[Jewelry making - Article 00130] - Re: [Orchid] What should I be stringing on...

[Tracy Burlison]

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Hi Joanna,

    I use #19 all the time. If you're getting a lot of necklaces back,
    then it's one of a couple of things. 

    1. Weight of what you're stringing is too heavy for #19 (switch to
    next step stronger). 

    2. You're over-mashing your crimp beads and cutting the plastic
    coating. This leaves a rough edge and will cause the wire to break &
    fail. Make sure you're using a 2X2 sterling silver crimp tube and a
    micro pair of pliers. Mash hard once to get your double tube, then
    gently mash in the round part one more time. DO NOT try to make them
    round again.... this is where you get the most metal failure. Just
    crimp them tight. 

    3. The line keeps slipping out of the tube... crimp tubes are too
    big. Double your strands if possible. 

    Some people have had good luck with tornado crimp tubes. They are
    more expensive, but seem to do better. Your crimp, bead, crimp method
    is the best way to finish. You might want to add one more smooth bead
    on the end before you have a stone -- this helps protect from contact
    breakage from a rough burr from drilling right up against a crimp. 

Hope this helps some,
Tracy
Tracy's Treasures
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