How to Harden Soft Wire

How to Make Jewelry with Beads

Bead Jewelry Making Instructions

How to Harden Soft Wire

by Anonymous

How to Harden Jewelry Wire

Rubber Mallet and Steel Bench Block

Rock Tumbler and Stainless Steel Shot

How do I temper (harden) soft wire, 20 gauge, to make it stronger for jewelry findings?

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How to Harden Soft Wire

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Two Ways to Harden Jewelry Wire
by: Wanda

First, make your jewelry finding.

Making jewelry or jewelry findings with soft wire will automatically work harden the wire to some degree.

Here are two easy ways to further harden soft wire:

Method 1: Use a Rubber Mallet and Steel Bench Block

(A) As seen in Photo 1 above, place your finding on the steel bench block.

(B) Use a rubber mallet and firmly tap the around the entire finding.

Tapping the jewelry finding will firm up or harden the wire and make the finding lie flat.

If you don't have a steel bench block, use any hard flat work surface.

You can also use a mallet made of leather.

Use a steel head hammer only if you want to both flatten and harden the wire.

Method #2: Use a Rock Tumbler to Harden Wire

(A) Place your findings in the tumbler (Photo 3) along with the steel shot and a little burnishing compound or liquid Dawn dish washing detergent (acts as a degreaser).

(B) Let the tumbler run for at least one half hour.

(C) Remove your findings from the tumbler and wipe jewelry findings dry.

Remember to follow the manufacturer's directions when using a tumbler.

These two methods will harden the wire of your findings even more and suffice for most of your jewelry making needs.

Have fun making wire jewelry!

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