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/diy/ - Do It Yourself

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File: 29 KB, 320x212, copper_roman_bangle2.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
403513 No.403513 [Reply] [Original]

Dear /diy/,

I want to get started in heavy gauge wire-working and come to you looking for tips, hints and texts to read. Last week, I made a thread about my current project, in relation to the gemstones I was looking to use, now I'm looking for help making the wire frame.

Thoughts and opinions on copper vs bronze (if bronze is even common), any preservation I might need to do to maintain the attractiveness of the wire (since copper likes to turn green) and preferred methods of manipulating the wire into the desired shape.

Thank you in advance.

>> No.403528

Google literally has hundreds of thousands of results for bead shit.
Copper can make your skin turn green.

>> No.403541

>>403528
It's my fault, I didn't look hard enough for an image.

A) It's going to be a thick gauge key, not jewelry
B) There won't be any beads on this, just minimally wrapped stones the size of your thumb

>> No.404217

Bump

>> No.404442
File: 30 KB, 350x350, jewelry-pliers-1A.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
404442

Copper turning green- use butchers wax or a spray sealer to prevent this. Anneal the copper with a torch before you work it and it will go much easier. Pliers are your new best friend, pic related.

>> No.404452

>>404442
I looked into that and it was suggested to use an oven (which is convenient since I don't have a torch). How I handle it afterwards and still prevent imprinting from the pliers? I see the nylon pliers (that's the only pair I don't have) but am concerned they'd suffer melting from the heated copper.

>> No.404463

>>404452
Oven wont get hot enough. Copper melts at 1900, gotta get to 1500. Top of a gas stove would work. Cheap torches are $15-$30. The nylon pliers would not have to touch the copper till its cooled, cause it stays soft after heating until it is work hardened.