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Hi Guys, recently I tried using wire to make my own findings but found that the wire was too soft and didn't hold it's shape, what type and gauge of wire do you guys use?

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Hi Laura

I use 0.8mm (I think that is 22 guage) at least to get a good strength and size to make findings - if you use silver wire then you can get the wire in the softness you want and guage you want - personsally I am still using copper silver plated as I am only a beginner.

 

Hope this helps

 

Jane

This is an old post but I will respond anyway.:>)

When you purchase wire of any kind the "hardness" should be part of the information along with the gauge.

Depending on what you are doing and your personal preference for some things, you will want a harder or softer wire.

Wire can be dead soft, 1/4 hard 1/2 hard, or full hard. Most are sold as dead soft or half hard unless you use (what I have recently found) a chain maille supplier.

 A naturally soft wire like copper in a 19 or 20 gauge from the hardware store I find is a great practice wire. Using that I fell in love with copper!

I work in silver plated as well as a huge new love for copper.

I have 18, 20, 22 and 24 full hard copper wire which is still very bendable and workable with the exception of the 18 gauge which is a hefty wire. I am gong to try some 1/2 hard 18 gauge and likey will use it more often.

Each metal has its own property at each hardness and gauge. A steel or brass  half hard wire at 20 gauge will "feel/work" differently than a copper 1/2 hard 20 gauge.

Hardness is relative to each metals basic properties rather than a "specific" hardness across all metals.

Re Jane Kirks response. I prefer 20 gauge myself. Maybe 21. Personally I find 22 too fine s there you see there is personal difference and it depends on what you are making and what your style is etc..

also there are 2 Gauge standards..also fairly recent news to me and why i could not understand why my 22 g headpins from xstore are different than the same gauge from y store.

There is an American Gauge Measurement and a Standard Gauge Measurement.

Each will have their own mm or inch corresponding size. when you are talking about .5 or 6mm it can make a difference.

A relatively simple way to try a number of gauges is with plain headpins.

Hope this was helpful. I am not an expert but really enjoy finding information and sharing it when/where I can.

Hi Laura Jane
To make findings I would use 0.8mm (20 gauge) and it can be work hardened by either hammering gently (not to flatten it) or gentle manipulation of the wire with your hands or tools - silver wire for example can be work hardened by twisting it in your fingers, do it a few times and see if it is hard enough for you, if not do it again.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Jane

Hi Laura,

Since my jewelry is mostly copper, that's the metal I usually use for findings although sometimes I use bronze or brass as well.  I use 16 to 14 gauge wire and hammer it a bit to stiffen it and retain it's shape.  This works great for my jump rings, clasps, links and pendant frames.  You can also coil around your wire to keep it the proper shape.  Good Luck. 

When I started I also had this problem a couple times, you could be using too soft a wire BUT it is important to remember that work hardening your pieces can really make a difference. By using a jewelry hammer and a bench block or anvil you can take those pieces that are a bit too soft and harden them up. Hammer and block aren't expensive, and can be found most places now. Michael's carries them now. Or you can get them off the internet. Otherwise got to a professional jewelry shop and talk to them about the project you're working on, many of them will know exactly what kind of wire you'll need. Best of luck

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