How to Smooth Sharp Edges on Copper, Brass and Sterling Wire

When you cut wire, you are left with a sharp end. If the wire is being used for jewelry, you will need to smooth those ends before the jewelry can be worn. This tutorial will show you how to use a few simple tools to smooth the edges off copper, brass, sterling silver, gold and gold filled wire jewelry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• cup burr or
• needle file
• wire rounder

1. There are a variety of tools that can be used to smooth the edges of cut wire. These include cup burr, needle file and wire rounder.

2. 
    
   Needle files.

   Needle files can bought at your local bead shop, hard ware store or jewelry supply house. Use a needle file to file the ends of the wire until smooth. When using a needle file, the file will smooth in the push motion. The file does not smooth in the pull motion.

3. 
    
   Cup burr and flex shaft.

   Cup burrs are bits that can be put in a rotary tool, such as a flex shaft or dremel. The cup burr should be the same size as the wire. Fit the cup over the end of the wire. Turn on the rotary tool. The burr will file the end smooth mechanically.

4. 
    
   Wire rounder.

   Wire rounders are cup burrs used as a hand tool. The cup burr is on the end of a handle, rather than in a rotary tool. The wire rounder is twisted to file the end smooth using a hand tool, rather than a mechanical rotary tool.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not know how to straighten wire when jewelry making see our eHow, How to Straighten Wire at http://www.ehow.com/how_4921296_straighten-wire.html or click the link in the resource section of this article.
• If you do not know how to measure the gauge of your wire for jewelry making see our eHow, How to Measure Wire at http://www.ehow.com/how_4907078_measure-wire.html or click the link in the resource section of this article.
• If you do not know how to twist wire for interesting jewelry, see our eHow, How to Twist Wire at http://www.ehow.com/how_4921289_twist-wire.html or click the link in the resource section of this article.
• Always wear eye goggles when cutting wire and using a rotary tool.
• Always wear a dust mask when filing (to prevent breathing in particulates).

Resources

• GeltDesigns
• List of Jewelry Making, Fused Glass & Craft Tutorials by Topic
• Wire Wrapping Tutorials
• Metalsmithing Tutorials
• Jewelry Making Tutorials
• Metal Clay Tutorials
• Fused Glass Tutorials
• How to Straighten Wire
• How to Measure Wire
• How to Twist Wire