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Thread: Surgical steel.

  1. #1
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    Default Surgical steel.

    Never used this before, but have been requested to make some earrings using the above for the posts as the person has a skin allergy. Any soldering problems or anything else I should be aware of please?


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  2. #2
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    Not an easy road. You can get medical quality stainless steel wire from Smiths, although you might have to phone them for advice.
    https://www.kcsmith.co.uk/productsearch?q=medical+wire,
    and use it for making ear wires, but you cant really have a soldered post, or metal scroll, for fear of a reaction where it contacts skin, close to the vulnerable piercing.

    If you are in an experimental mood, you might try using Argentium silver and Argentium solder, Which fits the bill for many.

    https://www.ganoksin.com/article/arg...-road-testing/ Dennis.

  3. #3
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    I find argentium super duper for my allergy prone skin.

  4. #4
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    Thanks for the Smiths link Dennis, most useful.
    Jules

  5. #5
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    Smiths do wire in many sizes of rods too, which is very useful if you are making brooch pins.
    Straightening wire from reels is just another thing to tease you. Dennis.

  6. #6
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    If I wanted to make my own surgical steel earwires I assume I get the soft wire, shape and hammer, so its work hardened?

    Ahh, teasing me now, eh! haha
    Jules

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis View Post
    Smiths do wire in many sizes of rods too, which is very useful if you are making brooch pins.
    Straightening wire from reels is just another thing to tease you. Dennis.
    They also do smaller packs of straight wire. I bought some on your recommendation. I seem to remember that the delivery was relatively expensive but the up side is that the wire does not need to be straightened. :-)

    https://www.kcsmith.co.uk/product/08...-r600h00800l30

  8. #8
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    Thanks Alastair, much appreciated. I bought a pack of earwires years ago and they are awful, so have sat in a box since. I'll definitely be ordering some of this wire for my more sensitive customers' earlobes. I've already got some argentium, but like to offer customers a choice.
    Jules

  9. #9
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    This thread has taken on a life of its own, but here is more for Jules:

    The material is so stiff, that once bent into ear wirers, it will need no further hammering, or hardening.

    I saw on U-tube that to make identical ear wires, you fold a piece of wire in half, bend it up as normal and then nip the two pieces apart. Dennis

  10. #10
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    Many thanks for those extra tips Dennis.
    Jules

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