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…” read » - on “Fortunate mistake”:
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on “All Wired Up”:“Sorry, Becky...I meant to respond to your question about the waxed linen, too. The coating does wear…” read »
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on “All Wired Up”:“Lynda, thank you, it makes sense to me
…” read »- on “Close to my Heart”:
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…” read » - on “Fortunate mistake”:
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…” read » - on “Asymetrical blues and browns”:
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…” read » - on “The Uh Ohs!”:
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…” read » - on “Nesting Instinct”:
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Copper Washers
About this design:
Went to Harbor Freight today and made two purchases. A box of 80 copper washers for $9.99.
The last time I made this purchase there were 115 in the box. Still the best deal around.
They also had butane micro torches on sale for $8.99. Hadn't expected to make this buy, but I couldn't resist it for a cheap back up.
These are available for online purchase as well.
Now, better get busy!
Lynda
Fresh Baked Designs
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
On Feb 20, 2012 at 8:28 pm #
KatsAllThat says:Always love a great bargain!
On Feb 20, 2012 at 9:11 pm #
Bead-itudes says:I have a friend who keeps telling me she loves Harbour Freight, we have one here in Charlotte, NC. She loves those butane torches – and these small hammers she uses for hardening. I hear it all the time – “You really need to go check that place out”….I just never seem to get there.
On Feb 20, 2012 at 10:23 pm #
Elis Mom says:I’m kinda new at this and am curious….How would you use the washers?
On Feb 21, 2012 at 8:49 am #
Beadlady3 aka Cindy says:I have that box of washers! I like Harbor Freight too…they have some great storage units for about $15 too, and brass hammers.
@Elis Mom – you can texture the washers and use them as links in a chain, or drill smaller holes in them for links…the larger ones can have a bead wired in the center (drill small holes around the edges). Lots of possibilities!
On Feb 21, 2012 at 9:51 am #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:Yep, I bought my first box a few months ago. Great additions to the bead box stash!
What I purchased had 110 in the box.
Looks like prices are going up.
How’s that mini torch working for you? It’s a tool I still need to purchase.
On Feb 21, 2012 at 10:56 am #
CAS says:No Harbor Freight up here in northern New England, just Home Depot and Lowes
. I’ve bought plain old steel washers there, and using Guilder’s Paste and a metal file (to rough up the surface so the paste will stick better) made some really cool links for steampunk pieces. Hardware stores are also a really good place to by ball-chain.
On Feb 21, 2012 at 11:09 am #
Fresh Baked says:As Cindy said, copper washers are very versatile in jewelry making, but rarely used as is out of the box. But so much fun to texture and patina.
For Eli’s mom…
I always flatten and forge them first with both ends of a ball peen hammer on a steel bench block. Then, either patina in liver of sulphur or heat patina with a micro torch (my favorite). To add them to jewelry, I either wire wrap them on or use a hole punch plier to add holes.
If you want to see some pieces with copper washers, go to my blog site. Click on the word “copper” on the side menu Tag Cloud. Scroll down through the posts that pop up to see earrings and necklaces.
Lynda
Fresh Baked Designs
http://freshbakeddesigns.wordpress.com
On Feb 21, 2012 at 11:11 am #
Fresh Baked says:Oh, and for CAS…if desired, you can order both products on line from Harbor Freight. Sadly they do sell any copper wire, but Lowes and Home Depot do.
On Feb 21, 2012 at 12:02 pm #
Little Round Chick says:Which Harbor Freight do you go to, Lynda? I’ve shopped at the one in El Cajon and have never found any copper washers there.
Off hand do you know what gauge the washers are? I’d love to have some to work with. I think playing with a torch and washers would be a lot of fun.
On Feb 21, 2012 at 12:14 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:Harbor Freight is a fun place… when I was in there a couple of weeks ago, picking up another box of Cu washers, they had machetes on sale for $4.99…
@Eli’s Mom: I have a necklace & earring set that utilize Cu washers that I posted in the Design Gallery if you want to check it out.
On Feb 21, 2012 at 2:26 pm #
Elis Mom says:OK! I see now! Sounds and looks ,like fun! I am new at beading, but ready to move on from stringing beads on a wire. XCan’t wait to try adding washers to my designs!
On Feb 21, 2012 at 4:04 pm #
Fresh Baked says:Hi, Nancy. The box doesn’t give the gauges, but I’d say the small washers are 18 and the largest 14-16. I only use the hole punch pliers after I’ve flattened and textured them. Yes, I go to the HF in El Cajon and they are hanging high up on a display with other boxed washers and do-dads. Ask at the front desk for help. I couldn’t reach them. Have fun!
On Feb 21, 2012 at 6:36 pm #
Lynn g says:Thats a good deal. cant wait to see what you do with them..
On Feb 21, 2012 at 7:06 pm #
Little Round Chick says:Thanks Lynda. Since I’m vertically challenged they must have been way above my eye level.
On Feb 21, 2012 at 9:09 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:Sounds like we all are going to have fun with copper washers soon! I’ve seen similar on Amazon.com too … happy hammering! SLS
On Feb 22, 2012 at 9:02 am #
Becca W says:I sand down the edges on both the inside & outside, as they can be sharp against the skin. If you have the ability to tumble them – that helps greatly.
On Feb 22, 2012 at 1:16 pm #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:It’s gotta’ be a hoot shopping with you!
On Mar 08, 2012 at 10:10 pm #
Deborah C Dallas says:For brass washers check out Jamestown Distributors.co m. They have many sizes and good prices. Also, some brass snaps. On Amazon I purchased a 570 piece set of copper washers for $56.97–the brand is Trades Pro. Not all Harbor Freight stores carry copper washers–the one in my area discontinued them. The picture on their website shows a box of 110 but description says 80 so I called to clarify–they only sell 80. Also, check with your local “mom & pop” hardware stores where you can find individual pieces and sometimes at a better price than Lowes or HD. Look for brass, copper and aluminum strips and sheets at the hardware store.