Judy Freyer Thompson's Custom Space Bars, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Findings, Clasps, Components. Have a design in mind, but you don't have the exact spacer bar you need, or no time to order some?  You can easily make your own spacer bar using heavy gauge wire.
Custom Space Bars
by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Findings
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Have a design in mind, but you don't have the exact spacer bar you need, or no time to order some? You can easily make your own spacer bar using heavy gauge wire. These are a bit on the rustic side and they pair well with beads that are chunky and may be on the cusp of abstract or ethnic.

Materials

8 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-8D
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.61
  • Gold Club Price: $1.96
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Tools

Chasing Hammer - Flat Faced with Polished Wooden Handle - Pack of 1
G3-13
  • G3-13
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.98
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Flex Shaft System, 1/4 Horsepower Motor
HDP-150.00
  • HDP-150.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $123.97
  • Gold Club Price: $92.98
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Natural Beeswax--1oz Tube
WAX-100.00
  • WAX-100.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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Auto Center Punch
PUN-430.00
  • PUN-430.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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Power Max Cutter, Full Flush, 6-1/2 Inches
PLR-791.00
  • PLR-791.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $40.97
  • Gold Club Price: $30.73
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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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6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle
G14-7
  • G14-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.57
  • Gold Club Price: $4.18
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Deluxe V-Slot Bench Pin with Clamp
BPN-105.00
  • BPN-105.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.98
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SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400
ABR-600.90
  • ABR-600.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Instructions
Step 1
Clean a length of wire using the 400 grit sandpaper. Lay the wire on the steel bench block and flatten it uniformly flipping as necessary. It is best to use more than the length of spacer you are making, as you will need to hold the wire when hammering and drilling.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Custom Space Bars - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, flatten the wire
Step 2
Using the ruler and permanent marker, measure the length of spacer bar you need. Divide the length of the spacer in ΒΌ" (or your desired hole layout) and mark with the permanent marker.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Custom Space Bars - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, measure the length  of spacer bar you need
Step 3
Using the Auto center punch, make a divot at each mark.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Custom Space Bars - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, make a divot at each mark
Step 4
Drill through holes at the divot marks, make sure you hold the wire with the flat nose pliers as the wire will get warm.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Custom Space Bars - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, drill holes
Step 5
Using the wire cutters, cut the bar on the marks.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Custom Space Bars - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, cut the wire
Step 6
Clean the bars with the 400 grit sandpaper, round the edges with the metal file using the bench pin to rest the wires on.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Custom Space Bars - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, sand and round the edges