! And if you hanker for more wire
ideas after what we have in this issue, check out
our sister publication, Step By Step Wire Jewelry —
a fantastic collection of projects and features
devoted exclusively to wire. Whatever your wire
interests, break out those spools and get busy!
DOUBLE FLUSH CUTTER
These are my
hands-down favorite purchase from my most recent trip to Tucson.
Miland Suess designs and manufactures his metalwork tools for
electricians and jewelers. His sturdy cutters can handle wire up to
8-gauge and will give you a neat, absolutely perpendicular cut on
both wire ends, eliminating waste. A removable stop allows you to
cut many lengths of wire to the same measurement, and all of his
tools are made in the U.S. (www.JewelryToolsbyMiland.com)
MAKE A WIRE GAUGE
This is a handy device
to throw in your pocket before you go to a supplier or show.
How many times have you wavered on buying a strand of beads
because you weren't sure the wire you wanted to use would fit
through the drilled hole? It’s also handy when purchasing drill
bits or manufactured rivets. All you need are pliers, metal scraps,
a disc cutter or saw, number punches, some lengths of wire in
your favorite gauges, and a split ring to hang everything on. Just punch (or
saw) out the little tags, stamp the wire gauges
on them, drill holes for each gauge of wire, and wrap them as
shown. You can make this tool as utilitarian or fancy as you like -
heck, you could even make a pendant or keyring out of it.
JEWELER’S BEZEL FORM
These mandrel sets
are manufactured for wire wrapping standard size cabochons. They
are nice, chunky aluminum, and are clearly marked into divisions by
eighths. They eliminate the need to use the stone while forming
wire wrapped bezels. Although I don't wire wrap, I can see how
incredibly useful they would be - and they virtually eliminate the
danger of cracking or scratching a stone, or marring soft wire with
plier marks. I also think they would be handy for prepping regular,
soldered bezels for standard stones, for prong placement, or as tiny
mandrels for thin sheet or jump rings. Several sets are available
and each set comes with an instruction booklet for making a wire
wrapped bezel. (www.wirewraptemplates.com)
FILIGREE SOLDER
Victoria Lansford (check out
her project, page 21 of the July 2008 issue) has developed a formula for wire
solder dedicated to filigree. Her solder ingots are alloyed based on an ancient
recipe for filigree solder. Here are her tips for using it:
“Whether soldering wires to each other or to a background
sheet, it is essential to use as little solder as possible. Snippets of
wire or sheet solder can flood tiny wires, making the filigree or
scrollwork look sloppy. The powdered solder, made from filing the
ingot, lets me apply exactly the right amount and it disappears
after it has flowed. The other advantage to this recipe is that it
flows like an easy solder, but the next time I solder the same piece,
it behaves more like a medium solder and won’t accidentally reflow
too quickly.”
To use it, secure the solder ingot in a vise, file it with a coarse file,
and catch the powder in the fold of a sheet of paper. Sprinkle a small
amount on the seam to be soldered. (www.jewelryresourcesupply.com)
MAKE A SPIRALER
This tool is easy to make and will help you create consistent
spirals with any gauge of wire. With two poker chips and a long
machine screw (I used a wall anchor screw), you’ll have a tool
you can use over and over. Here’s what to do and how to use it:
Mark and drill the centers of both poker chips. Make
sure the hole and the gauge of the machine screw are the same.
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Step 1 |
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Step 2 |
Step 3 |
Cut a notch in one of the drilled holes slightly
larger than the gauge of wire you intend to use.
Insert the end of the wire into the notch. It should
exit the back of the poker chip.
Insert the machine screw from the back of the poker
chip through the hole. Ensure the wire stays in the notch.
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Step 4 |
Step 5 |
Put the other chip on top to make a “sandwich.” Hold
the chip firmly against the wire and sta rt to coil in the
space between the two chips. Wrap firmly around the screw,
taking care not to allow it to jump over or below the already
coiled wire. Stop when the coil is as large as you like. Remove
the top chip and the screw. Trim wire ends. Repeat as many
times as needed.
AND ANOTHER THING
Just because I know you’ll ask, those looping pliers on the
opening
page are from Burfitt Tools and are only available in Australia, or
online (www.burfitt.com.au) at the moment. Th ey are nicely made
and color-coded for ea se of use.
And the Wire Weaving Kit is available online (www.cooltoolchic.com) from
Cindy Moore. She also exhibits at the Tucson Electric
Park Gem and Mineral Show every year. You'll find her kit to be a
huge help for weaving wide bracelets evenly.
Cool Tools is a regular feature of Jewelry Artist. If you have a tool you would
like featured, a useful tool modification, or interesting bench trick to suggest,
or, if you'd like to join our studio of experts, contact Helen Driggs, Managing
Editor, Jewelry Artist, 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern, PA 19355,
or hdriggs@interweave.com, subject line "Cool Tools." Please include your complete
contact information with all submissions.
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