Pin vice
 

Does anybody use a pin vice? If so, how do you like it, and where did you purchase it? Thanks in advance!!!

For head pin wires, yes. Widget supply has a long double ended pin vise for about $5. It just takes a sec to unscrew the collet enough to pick it up with long tweezers and put in the kiln. Don't use your fingers. Ask me how I know.

I use one quite often, mostly with copper or stainless wire or with nails (used as palettes for cabachons). I think I got mine from Arrow Springs or Frantz a couple of decades ago. It has a collet that allows you to interchange four different sizes of wire holder.

I put a piece of tungsten rod in one that I bought from the welding supply store. I wish it had a wooden handle though.

I picked up a couple at the hardware store and I use them to hold copper wire while I'm making pressed flowers. Love making flowers!

Sue

I have one I like it came with some cup burrs.
jetsinc.com was the distributor, though several suppliers have similar.
If your making your own ear wires or similar cup burrs speed up finished the ends.

I make hundreds of headpins a month, and have just ended up using a rod holder instead. I have to put the pin slightly off-center, but it is so much easier to just pop it open than to fight with unscrewing a pin vise.

I like the sound of that! Too bad I sold my rod holder. I may have to get another.