| Mistake | Correct | |
 Not Straight |
In the wire component shown at left, the wire segment at
number 1 is not straight. This is an intentionally exaggerated
example to illustrate the point. For every wire component that you
make, one of the first steps needs to be to straighten the wire by pulling
it repeatedly through the jaws of nylon jaw pliers. You must start
with straight wire.
As you continue working the wire around pegs making a wire
component, you need to keep the wire straight. The easiest way that
we have found to accomplish this is to guide the wire with your dominant
hand, keeping it straight as you go, while you move the jig with your
non-dominant hand. This is counter-intuitive, but what works best is
holding the wire essentially stationary (lifting it over pegs when
required) while you move the jig to create the wire components.
Holding wire with your finger tips as close to the pegs on the jig as
possible also helps. Don't hold the end of a long piece of wire,
hold the wire near the pegs that you are working on. |
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|
Not Flat |
In the wire segment shown at left, the wire at position 2 is not flat. There is a separation between the two crossing wire segments. This problem is relatively normal and easy to solve. To close the gap in the wire and to flatten the wire component, finish the piece by squeezing the wire in your nylon jaw pliers. Hold the wire in the jaws of the pliers at several different orientations and give it a firm squeeze with the pliers. This will flatten the wire component and harden the finished piece. |
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