Dade City FL 33523   Our Online craft metal catalog: COPPER SHEET METAL BRASS & BRONZE SHEET   ALUMINUM SHEET THIN SHEET METAL Foil Armature wire: ALUMINUM WIRE  COPPER WIRE  BRASS Bronze WIRE NICKEL SILVER WIRE CRAFT WIRE:  TOOLS & SUPPLIES  RECYCLED & VINTAGE METALS SALES & SAMPLE SETS How to SOLDER BOOKLET

ARMATURE WIRE for Sculpture & animation (not for electrical use) This high quality wire is especially suited for armatures ,sculptures and stop motion animation figures. MORE ABOUT WIRE     This solid raw wire comes in many gauge thicknesses shown below.More about Gauge thickness   ALUMINUM ARMATURE WIRE COPPER ARMATURE WIRE:     Order samples below. Fast Shipping... About shipping   Rush Orders

CRAFT METAL SUPPLIES FOR OVER 25 YEARS   Instant Answers on Ordering & Metal   Metal Crafting information       Order securely through our cart   E-MAIL US   Use your browser to add this page to your favorites  Updated Updated Jan 16 2010

ALUMINUM ARMETURE WIRE

   This round aluminum craft wire is light weight & inexpensive.

This silvery colored metal comes in a satin finish & resists tarnishing more than copper or silver. 

 

The Medium Stiff Aluminum Wire belowbends less easily & holds its shape when bent.

 

The extra Soft Aluminum Wire bends very easily especially the thinner wire.

 

  The wire below are the ones most used sculptures. CLICK HERE FOR THIN ALUMINUM WIRE

 

Aluminum fastens by wrapping, epoxy or glue. It does not easily solder.    Our wire is LEAD FREE. 

Order samples to see what works best. Sample sets of Aluminum Wire:

Aluminum Wire Medium Stiff-

Medium Stiff wire is a bit stiffer than our soft wire, when bent it is springy & holds its shape- Ideal for Jewelry. This is also known as "Half Hard" Wire.This wire has a satin finish. They are bendable by hand, though the thicker 9 gauge takes more force to bend. This wire is springy- use caution when opening coils.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OUR ALUMINUM WIRES

 

ALUMINUM WIRE	JEWELERS BRONZE & BRASS WIRE	NICKEL SILVER WIRE	COPPER WIRE	WIRE CRAFT TOOLS
ALUMINUM SHEET	BRASS SHEET METAL	BRONZE SHEET METAL	COPPER SHEET METAL	Nickel "silver" Sheet
ALUMINUM FOIL FOR EMBOSSING	BRASS FOIL for EMBOSSING	Blue, Red, Green Foils Gold Colored Foil Copper Colored Aluminum Foil	COPPER Foil for EMBOSSING	FOIL EMBOSSING TOOLS
METAL CRAFT TOOLS SHEET METAL TIN SNIPS	How to SOLDER BOOKLET	SALES & SAMPLE SETS	Recycled & Vintage Craft Metal	POLISHING CLOTHS

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Brass Craft Wire

Also known as Jewelers bronze Wire

 

This solid  round Brass Wire is of the highest quality for Jewelry or Fine Craft work.

  It is a special alloy of approximately 85% copper and 15% zinc created to resemble the color of 14 karat gold for jewelry and craft. This brass is also known as Jewelers bronze or Merlin's gold.

   This medium soft bare bass wire is bendable by hand. It tarnishes slower than copper.

 

The thicker 12 ,10 & 8 gauge brass wire is stiffer than the thin wire & pliers will help in bending. Although brass is a bit stiffer than the same thickness of copper; it holds its shape better. 

 This high quality raw brass wire comes in a bright satin finish which buffs up to a bright finish. See our Quick Polishing jewelry cloth SEE OUR NEW SQUARE BRASS WIRE below 

     Order samples to see what works best.

