Bending machines....

[Ruedeleglise]

Any recommendations please for a jewellery bending machine? I need to bend up to 3.5.mm square silver wire into rings. I have managed a few but at the expense of sore fingers and thumbs due to having a fair degree of arthritis.


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[art925]

Could you cast them?

[Dennis]

These are what I use, because they are simple and can be put away. You must add a narrow leather strap on the outside, to avoid marking your metal, and if bending a short piece, always bend both ends before bending the middle.

Once you learn to use them. they will also close joins more tightly before soldering, and are kind to hands. https://www.hswalsh.com/product/ring-shank-bending-plier-tp191 Dennis.

[Ruedeleglise]

Many thanks. Ok for 3.5mm square wire? If so, that’s the “answer to the maidens prayer”!


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[Ruedeleglise]

Could you cast them?

Possibly but I have neither the knowledge nor equipment


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[Dennis]

Yes, it should be with frequent annealing, but I've not gone thicker than 2.5. After that, rings are generally too thick to be comfortable on the finger.

If you are going to use these heavy gauges regularly, then a bench mounted model would be more appropriate. https://www.hswalsh.com/product/ring-bending-machine-tr40

Please note that square wire can twist when bending so the resulting ring can be slightly domed when viewed sideways and will need to be flattened.

Lastly this U tube video by Andrew Berry shows 3.0mm square wire being bent. Don't be put off that he talks rather too much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaU5acww9gc
Dennis.

[china]

I use this method about 0.56 on video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl34UEa64KU&t=36s

[Ruedeleglise]

Thank both of you for your replies. The “problem” I have is in making a pendant 25mm od out of 3.5mm square silver wire. I have managed but with a lot of cussing and hand pain! I will try to attach a photo of same so you can see the problem. I like the Walsh bender. It looks substantial and simple to operate and yet not to expensive. As long as it takes 3.5mm section....

[Dennis]

Yes but you succeeded David. It's good that you are making formal jewellery that is personal and satisfying to make, but your journey might take you off in quite a different direction next. Dennis.