Colours are as follows, with photos of each colour provided :-
Natural Copper. A clear polyurethane coating that shows the underlying natural copper colour. Easily solderable without scraping off the coating.
Deep Red. A red polyurethane coating. Easily solderable without scraping off the coating.
Deep Golden Orange. A Polyvinyl Acetal coating that gives a darker orange lustre to the underlying copper. Sometimes necessary to scrape off the coating prior to soldering
Orange-Red, Mid-Red. More colours in polyurethane coating. Easily solderable without scraping off the coating.
Light Brown, Deep Red-Brown. More colours in solderable polyurethane coating.
Dark Brown. A very tough Polyester-Imide coating. It will be necessary to scrape off the coating prior to soldering
Silver. A solid Nickel-Chromium wire that will not tarnish, even at high temperature and exposure to fingerprints. It is slightly harder and more "springy" than copper, though still easily bent. Very durable and scratch and abrasion resistant, as there is no coloured coating to be damaged - the silver colour is the colour of the metal. The colour is similar to solder or new tinned copper but, unlike these metals, will not dull or tarnish over time. It is also much stronger than copper wire. So this is generally a superior product to the tinned copper or "silver enamelled" wires that are commonly sold for art/craft/beading applications. But there is a catch. It cannot be soldered, which may or may not be an issue depending on your application. It can be joined by knotting or twisting. It is also more expensive than copper wire, but I have done my best to make it affordable. See the photo.
Buyer Beware
Some craft suppliers are selling bare copper wire, which tends to be cheap because the manufacturer has not provided a protective coating.
Be aware that bare copper wire will rapidly tarnish and look unsightly. All of my copper wire is protected with a tough enamel coating, and will never tarnish.
Would you like samples?
It is often difficult to know the exact diameter or colour you require just by looking at the photos. At the time you place an order for one or more full-length reels, contact me with a request for sample(s), and I'll include for free in your order. :)
Here is a guide to suitable wire diameters for craft and beading applications.
- 0.16mm Good for wire knitting and wire twisting. Too fine for firm shaping. Will fit through the smallest seed beads and pearls. But not very strong as it is so thin.
- 0.20mm Good for wire twisting and wire knitting. Will fit through smaller seed beads, pearls, smaller semi-precious stones and crystals (2-3mm).
- 0.32mm Good for wire twisting and wire knitting. Will fit through smaller seed beads, pearls, smaller semi-precious stones and crystals (2-3mm).
- 0.40mm Good for wire twisting and wire knitting. Use for semi-precious stones with holes too small for 24 gauge wire, pearls and smaller seed beads and crystals.
- 0.50mm Good for wire crafts and general use including wire wrapping beads and stones. This wire should fit through slim semi-precious stone holes, seed beads, pearls, smaller crystals.
- 0.63mm Good for wire crafts and general use including wire wrapping beads and stones. This wire should fit through slim semi-precious stone holes, size 11 seed beads, 4mm and larger crystals, smaller metal 2 to 3mm beads and glass beads including Czech glass.
- 0.80mm Good for making jewellery, clasps, jewellery findings, wire wrapping beads and stones, ear wires and jump rings. Will fit through most crystals 4mm and larger, larger seed beads size 8 plus, larger semi-precious and glass beads, including Czech glass.
- 1.00mm Good for making heavy jewellery as long as the bead holes are big enough, and for clasps and findings. Use for lampwork glass beads and other large glass beads, also larger metal beads.
Copper wire can be joined either by twisting, knotting, or soldering. Note that the most colours, with polyurethane coating, are very easily soldered without needing to first scrape off the protective coating.
Handy Hint. How to get wire really straight.
Sometimes you want a length of wire to be perfectly straight, with absolutely no curvature or bends or kinks at all. Here is how to do it. Secure one end of the length of wire in a vice or similar. Hold the other end with pliers, and gently pull, harder and harder, until you feel the wire just start to stretch. With thin wire, you need to be careful not too over stretch or break, while with heavy gauge wire you will need to pull quite hard. As if by magic, you will find the length of wire to now be perfectly straight, with all bends and kinks and curvature removed. Try it.
WIRE GAUGE TABLE
If the type of gauge is not specified, it can be assumed as B&S or AWG, which are identical. All of the wire sizes below are normally in stock.
Diameter Gauge
(mm)
0.062 42
0.075 41
0.085 39
0.125 36
0.150 34
0.200 32
0.250 30
0.265 30
0.280 29
0.300 29
0.315 28
0.340 28
0.355 27
0.400 26
0.500 24
0.530 24
0.630 22
0.670 21.5
0.710 21
0.750 20
0.800 20
1.00 18
1.25 16
1.30 16
1.50 14.5
1.70 13.5
1.80 13
2.00 12
2.35 11
SELLER NOTES
I aim to satisfy my customers 100%. If you have any problems or questions re product or shipping, please contact me before leaving feedback. Your satisfaction is my pleasure. And if you like my product and pricing, feel free to leave good feedback. I try hard to give the best service, largest range and reasonable prices.