Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling. A more ornate version of the simple toggle clasp, this variation is incredibly strong and is attractive enough to use as the focal point on a simple chain necklace.
Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp
by Abby Hook
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Coiling
  • Skill Level: Beginner
A more ornate version of the simple toggle clasp, this variation is incredibly strong and is attractive enough to use as the focal point on a simple chain necklace.

Materials

16 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-16D
  • Lesson Quantity: 11.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $0.94
  • Gold Club Price: $0.71
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24 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-24D
  • Lesson Quantity: 56.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $0.93
  • Gold Club Price: $0.69
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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Plier
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Plier
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Wire Plier
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Nylon Flat Jaw With Spring
PLR-831.00
  • PLR-831.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.80
  • Gold Club Price: $10.35
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
  • PLR-487.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Stainless Steel Ring Mandrel Sizes 1-15
G7-2
  • G7-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $37.97
  • Gold Club Price: $28.48
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Instructions
Step 1:
Begin to form the T-bar
Measure 2” from one end and grasping with the flat nose pliers, make a 180° bend.
Measure 1 1/8” from the bend along the long wire. Grasp with the flat nose pliers and make another 180° bend, so that the 2 wires cross at the top. The bottom wire is 1” long.
Grasp one bend between the flat nose pliers and carefully squeeze together until the bar is 1/8” wide. Take care that your pliers do not slip as this will mark the wire. If this does happen, sand any marks out by starting with the roughest grit and working down to the smoothest.
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Begin to form the T-bar, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, make a 180 degree bend
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Begin to form the T-bar, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, make another bend
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Begin to form the T-bar, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, squeeze together
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Begin to form the T-bar, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, squeeze together
Step 2:
Form the loop
Grasp one of the straight top wires with the flat nose pliers in the center of the bar (1/2”) and bend upwards 90°.
Note: - This upwards wire will not be quite central to the bar.
Measure 1/8” from the bend and make a 45° bend away from the center.
Grasp this bend with the round nose pliers and form a medium loop, then bend the wire downwards 90° and trim to 1/8”.

Grasp the bar in the flat nose pliers as shown and wrap the loop closed 3 times. Trim and tuck the end in.
Check all is straight and adjust with the nylon jaw pliers if necessary. Notice how the bar looks a little bit like a coat hanger at this point!
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, bend a wire up
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, bend
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, bend around round nose pliers
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, wrap three times
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, adjust if necessary
Step 3:
Bind
Cut a piece of 24 gauge wire 23” long and attach it to one end of the bar by coiling twice. Bind the 2 wires together until you reach the center (approx 18 times), ensure the binding is neat and straight by keeping the 24 gauge wire at a 90° angle to the 16 gauge wire at all times.
Coil the bottom wire 8 times, until you are past the loop. Then bind the other side, leaving room to coil twice once you reach the other end, to secure the wire and stop the binding from slipping off the end of the bar.

Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Bind, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, wrap
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Bind, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, wrap and trim
Step 4:
Coil the loop
You should have at least 6” of 24 gauge wire left over from binding the bar. If you have less than 6” at this point, simply cut a new piece.
Attach the 24 gauge to the loop, by coiling 3 times, leaving a 1” tail (to hold onto).
Continue coiling until you reach the other side of the loop, trim the ends inside the ring and tuck in so that they are hidden.
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Coil the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, coil the loop
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Coil the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, coil and trim
Step 5:
Form the ring
The ring is constructed in much the same way as the bar. Cut a piece of 16 gauge wire 6” long and straighten. Wrap the center of the wire once around the ring mandrel on UK size ‘L’ or US size 5 1/2.
Cut a piece of 24 gauge wire 33” long. Attach it to one of the straight wires from the ring, by coiling 3 times, leaving a 1” tail. Continue coiling until you have covered 2 1/8”.
Slide the coils round the ring taking care not to distort the shape.
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the ring, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, wrap the wire around the mandrel
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the ring, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, coil
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the ring, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, coil
Step 6:
Form the loop
Bend one straight wire upwards 90°.
Measure 1/8” from this bend and bend outwards 45°.
Form a loop (the same size as the loop on the T bar) and then bend the wire 90° downwards, trim the wire level with the top of the ring.
Grasp the ring with the nylon jaw pliers and wrap the straight wire around the 2 parallel 16 gauge wires and the 24 gauge wire 3 times, trim and tuck the end in.
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, bend one wire up
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, bend the wire away
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, form the loop
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Form the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, straighten with nylon jaw pliers
Step 7:
Coil the loop
With the 24 gauge wire, coil the loop all the way round, trim and tuck the end in.

You have finished!
Abby Hook's Coiled T-bar and Toggle Clasp - Coil the loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, coil the loop