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Post by brad on Apr 4, 2024 7:32:26 GMT -6
With my remaining piece of 1/4" silver square wire, I am making another twisted silver cuff. Here it is in rough early form. I have textured the center area with a coarse-grain hammer, filed the corners down a bit, and flattened the ends. I annealed again. The pic is at this point. Next, work on the ends to flatten a bit more and widen a tad, then dress ends and file a bit. After that, I will anneal again to form the cuff and polish. Brad  |
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Post by DawninCal on Apr 6, 2024 10:39:17 GMT -6
I always like seeing your progress photos, Brad. What did you use to twist the wire? I use a drill or a dremel, but I wonder if a drill has what it takes to twist wire that size.  Dawn |
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Post by brad on Apr 6, 2024 16:22:05 GMT -6
With thicker than 1/8” wire, I go clamp one end in vice and clamp vice grips on the top side. Say a prayer and start twisting. If my annealing is adequate, I can complete the twist without re-annealing. The vice and vice grip leaves ugly scars, so I had to sacrifice a 1/2” at each end. With this current piece, I got to thinking….i cut off an inch (2 cuts) of copper pipe then beat those pieces down to an oval sleeve. Slipped those over each end to absorb the clamping marks. It worked great. Saved metal, and saved extra filing.
With smaller round wire or bundles of round wire i use two chucks from drill presses, I bought at the surplus and used stufff store in town. Put both ends in large chucks and hand turn. Brad
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Post by Irith-Rita on Apr 7, 2024 14:37:23 GMT -6
As this is a thick piece of silver wire, I suppose it is not easy to twist it while using the chucks. Even when annealed. I would have to ask my son in law to help me with it. Naturally his hands are much stronger than mine. Instead of bothering him with it (I prefer doing things by myself) I would carve it in wax which is fun, and have it cast.
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Post by brad on Apr 7, 2024 14:47:14 GMT -6
As this is a thick piece of silver wire, I suppose it is not easy to turn it while using the chucks. Even when annealed. I ask my son in law to help me with it, Naturally his hands are much stronger than mine) but instead of bothering him with it I carve it in wax which is fun, and have it cast. I have never tried any wax methods. A friend in our old band was a custom jeweler and repairman. He used to let me watch him do a lost wax casting. (If my terms are correct?) I admit to being fascinated, but that was well before I even thought about making jewelry. Brad |
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