wire/rod question for wire work

Cherri · #1 2013-09-03, 7:27am

I want to make some ornaments that are on long wires or rods. I need to be able to bend them into nice shapes and wire wrap the loop.. Can someone suggest what the best metal would be to do this? Anyone have a supply for this type of thing?
At this time not looking for sterling silver as it tarnishes pretty bad around here. I am sort of pushed for time..

Thank you all in advance.

Cherri

28676bhe · #2 2013-09-03, 8:59am

Argentium?

losthelm · #3 2013-09-03, 9:02am

I use aluminum either 5356 or 4043 welding wire.
The 5356 is a bit harder and does not work well for bending back and forth or useing a draw plate. It does not tarnish much and should be ok for salt water environments.
The 4043 is a bit softer and does not work harden much.
Both should be available at the welding shop or tractor supply company.

I have a little of 18 gauge 5356 up on eBay.
Brass and copper may work but will tarnish, I sort of like some of the patina colors but it depends on the application.
Craft wire or enameled copper may work and come in all sorts of color options.
Every craft shop will have spools and coils in several colors.
I don't do much with it.
Floral wire is another option but color options may be limited.

Stainless is another option but harder to work with I'm sure you have a few bent mandrels laying around somewhere....
I have also used coat hangers, they tent to rust and the coating flakes off as you bend them.

I purchase wire from tractor supply, my local welding shop, craft stores and through
Theringlord.com shipping takes a while from Canada but the prices are decent and they have good customer support.

Eileen · #4 2013-09-03, 9:05am

Somebody posted a while ago they were using black steel. I haven't gone looking for it though, so don't know where you could get it.
I've used some copper wire we had (stripped electrical wire).

steiconi · #5 2013-09-03, 1:37pm

You can get piano wire in an assortment of sizes at most Ace Hardware stores. It's stiffer than most other wires of the same size. Not good for jewelry, but it would hold its shape with some weight dangling off the bottom of it.

mewkittie · #6 2013-09-03, 1:56pm

I made some like this:

All the beads are made on a 3/32" mandrel and with bead release. Then I made the topper piece directly on an uncoated mandrel, the bottom piece I glued in after threading the beads on.

bob · #7 2013-09-03, 2:38pm

I use Kemper high fire wire. They have two and I use the thinnest one, it sells for around $3.50 for 10 feet.
Bob

losthelm · #8 2013-09-03, 3:29pm

The black steel wire is often sold as rebar tie wire.
It's very soft and tends to rust.
Every hardware likely has it.

AmorphousDesigns · #9 2013-09-03, 5:53pm

copper wire from your local hardware store. Will develop a patina with time.

Are you melting glass directly on the wire or stringing beads/ornaments on it?

queenofsheba52 · #10 2013-09-03, 5:55pm

Susan, that is a beautiful wand/ornament/decoration. Love it!!

--Helene

Cherri · #11 2013-09-03, 6:23pm

Thanks everyone.. I am currently not going to use them in the flame.. only with beads.. but I want to bend spirals.. Losthelm I could not find your mandrels on ebay.
Susan LOVE your decoration.. so cool..
If I ever get the stuff. I will post some.. I have some wire, but it would bend to easily and I want them to have some ridigty so they will stay some what nice to look at.

Cherri · #12 2013-09-03, 6:28pm

found it losthelm.. thought were talking straight.. it is on a roll.. ok.. duh.

losthelm · #13 2013-09-03, 7:14pm

My mandrel listings ended earlier today.
I just relisted them if you need a few.

Eileen · #14 2013-09-03, 7:19pm

The copper is soft enough to spiral, but if you want it to stiffen you can hammer it a bit to stiffen it up.

Trish915 · #15 2013-09-03, 8:24pm

Parawire sells wonderful craft wire that has a non-tarnish coating. I use it all the time in my jewelry. 20 or 18 gauge is good, spirals well and you can hammer to harden it.

SilverReflections · #16 2013-09-04, 5:42am

The black iron from a hardware store may work best for what you want as far a holding the shape but it will rust at some point. I'd try a heavy gauge copper for that reason and hammer it in places to have it keep it's shape. You can buy copper by the pound online easily (monsterslayer for instance and many other places now) or you can get bare wire from the hardware store in the electrical dpmt. Its on big spools that they will cut a length from for you. Would love to see what you come up with!

Tina