Jewelry Making – Making a flat wire coil
A flat coiled unit is usually made of round wire. It may be the foundation of an article and is often used for decoration, either as a single unit or several combined to make a pattern.
The wire ends of the unit may be turned under at right angles to form staples so that it can be used as a decorative stud on leather or fabric. The unit may hang as a pendant or several may be linked together to form a chain.
The jig
14 gauge or heavier metal sheet. Saw a 1 inch disk or larger. Drill a hole in the center of the disk the size of the mandrel which determines the size hole in the center of the coil. File a notch in the edge of the hole the size of the wire to be used for the coil.
Coiling wire 18 gauge or lighter
Cut a wire length, and insert the end and mandrel 1/2 inch through the hole in the disk, and the wire in the notch. Bend the annealed wire around the mandrel, and hold both the wire and the mandrel in the jaws of the hand vise. Wind the wire to make the coil by turning the vise. Keep the coil flat with the thumb of the left hand while coiling. Each ring must touch the ring just made and lie flat on the disk. Place the hand vise in the jaws of the table vise. Insert the end of the mandrel in the hole of the setting tool. Tap the end of the setting tool to flatten the coil. Repeat this operation often to keep the coil flat.
Coiling wire 16 gauge or heavier
Insert the wire end and mandrel through the hole in the disk. Hold as described above. Place a hand vise in the jaws of the table vise. Hold the loose end of the wire in the right hand, and wind on the disk.
The setting tool
Saw a short length of hard wood rod (a broom handle). File one end smooth and flat and finish with sandpaper. Drill a hole in the center larger in diameter than the man¬drel and deeper than the length of the mandrel.
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