Special:Order any 2 or more wire spools or coils and we will upgrade to PRIORITY MAIL. (samples not included)

 

Click below for individual quick loading page of:  BRASS WIRE:  ROUND   SQUARE

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NICKEL WIRE

- silver color Solid  Bare Nickel Wire for hobby or craft work:

This alloy of nickel with copper and zinc was created to have a silver color.

This Nickel Alloy is The closest wire to Stainless steel we have but unlike stainless steel our Nickel alloy is solderable! And it works more easily.

 

It is so known as nickel silver because of its color , but it has no silver content. It tarnishes slower than silver. Our nickel wire is LEAD FREE.

 

It is a Medium Soft bare wire -the softest this wire comes, bendable by hand springier than copper. It is also the strongest wire we sell.

The thicker 12 & 10 gauges are stiffer than finer gauges.Because of its strength it is great for jewelry and wire wrap.

 

This high quality raw wire comes in a satin finish which buffs up to a bright finish. See our Quick Polishing jewelry cloth.

 

Order samples to see what works best. Special:Order any 2 or more wire spools or coils and we will upgrade to PRIORITY MAIL. (samples not included) .

Click below for individual quick loading page of:     NICKEL SILVER WIRE

*Gauge Lines above show approximate gauge thickness for wire for comparison and may not appear correctly on all screens. Gauges listed are AWG average wire gauge and are approximate to gauge size stated (within a few hundredths of an inch) Our metals are sold only for decorative craft work; They are not tested nor certified safe for electrical nor electronic uses, nor home construction nor internal consumption, and they are not certified for food service. These metals may have sharp edges and are not for use by children.Samples are listed with approximate sizes and may vary slightly larger or smaller. Samples are non retunable. Prices and available stock subject to change without notice.

 

 

Click below for individual quick loading pages of: ALUMINUM WIRE: Soft   Medium Stiff    COPPER WIRE:  Round   SQUARE &  HALF ROUND    BRASS / Jeweler's Bronze WIRE:  ROUND   SQUARE GOLD COLORED WIRE   NICKEL SILVER WIRE- SILVER COLORED WIRE

 

WIRE CUTTERS &WIRE BENDING PLIERS for jewelry & wire craft   POLISHING CLOTHS to Brighten metal without residue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prices subject to change without notice: good for only up to 10 days after page date above. Refresh browser to see current information Prices and shipping is for USA delivery only.

Samples are listed with approximate sizes and may vary slightly larger or smaller. Samples are non retunable.

 

 

