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jille
25-02-2010, 06:52 AM
I'm new to silver jewellery making, but now I'm hooked and I've loads of questions.
I want to make a chain with those large hammered rings, do I use round or square wire? Whate gauge?

Yesterday I made a heart from square wire, I think the wire I used might be too heavy as I'm having trouble shaping it. I filed and soldered 2 pieces and hammered it but it could do with being more heart shaped. The V at the top needs to be more prominent, is there a way of pushing it down a bit? The sides need curving out more.
I'd appreciate your help
thanks
Jill

MuranoSilver
25-02-2010, 08:03 AM
Hi Jill
Round wire would probably be easier to bend, shape & line up.
Depending on how hard you hammer the wire they're going to flatten out a lot anyway.
Nic x

ps_bond
25-02-2010, 08:33 AM
Assuming I've understood correctly, the top V of your heart could be sharpened up by cutting into the inside of the bend with a saw; the further in you cut, the sharper the outside of the bend can be. Then bend it so the cut closes and see if it is acute enough yet. If not, run the sawblade in the cut to widen the cut again & repeat. Once it is right, solder it.

jille
25-02-2010, 02:42 PM
Thanks Nic and Peter for your replies, what thickness wire should i use for chunky hammered rings?

Peter i tried your suggestion, then ended up cutting right thru, I will try and bend the wire to make the V deeper, and file some off, i hope it works, the wire is quite firm and hard to bend.

Jill

ps_bond
25-02-2010, 03:53 PM
Ah. I perhaps should have emphasised *not* cutting all the way through? You could always solder the bits back together, but it will make subsequent adjustment tricky.

jille
25-02-2010, 06:00 PM
Hi Peter
cutting thru actually worked out well as I filed down the edge to a better angle and resoldered, it looks much better now
thank you

ps_bond
25-02-2010, 06:53 PM
Wonderful! Pics?

MuranoSilver
25-02-2010, 07:08 PM
Thanks Nic and Peter for your replies, what thickness wire should i use for chunky hammered rings?
Jill
I use 1.5 mm :)

jille
26-02-2010, 06:27 AM
Thanks Nic , I'll try and post some pix soon, but I'm away next week as I'm busy moving house