Two things I will never do again:

[cghipp]

1. Buy mandrels from a glass supplier.

(Got a pound of 1/16" 309L wire from a welder's shop for $6.25. That makes 96 mandrels!)

2. Buy tungsten electrodes from a glass supplier.

(Got a pack of eight pure tungsten electrodes at the welder's supply for $7.75!)

Courtney

[laurellanestudios]

I've wanted to hit the welding shop for wire as well. After cutting it down for mandrels, did you need to file the ends or anything?

[Dale M.]

I've wanted to hit the welding shop for wire as well. After cutting it down for mandrels, did you need to file the ends or anything?

Yes you will probably have to dress end up a bit. How much depends on how you cut them.

Dale

[cghipp]

I will need to file the ends just a bit.

Courtney

[Heidi von Frozenfyre]

ALso look at the hobby shop for something called "music wire" It's great - cheap and lasts for years.

[Mustang Dawn]

I've wanted to hit the welding shop for wire as well. After cutting it down for mandrels, did you need to file the ends or anything?

I cut mine with fencing plyers (Home Depot ~$12). They leave a nice clean cut. No filing needed.

TTFN, Dawn