RAW METAL DEFINITIONS & TERMS   ABOUT CRAFT WIRE: Different metals have different properties we suggest ordering samples to see what works best.   Soft wire: This wire is the softest in the metal choice it is easy to bend and work. Our soft aluminum wire is the softest. More about Aluminum Wire   HOWEVER: Our SOFT copper, brass & nickel wire is a bit stiffer than aluminum. This is due to the natural properties of these metals. There is no way around it if you want these real metals. About COPPER CRAFT WIRE  More about Brass & Bronze wire    More about NICKEL wire   We do not offer fake wire: Wire that is coated to look like another because they do not last and often get marred when working with. In addition they are not strong wire and cannot be soldered.   You can paint our aluminum wire to look like brass or copper after making something from it  to have a very soft wire that looks like something else. Automotive paint departments often have all these choices.   THE THICKER A WIRE IS THE HARDER IT IS TO BEND Shorter wire will bend less easily than long simply because of lack of leverage. Thinner wire can make tighter bends than thicker wire.   Medium Stiff wire: is made to bend (but less easily) and hold its shape better. Wire can be work hardened by bending back and forth or by hammering it to make it flatter and stiffer. It will also be more springy.   Metal can also be hardened by heating to glowing red hot and dousing in ice water repeatedly.   Bending wire:All our wire can be bent by hand - within reason. A thick 6 gauge wire will not bend around a 1/4 inch rod. It also depends on the users hand strength.This is why we urge ordering samples to see what works for you.   Once a wire is bent it becomes more hard and will be more difficult to bend again. A metal can be softened when working with it by annealing it: Heating it with a torch to glowing red hot and allowing it to cool slowly.   Wire that is easy to bend and then magically holds its shape: It cannot be both ways these are opposites; some effort is required for this result. Yet this is the most commonly asked question of us.   Easy to bend is a relative term- it all depends on the hand strength of the crafts person. If a crafts person cannot bend a paper clip then only our thinnest softest wires will work for them to bend by hand. PLEASE ORDER SAMPLES   While when a wire is bent it becomes more hard and will be more difficult to bend again, Soft wire will remain relatively soft.   Metal can also be hardened by heating to glowing red hot and dousing in ice water repeatedly. Wire can be work hardened by bending back and forth or by hammering it to make it flatter and stiffer. It will also be more springy.   We suggest trying our medium stiff wires. Medium stiff wire will be harder to bend and will hold its shape better.   THE THICKER A WIRE IS THE HARDER IT IS TO BEND   Again we urge ordering samples or small amounts to get hands on experience and to see if it will work for an intended project. This is how we taught ourselves over the last 30 years. There is no way in words that this can be related, not by e mail and not by phone conversations. We no longer accept returns of wire if a sample has not been ordered first.     Bulk Metal :   Our cut to length bulk wire for provides what is needed at a good value. Our cuts are generously long & approximately square. We are one of the few metal wire suppliers to carry such a wide range of wire gauges. Wire by the running foot or yard is shipped in one length whenever possible. We use this metal to craft our own creations.   Grades:  These solid metal wires are of an especially pure high grade for fine craft work. All of It is solderable except the aluminum. It is not to be used for electrical work.                New Craft Metal has a bright rolled satin finish. It may have some very slight manufacturing ripples, scratches & color variations.                                 Reclaimed -Recycled metal: This unused older metal has scratches, finger prints, ripples and/or dents. Some is shiny and and some has patina from age. It is all very usable at a good price. We use this metal in our own creations.   Gauges or Thickness: The lower the gauge number the thicker the metal. For example 23 gauge sheet metal is more than twice as thick as 30 gauge. See below for gauge charts.   Hardness: Basically how easy it is to bend or work:              Medium Soft is pliable yet holds up for folding and hammering. Thicker metal bends less easily than thin.              Medium Hard is stiff, bends less easily and holds is shape better in larger pieces     FINISH: Our raw/bare metals can be buffed up after a piece is completed.  More information on METAL CRAFT HOW-TO : Cleaning, cutting, forming, soldering & finishing   PATINA: All the metals we offer are raw with no wax or varnish and will gain an aged patina over time. Patina solutions (available at most hardware stores) can be used to speed the aging process. More about Patina     Gauge thickness shown is approximate.   CAUTION :HANDLE WITH CARE , Raw metals may have sharp edges. Rolls and coils are tightly wound and may spring open. They are not for use by children . Our metals are sold only for craft work; and they are not tested nor certified safe for electrical nor electronic uses, nor home construction nor internal consumption, and they are not certified for food service. (Yes folks some actually ask if they can eat this craft metal!) PLEASE REFRESH YOUR SCREEN TO SEE ALL OUR NEWEST OFFERINGS & CURRENT PRICES Old prices from old versions of our web site will not be honored.

