Larger gauge sterling silver wire?

[1711]

I visited Art in Action this year and watched somebody making really chunky chain links from 6mm (not 0.6!) round wire..

I'd like to try making some body mod stuff in sterling and 6mm or even 8mm would be interesting (that's a statement I wouldn't have ever imagined would come from my own mouth [emoji13]) I haven't had any luck searching for it... So do I have to have a rolling mill. And make My own?

I'm adding to my kit as and when I can but a rolling mill is such a long way down the list.

Regards

Gordon

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[Goldsmith]

Cookson sells silver rods of the thicknesses you like and up to 2 feet lengths, see; http://www.cooksongold.com/category_select.jsp?query=sterling+silver+rod

James

[1711]

Wow! I looked on the app under wires and that doesn't come up! Thank you you are a star!

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[Dennis]

I visited Art in Action this year and watched somebody making really chunky chain links from 6mm (not 0.6!) round wire.. I'd like to try making some body mod stuff in sterling and 6mm or even 8mm would be interesting (that's a statement I wouldn't have ever imagined would come from my own mouth [emoji13]) I haven't had any luck searching for it... So do I have to have a rolling mill. And make My own? Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

Gordon, many rolling mills have rollers with V shaped notches which are brilliant for making square wire from ingots or offcuts but then you need to move on to a draw bench and a draw plate to convert it to round. Dennis.

[caroleallen]

I can't imagine where you would start to make a chain from 6mm wire. I can't even bend that size into a bangle very easily.

[LydiaNiz]

my thoughts too Carole! I made a chain with 2.5mm hammered links (a gent's bracelet) and the state of my hands afterwards was grim!

[Dennis]

Cooksons are all for it though.

[Petal]

my thoughts too Carole! I made a chain with 2.5mm hammered links (a gent's bracelet) and the state of my hands afterwards was grim!

2mm is the largest chain I have made and my hands were in a state too!

Good luck with your project Gordon - I don't envy you though.

[1711]

2mm is the largest chain I have made and my hands were in a state too!

Good luck with your project Gordon - I don't envy you though.
Thankfully it's a fairly large diameter internally.. I'm not trying to make a 20mm jump ring [emoji1]

The young lady I was watching was a dainty and delicate petite build and was doing a nifty job of bending and manipulating her links I have to say.. But I will be starting off with just enough silver just in case I'm much more wimpy than her [emoji3]

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[china]

If by "body mod stuff" you mean piercings Sterling silver is not suitable

[ps_bond]

Interesting statement - why not?

[china]

Sterling Silver is not considered suitable as too many people throw a reaction to it, more so than non invasive contact, most people who want these items will expect titanium or surgical stainless steel

[ps_bond]

Some people will throw a reaction to anything... However, sterling silver is usually considered hypoallergenic and perfectly acceptable for earrings (studs, hooks et al), which is of course a subset of piercings. Stainless is an odd one to consider when you factor in the nickel content that is in many blends.

Curious - I haven't made any for other holes, so not something I'd particularly looked at.

[china]

Yes I agree with all that you say, it is more of a buyer driven requirement, I dabble in this realm in a small way and can not sell any thing made from Sterling silver
although with general jewellery i.e. earrings I have no trouble selling them.

[enigma]

Is there nickel in surgical grade stainless steel though Peter?

[ps_bond]

"Surgical grade stainless" (a term I like as much as "aircraft-grade aluminium"!) is usually 316 or 316L (lower carbon variant) stainless - and they both have 11.5% Ni in them.

http://www.brownmac.com/products/stainless-steel-plate/Stainless-Steel-316-and-316l.aspx

[enigma]

Strange that its considered to be so highly anti allergenic then :confused:

[ps_bond]

I'd guess it's down to the release rate rather than the presence - although it can still cause issues with nickel sensitivity.
What, you want logical legislation now??? :D

[enigma]

Hey, think yourself lucky you don't live in Portugal when it comes to legislation, its seriously bonkers here LOL