Don't forget that it might make it easier to straighten if you anneal it first, as it will have hardened if it has been used before. Small pieces I straigten with nylon jawed pliers.
Don't forget that it might make it easier to straighten if you anneal it first, as it will have hardened if it has been used before. Small pieces I straigten with nylon jawed pliers.
Ah, I didn't know that, though I have heard of annealing before. I've just looked up the process in one of my books and, unfortunately, haven't got the equipment for that and don't want to go anywhere near a torch.
Is there any other way of annealing wire, other than with a torch?
Jules x
REally?! I suppose it should be obvious - heat and all that - but it hadn't occurred to me.
Di x
I use nylon pliers too, and sometimes depending on the size and state of the wire, just run it through my fingers.
Lucinda
A quick and easy way to straighten wire upto 2.0mm is to use a chammois leather.
Hold the chammois around the wire and pull steady and firmly the length of the wire. Do this 3 or 4 times till wire is straight.
Word of caution the wire will be hot by the time you have finished, therefore no nead to anneal, unless you want to
OOh thanks for that Sheltie, you've made my day, as I really didn't want to get a kiln, or a torch! Brilliant !!!!!! You're a star!
night night
Jules x
Ant time. It was an old wire worker that told me
I just had to straighten 2mm wire when I was making my pentacle as the branches of the star needed to be absolutely straight, and I used my hammer on steal plate.
To check if it was straight enough, I just rolled it on the table (a bit like with a rolling pin) with one hand at either end of the piece of wire. It was easier to spot where it needed straightening (anything sticking up).
Not sure if it helps, and sorry if that's an obvious tip and everybody uses that technique...
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