More about Gauge thickness

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Gauge Thickness chart & Information     Gauge Is thickness. The higher the gauge number the thinner the metal.   The chart below shows approximate gauge thickness for metal to give a relative idea of different gauges. It is in American Standard Gauge of Average wire gauge thickness.   We urge ordering samples to see exact thickness and to get a feel of the metal. Nothing beats hands on experience.    Gauge -Thickness  Dimension inches thick  Dimension millimeters thick   NOTES  2   .258 inch or slightly over 1/4 inch thick   6.54 mm   VERY HEAVY THICK WIRE .For large sculptures & armatures- cuts best with a bolt cutter or saw.  4   .204 inch  5.189 mm  THICK WIRE .For large sculptures & armatures- cuts best with a bolt cutter or saw.  6    .162 inch  4.1mm  THICK WIRE .For large sculptures & armatures- cuts best with a bolt cutter or saw.  8   .128 a little over 1/8 inch 3.26 mm    9    .114 inch    2.91 mm     10   .102 inch   2.6 mm     12   .081 inch 50  2 mm thick  About as thick as a standard wire coat hanger  14    .064 inch a bit thicker than 1/16 inch 1.6 mm  This and thicker is Considered PLATE METAL in sheet metal. as in "copper plate"   16  .051 inch  1.30 mm     18  .04 inch  1 mm  A bit thicker than a standard paper clip in wire. Heavy PLATE METAL in sheet metal. as in "copper plate"   20 .032 inch .80mm About the thickness of a standard paper clip.   22  . 025  .65mm     23 Photo shows Approximate thickness: 23 gauge   .023 or 23 Mil   .576 mm   Standard heavy weight Sheet metal for larger craft work, roofing and range hoods etc. In copper sheet it is 1 pound per square foot approximately. For sheet metal it cuts with a tin snips or saw   24   .020 or 20 Mil  .5 mm -half a millimeter Heavy weight Sheet metal. For sheet metal it cuts with a tin snips or saw A medium fine wire for craft.   26   .016  .40 mm     30  .010 also known as 10 mil as it is 10/1000 inch thick   .25 mm 1/4 mm  Medium weight sheet - cuts with a scissors. twice as thick as 36 gauge below, But a very thin wire- not very strong   36  .005 also known as 5 mil as it is 5/1000 inch thick   .125 mm 1/8 mm  Heavy FOIL: Standard Embossing & tooling & foil. Cuts with a scissors. 7 times thicker than household aluminum foil.   38  .002   .101 mm   Medium weight foil slightly lighter than above Extremely thin wire    45-50  .0014 .0007     thin foil- Household"tin" Aluminum foil- called very thin foil - standard aluminum kitchen foil "tin foil"   The Gauge thickness lines may not appear correctly on some computer screens due to different screen resolutions and page size settings.   Adjust your screen or estimate If this does not appear as one inch.Or see the inch dimensions in the chart above on this page and compare with a ruler. AWG: Average wire gauge Charts for copper sheet & wire: based on American Standard gauge:   Gauge Is thickness. The higher the gauge number the thinner the metal.   *This chart shows approximate gauge thickness for metal to give a relative idea of different gauges.   The Gauge chart picture may not appear correctly on some computer screens due to different screen resolutions and page size settings.   Or see the inch dimensions in the chart above on this page and compare with a ruler.   We urge ordering samples to see exact thickness and to get a feel of the metal. Nothing beats hands on experience.

CRAFT METAL SUPPLIES FOR over 25 YEARS     Complete craft metal & tool catalog online: Fast shipping with no minimum order   How to SOLDER BOOKLET       ALUMINUM WIRE    JEWELERS BRONZE & BRASS WIRE   NICKEL SILVER WIRE    COPPER WIRE        WIRE CRAFT TOOLS     ALUMINUM SHEET      BRASS SHEET METAL   BRONZE SHEET METAL     COPPER SHEET METAL   Recycled & Vintage Craft Metal          SHEET METAL TIN SNIPS     ALUMINUM FOIL FOR EMBOSSING  BRASS FOIL for EMBOSSING   COLORED ALUMINUM FOILS     COPPER Foil for EMBOSSING   FOIL EMBOSSING TOOLS    METAL CRAFT TOOLS       SALES & SAMPLE SETS POLISHING CLOTHS   More Metal Craft Information   updated FEB 7 2010

The full content of this site writings, photos and creations are original and copyright protected. (c) Copyright 2008- 2009 -All Rights Reserved the Whimsie Studio. Larry Henke & Ronald Bodoh, Bodoh Quartz Inc.