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Cup Bur Sizes for Wire Gauges
by Dale Armstrong
Question:

How do I determine what size of cup bur to buy for the different size wire gauges? For instance, I use 21-gauge wire for making ear wires. What size cup bur would I use? Is there a chart out there somewhere? Thank you!

-Bobbie in Miami, Florida
Instructions
Answer:

Hi Bobbie, the size of the cup bur you choose should be just a hair larger than the wire you plan to use it on. For example, if you use 21-gauge (which is 0.723mm in diameter) to make ear wires, then you would want to use a cup bur of 0.8mm, or even the next size larger. To determine what size the wire is, check out our Conversion Table - American Wire Gauge to Inches and MM!.
Dale Armstrong's Cup Bur Sizes for Wire Gauges - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Bur Cup
Choosing your cup bur in this manner, you will find that one will fit several wire gauges. Our sister site, Jewelrytools.com!, has a great selection of cup burs, including some sets! Remember that these are very versatile as they can be used in either a hand holder or in your Dremel or automatic wire twister.

For those of you who may not know what a cup bur is or how to use it, Denise Peck has a great video on our wire rounder (that includes a cup bur) and how to use it.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Materials

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Tools

Bur Set - 24 pc
BUR-400.00
  • BUR-400.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $59.95
  • Gold Club Price: $44.96
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Swiss Bur Set Assortment, 24 Piece Set
BUR-416.00
  • BUR-416.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $36.95
  • Gold Club Price: $27.71
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Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
  • G14-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.97
  • Gold Club Price: $9.73
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Wire Rounder with Wooden Handle - Pack of 1
G14-19
  • G14-19
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.97
  • Gold Club Price: $5.23
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  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Tools

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