I’m forever trying to figure out the right gauge/width wire for different projects I’m working on.
I found this great Gauge/Project Table & thought it may help you as well!
Wire Cheat Sheet
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Wire Size
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Diameter in Millimeters
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What It’s Good For Making:
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|
8 gauge
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3.25 mm
|
- thick jump rings
- rings
- neck rings
- bangle bracelets
- buckles
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10 gauge
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2.57 mm
|
- clasps
- thick jump rings
- neck rings
- bangle bracelets
- rings
|
|
12 gauge
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2.03 mm
|
- clasps
- chunky jump rings
- neck rings
- bangle bracelets
- substantial formed links
- eye pins for beads with very large holes
|
|
14 gauge
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1.65 mm
|
- clasps
- thick jump rings
- chain maille jewellery
- neck rings
- bangle bracelets
- substantial formed links
- eye pins for beads with very large holes
|
|
16 gauge
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1.3 mm
|
- clasps
- thick jump rings
- chain maille jewellery
- neck rings
- bangle bracelets
- substantial formed links
- eye pins for beads with large holes
|
|
18 gauge
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1.0 mm
|
- more delicate clasps
- jump rings
- formed links
- eye pins, head pins
- wire-wrapping
- ear-wires (though 20 gauge is more common)
- fits through most bead holes
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|
20 gauge
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0.8 mm
|
- jump rings
- delicate formed links
- eye pins
- head pins
- wire-wrapped links
- split-rings
- earwires
- fits through most bead holes
|
|
21 gauge
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0.75 mm
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- many people buy this odd size gauge specifically for making earwires
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|
22 gauge
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0.65 mm
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- wire-wrapping
- wire-wrapped head-pins
- wire-wrapped eye-pins
- fits through almost all bead holes
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24 gauge
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0.5 mm
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- standard size for wire-wrapped bead links and head pins
- wire-wrapping
- fits through all but the smallest bead holes. Semi-precious gemstone beads and pearls often have smaller holes than other beads. This gauge fits through almost all of these.
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26 gauge
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0.4 mm
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- for wire crochet
- wire-wrapped bead links and head pins
- wire-wrapping
- fits through all but the smallest bead holes. Semi-precious gemstone beads and pearls often have smaller holes than other beads. This gauge should fit through all of these.
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28 gauge
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0.32 mm
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- for wire crochet
- wire-wrapping
- wire-weaving.
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Sheet Metal
