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Wire Density Questions

Suddenly, I'm confused!

I know there's different densities of wire (i.e. Half Hard and Dead Soft, altho' I've forgotten all the different densities and what the differences are between them), and I believe Dead Soft is what I normally use for my wire work. However, none of my packaging says what the density is, and I wanted to order some from Artbeads.com... and I have to pick which I want.

My question is, which do you prefer for your wire work? I do mostly "dainty" wire wrap stuff, and I've recently begun dabbling in bead wrapping with wire. Is the Dead Soft really what I want to use, or should I be using the harder wire?

Thanks! Karenator

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Reply to
Karen Chan
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You should probably stick with half hard rather than dead soft. Dead soft is easier to work with but it tends not to hold it's shape as well unless you heavily work it. If you do a lot of bending and twisting then dead soft is ok since with work it will get to or get close to half hard. At the same time if you do a lot of bending and twisting keep in mind the more you work the metal wire the harder and more brittle it gets. The concept is like bending a paper clip back and forth until it breaks, it gets harder and more brittle until it breaks, silver is the same. The only time I use dead soft any more is when I hammer it or twist it.

Reply to
grenner

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "grenner" :

]You should probably stick with half hard rather than dead soft. Dead soft ]is easier to work with but it tends not to hold it's shape as well unless ]you heavily work it.

but all you have to do to harden it is to run it through a tumbler with stainless steel shot. hardens up beautifully.

Reply to
vj

And whacking it with a hammer hardens it easily if it's a flat design.

Tina

Reply to
Christina Peterson

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