Adding texture to metal can add interest to your handmade jewelry, and fortunately you don’t have to own an expensive rolling mill to make cool textures in metal. New to Rings & Things’ tool offerings is the Tube-Wringer, a hand-held tool that corrugates metal. With just a few turns of a turn key, you can expand your metalwork design possibilities!
The Heavy Duty Tube-Wringer was designed to crimp the ends of tubes (think toothpaste or artist’s oil paint). Jewelry artists have adopted it as an affordable hand tool for corrugating metal. It works on metal up to 24 gauge thick and 2-1/2 inches wide.
Tube-Wringer how-to tips:
A bit of hand strength is necessary to corrugate metal with the Tube-Wringer; here are some helpful hints to get the best results:
Use dead soft metal – Either buy metal that is not fully hardened off or anneal the metal with a torch. We recommend these ready to use blanks: Vintaj Natural Brass Metal Blanks, Vintaj Artisan Copper Blanks, and 30-gauge aluminum blanks.
> Use a lighter gauge metal – The Tube-Wringer works with metal up to 24-gauge thick, but if you’re having trouble, try a lighter gauge metal. Light-weight metal works great for earrings, or it can be riveted or soldered onto heavier metal for pendants.
> Use metal blanks with a thinner width–The Tube-Wringer will accommodate a piece of metal up to 2-1/2 inches wide, but the wider the metal you corrugate, the more hand strength required.
> Wear rubber-coated work gloves – The Tube-Wringer is made of steel, which isn’t comfortable to grasp; wearing rubber-coated work gloves will improve your grip and comfort.
> Try again – If the first time through the Tube-Wringer doesn’t produce the perfect corrugation, just line everything up and run the blank through again.
>> Follow instructions on Ganoksin to modify the Tube-Wringer: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/tube-wringer-tool-modification.htm
Ready to make earrings?
Supplies needed to make “On the Bias” Corrugated Metal Earrings include Vintaj blanks, silver-filled ear wires, antiqued-brass jump rings, TierraCast heishi beads, and glass “E” beads.
You will need these supplies:
Vintaj® Natural Brass® Metal Blanks (I used stock #88-102-02-0) | Earring Hooks (I used stock #34-563-20-SF) | Bulk Jump Rings (I used stock #37-178-6) | TierraCast® Metal Heishi Beads (I used stock #49-957-04-1) | Glass E Beads (I used stock #23-264-401)
And you will need these tools:
Tube-Wringer | bracelet bending pliers | flat-nose pliers | chain-nose pliers | Rubber Block | 3M Sanding Sponges, 500-600 Grit | EURO TOOL Brilliant Polishing Cloth
» Click here to source supplies! «
Step 1: Add corrugated texture to a metal blank with the Tube-Wringer. Feed the metal blank into the tube wringer, squeeze the handle to maintain even pressure, and turn the turn knob. I angled the blank to produce diagonal lines; play around with different placement for your desired pattern.
Step 2: Create a dramatic striped pattern by polishing the high points of the corrugated blank. Working on a rubber block, first polish the corrugated metal blank with a 3M superfine grit sanding sponge and then use a Brilliant polishing cloth to make the metal shine.
Step 3: Add shape to the corrugated blank with bracelet bending pliers. Create a gentle curve by placing the corrugated blank in the jaw of the piers and gently squeezing; reposition the blank and repeat the process until the entire blank is curved.
Step 4: Make a beaded ring to adorn the earring. Use jewelry pliers to open the jump ring, then add the following beads: two metal heishi beads, one glass “E” bead, and two more metal heishi beads. Securely close the jump ring.
Step 5: Assemble the first earring. Use jewelry-making pliers to twist open the hanging loop on the french hook earring finding. Add the corrugated metal blank and then the bead-adorned jump ring. Finish by closing the hanging loop on the earring. Repeat step 1-5 to make the second earring.
The “On the Bias” Corrugated Earrings are ready to wear! And chances are, you’re ready to make more corrugated metal jewelry!
You might also enjoy these metal-texturing blog posts:
Check out the blog post: “How to transfer texture to metal with a hammer!”
Check out the blog post: “How to make Embossed Arrow Earrings with the Vintaj BIGkick”
♥ Make things! ~ Mollie
2 Comments
I LOVE this!. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Also, I have a big annual commitment of 40 handmade gifts for teenagers for an Optimists charity giveaway each Christmas. This last year, 2014, I made twisted leather cord and chain charm bracelets and earring sets called Celtic Treasures. They were awesome and quite unique. Needless to say the bar is now set quite high and I will be looking for something very cool to make that teens will love wearing. I know I have a whole year, but time will fly… any thoughts???