......whether it's a good idea to get a wigjig and if so which one would you recommend?

also what do you think of the step pliers?

and finally......do you wear any eye protection when cutting wire?

I'm completely new to all this lovely wire work and would really appreciate any advice.

Many thanks Guys,

Sarah Ann.

the only advice I can offer with regards to your questions is that I don't wear eye protection - but just be certain to cover the snippet of wire with your hand before you snip. It will go flying into the cup of your hand every time. If you were not going to do that then eye protection is a good idea. 

I don't wear goggles either, but I do cover the wire end with my fingertip to keep it from shooting off somewhere.

This is a thread from the Bead & Button forum on jigs: http://cs.beadandbutton.com/bnbcs/forums/t/679.aspx

WigJig has step pliers that correspond to the sizes of their pegs, but I use them for non jig projects also.  It's easier to make loops of a consistent size.

Wigjig - Have it, use it, like it.  I use it mostly when I need to make a bunch of the same thing and they all have to be the same size.  Yes, you can do the same stuff (mostly) with round nose pliers, but sometimes the jig is faster and easier.  Say you have a squiggle that you've sketched on paper.  I like to place the clear acrylic wigjig over the squiggle and line up the curves with the holes in the jig.  This tells me where to place the pegs, and which sizes to use to get the radius I need.  Then I can tape down the paper and make as many of the squiggles as I need.  When done, make notes on the paper as to which size pegs were used and you've got a permanent template.

Goggles - no, but I wear glasses plus I always cover the wire before cutting so there's rarely anything launched.

Step pliers - Depends on what you like to do.  The nice thing about them is that if you are going to make a few jump rings, you can be sure they are all exactly the same size because each "step'" is a constant diameter.  When you try the same thing with round nose pliers, it can be done well with some practice, but you will need to be sure you coil each one in exactly the same place on the pliers or they will be different sizes because the pliers are sloped.   I don't have step pliers but I do have the bail-making pliers and I like them. 

So......when prioritizing your tool money, I would put step pliers on the "optional" list until after you have good quality flat nose, round nose, chain nose and cutters.  HTH

Hi!

Hi! 

I use a wig jig, I recently bought this one

http://beadstore.wigjig.com/jewelry_making_jigs/jigs_jewelry_tools/wigjig_centaur_jewelry_making_jig_(1)/Page_1/2983.html

 It is very versatile. If you're going to get it, be sure to also order the super pegs as it only comes with the very thin small pegs. I didn't realize that and had to order them separately :/

http://beadstore.wigjig.com/jewelry_making_jigs/super_pegs/super_pegs_premium_set_delphi_._cyclops_._centaur/Page_1/3205.html

 It gets pricey if you add it up, but it does help a lot for making frames, findings and other stuff which just takes more time to do free handed.

I've never used step pliers, so I can't really say anything about them.

I don't use goggles, I too try to remember to put my hand over the wire so it doesn't fly around or ocasionally, I just close my eyes before cutting :P
 

Thank you soooooo much guys for all your advice

 Really appreciate all your great advice.

Sarah Ann

Yes, make it a habit to wear eye protection when working with wire!  Even if it is only oversized reading glasses.  I've never heard of someone getting snipped pieces of wire in the eye, but know of more than one person that has put the end of a long wire they were manuevering around into their eye.  Fortunately I've only put wire ends into my finger so far :)

I have never used a wigjig but I can think of a few times it would have come in handy over the years.

I love stepped pliers especially when I am making a bail with multiple loops so they are all the same size.

Cutting wire and googles. Hmmm I say definitely though I never have. I guess I like to live dangerously bwahahahahaha. Don't try this at home folks.

Tell the truth I have to wear those cheater gasses now since they eyes are deciding they are old though I am NOT <grin>.

Szarka

I'm pretty much a newbie myself, so take this with as much salt as seems appropriate.  I got a WigJig and have used it for a few things -- I think it will be helpful to make consistently-shaped ear wires etc, but I mostly got it because I want to design some horse-shaped pendants and I want to be able to draw a pattern and mark it out with pegs to help.  I got the one that has both a square and a circular pattern in it. I got the super-pegs and a spiral maker -- I only use the spiral maker as a big peg.  Pliers are all I really want to use for spirals.  I also got the little nylon cylinders to push the wire down on the pegs -- helps harden the design as well as holding work in place.

 Step pliers were one of the first things I got early on, but the main thing I use them for is to help reshape loops that have gotten skiwiffed.  I have an inexpensive set of mandrels for making jump rings and I have marked my round-nose pliers every 1/4" with permanent marker so I can place wire consistently.  I have to keep re-doing the markings, but it's infinitely versitile.

I have middle-aged eyes, so I typically wear reading glasses when I'm working with wire.  I figure it doubles as eye protection.  It's pretty easy to control fine-guage wire clippings, but the bigger/harder wire needs a bit more attention to avoid flying bits.

 If I were starting over again, I'd do a few things differently in terms of acquiring tools.  I'd get a small horned anvil instead of a flat "block" anvil.  I'd get a really GOOD pair of flush cutters, round-nose pliers, nylon jaw pliers and chain-nose pliers and I'd skip the cheap "set" of pliers.  I'd also get heavy duty cutters so I wouldn't be tempted to ruin my flush cutters on heavy guage wire.  I'd buy a better chasing hammer. I'd buy one really good flat file instead of a set.  Of course, the reason I bought inexpensive stuff in the first place was because I had no idea how much I'd use each item... I'm basically replacing all the ones I use regularly and the others are taking up space.