Westlake Publishing Forums

General Category => Tips, Tricks, Techniques & Tools => Topic started by: Bill Gill on December 14, 2014, 10:23:15 AM

Title: wire end rounding tool
Post by: Bill Gill on December 14, 2014, 10:23:15 AM
Perhaps a bit of an extravagance, but tools are always a temptation. This tool is designed to round the rough cut ends of wire used for jewelry making. The price here is $8. The package says it works with wire from 16  to 28 gauge. Most jewelry wire is copper, often with different coatings, so it is designed for soft metal. Will it work on styrene rod?
What to do with it? One idea that leaps to mind is making round rivet heads out of brass wire or styrene rod. Anyone have more ideas?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197644528/bead-buddy-wire-rounder?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=supplies-handmade-tool-low&ione_adtype=pla&ione_creative=54864763235&ione_product_id=197644528&ione_product_partition_id=89248464755&ione_store_code=&ione_device=c&ione_product_channel=online&ione_merchant_id=101359832&ione_product_country=US&ione_product_language=en&gclid=CLrg8Y2LxsICFeZj7Aod_2wAIw
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: Design-HSB on December 14, 2014, 12:55:17 PM
Hi Bill,

I own and use such a router, but use them in the mini drill.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buntbahn.de%2Ffotos%2Fdata%2F6484%2F13P1000204.JPG&hash=b9c7ee0b5aa07ec8e3ecd5ae49468fc1d48e887a)
"Hohlfräsersatz"  or in English, cutter for forming hemispherical ends.

(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buntbahn.de%2Ffotos%2Fdata%2F6264%2F13Sackkarre02.jpg&hash=615d06aef5b26b3b1ec7be9709dae426dbe54391)
The rivet heads shown here have been created.
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: eTraxx on December 14, 2014, 01:06:51 PM
Bill-
One of the places I always stop when at Michaels is the jewelry section of the store .. specifically the tools section including the beading tools such as that.
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: Bill Gill on December 14, 2014, 01:44:52 PM
Hi Helmut, I did a search for "hemispherical end cutter" with a few different variations in wording but kept getting a tool that cuts a hemispherically shaped hole instead of a rounded hemispherical end on a rod or wire, but I will keep looking, thanks.

Ed, Yes, sometime random browsing of craft store supplies uncovers all kinds of useful bits and pieces. I remember you and Dallas used googly eyes. You for the ends of a fuel tank, he for a trashcan lid.
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: Bexley on December 14, 2014, 10:50:19 PM
Try searching for "cup burr."

From Rio Grande (http://www.riogrande.com/Product/LYNX-Cup-Bur-Set-of-12/344365?Pos=30), one of my favorite websites to drool over peruse.
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: Bill Gill on December 15, 2014, 05:13:02 AM
Thanks! That finds them. Will they work on styrene rod?
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: Design-HSB on December 15, 2014, 05:52:33 AM
Quote from: Bill Gill on December 15, 2014, 05:13:02 AM
Thanks! That finds them. Will they work on styrene rod?
Hi Bill,

yes if you slowly, turn without much pressure.
The plastic must not melt.
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: Bill Gill on December 15, 2014, 06:35:42 AM
Danke, Helmut!
Title: Re: wire end rounding tool
Post by: lab-dad on December 15, 2014, 08:19:17 AM
I have a set - great tool!
use by hand on styrene.
works on brass and steel too (with a lubricant)
-marty