Judy Freyer Thompson's Soldered Copper Wire Cones, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. I showed you how to make a cone out of sheet stock, now let's make one out of wire that you will solder to make it a solid piece.
Soldered Copper Wire Cones
by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Coiling, Making Findings, Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
I showed you how to make a cone out of sheet stock, now let's make one out of wire that you will solder to make it a solid piece. The piece will remind you of a beehive. Keeping the solder to a minimum will let the detail show through.

Materials

18 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-18D
  • Lesson Quantity: 16.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $2.81
  • Gold Club Price: $2.11
Out of Stock
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Tools

Ultimate wire-pliers Set
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $99.95
  • Gold Club Price: $74.96
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Copper Solder Paste, 1/2 ozt, Soft
SOL-824.10
  • SOL-824.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.23
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Butane Gas Jewelers Torch
G19-1
  • G19-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $31.57
  • Gold Club Price: $23.68
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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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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Large Rawhide Hammer 1 1/2 inch - Pack of 1
G3-50
  • G3-50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.57
  • Gold Club Price: $22.18
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Small Brass Brush
BRS-966.10
  • BRS-966.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.23
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Instructions
Step 1
Using the round nose pliers from the Ultimate Wire Pliers Set, make an eye in the end of the wire. Tightly wrap the wire along the length of one side of the pliers, grasping and turning the pliers as necessary.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Soldered Copper Wire Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, coil the wire
Step 2
Trim the tail at an angle as shown. Repeat with the tip of the cone.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Soldered Copper Wire Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, trim the wire
Step 3
Rest the cone against the bench pin and use the flat file to smooth the cut end.

Judy Freyer Thompson's Soldered Copper Wire Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, file smooth
Step 4
Slide the cone back on the round nose pliers and locate or drill a hole in the bench pin and press the coil to make sure there are no gaps.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Soldered Copper Wire Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, squeeze the coil
Step 5
Place the wire cone on the fire brick and apply the paste solder per manufacturer's directions or use copper wire solder and solder the cone wires together. Let the piece cool and place in pickle to remove the fire scale. Remove the piece from the pickle solution, wash with warm water and dish soap to remove the residual. Slide the cone back on round nose pliers. Rest the pliers on the bench pin and brass brush the cone to polish.
Here's some tips on using pickle: Safe Pickle https://www.wirejewelry.com/jewelry_making_tips_techniques/A-Safer-Pickle-Pot_67.html
Judy Freyer Thompson's Soldered Copper Wire Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Coiling, Coiling Wire, Wire Coiling, Findings, Clasps, Components, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, solder pickle clean