| Mistake | Correct | |
 Sharp End |
In the loop on the left, the wrong end of the wire was
used. When cutting wire with a flush cutter, the cut wire will have
one sharp end and one flat end. Always use the flat end of the cut
for your starting loop as shown at right. |
 |
 Open Loop |
In the loop at left, the loop is not fully closed.
Frequently, we will find a loop like this in a wire component after we
finish the component. Sometimes you can use round nose pliers to
close this loop using the same approach that you used to make the loop.
Sometimes because of the location of the loop, this is not possible.
In many cases, using Bent Closing Pliers will help close these open loops
with minimum marking of the wire. These Bent Closing pliers have grooves
in the jaws to help grip the loop without slipping. |
|
 Springs Apart |
When making components with our WigJig tools, frequently
people find that when they remove the component from the jig it will
spring apart. The loops made on the same peg will not align.
This is especially true when using 1/2 hard wire. This problem can
be overcome after the fact by "hand finishing" the piece, bending it
gently with your fingers until everything is aligned. The better
solution is to solve this problem before removing your wire from the jig.
This is done by only using the pegs you need at that time, and always
bending the wire beyond where you want it to end up, letting it "relax
back" into its finished position. After every step, remove your
hands from the wire and check its final position. In concept, the jig should provide
a pattern, but not any force to hold the wire in shape. |
 |