Hangin' about! (or About Hanging..)

[Elizabeth]

I'm interested to hear what everyone uses to hang their (smaller) projects!
Rememering that the biggest/heaviest items I make are the 9" whirls,  I have always used (UV resistant) fishing line.   The general concensus of opinion here and elsewhere now seems to be that this is a no-no because of sun degredation leading to snapping.  (though luckily this has not happened to me so far,  I do understand the risk)   
I've heard that tigertail (plastic covered steel fishing trace) is a popular alternative,  and whilst the beading thickness stuff is fine for 90% of my stuff, I'd feel safer using a thicker one for the whirls, but then the crimp beads won't fit ......  So just looking for a few opinions out there!   Then I have to try and find local equivlants.
Thanks in advance!

[nansea121]

I would go with the nylon coated steel wire,  especially for the heavier things. I never thought about not being able to fit on other things due to the thicker wire. Are the crimps used to make the whirl swivel?

[Glassic]

Mostly black jack chain, #16 or #18. I would have liked to have ladder chain to sling the ring I just made.
I also have some clock chain for smaller items, it's bright brass but at ten paces you wouldn't notice.
There is a jack chain found in most hardware store over here that has a light golden/steel hue, would rust over time but nothing a seasonal check wouldnt pick up.
Had to look up Tigertail, that looks like it woukld work.

[nansea121]

I started out using chain and then switched. I've been hanging up 3-D humming birds etc with fishing lures which are nylon coated steel. I like them because they're virtually invisible and work like a charm 'cause they swivel. The lures are more expensive to use if you make alot of 'hangin' abouts', so I've just started using the coated wire by the spool but with no swivels. I haven't made any whirls yet so I would be interested in Beth's question about hanging up those heavier items up as well.

I'm not sure what Beth means by crimps. They must have something to to with making them spin freely? Maybe you can bypass the swivels?

[Rebecca]

Crimps are little metal tubes or beads that you squish.  You put the wire or line through the crimp, through the ring on whatever you are hanging and back through the crimp.  Then you squish (or crimp) the crimp and it holds everything together.  Maybe Beth can explain it better...

I use all of the things that have been mentioned already, plus "Spiderwire."  Spiderwire is a fishing line that has a gray-green color that disappears.  I use it for wind chimes especially because it is light, but strong.  I tie a fishing knot in it instead of crimping, but I did use it and crimps to hang the signs in my shop above the glass shelves.

Rebecca

[Elizabeth]

Nancy, Rebecca's description is accurate about the crimps on trace. You can add a swivel if you want your object to turn, probably still cheaper than using ready made ones.   Will see if I can take a pic tomorrow and send you.

Not claiming any proof , Rebecca - but I was told not to use crimps with nylon,  as sharp edges or to much pressure when 'squishing' can cut the nylon.   But then I'm guessing that the spiderwire is a better quality nylon to the average (judging by their webside)   I've always just knotted nylon.

I'd love to use chain Yvonne,  but have yet to find a suitable one locally!  The hardware store variety here is pretty big and kinda klunky looking,  and the stuff sold in beadshops is 'made-in-china' junk!  O.K. for small stuff - I do use it for my recycled candle cups etc - but not my whirls!

Thanks for input!  I'm warning y'all - this is my year for asking questions and getting to know how other do things.   Not many people to discuss glass with around here.

[Glassic]

Nancy, crimps are metal sleeves used to hold two strands of wire to tidy up or make loops at the end of wire. I don't get why, if the wire is available the crimping sleeves are not.
Have you checked out the Ships Chandlery Liz? [the eye splicing aisle]

[Anne]

I've used most of the above too, but something that hasn't been mentioned and I use quite frequently is Beadalong Stringing Wire.  It comes in a few different weights, I use 7 strand, .015" diameter and it has a 15# break.  15 lb. is plenty strong for most of what I do and would be fine for your whirls I would think Beth. It's a craft bead stringing wire. And of course I get it at Fire Mountain...........and you use crimps with it too!

[JoanFrances]

I've used most of the above too, but something that hasn't been mentioned and I use quite frequently is Beadalong Stringing Wire.  It comes in a few different weights, I use 7 strand, .015" diameter and it has a 15# break.  15 lb. is plenty strong for most of what I do and would be fine for your whirls I would think Beth. It's a craft bead stringing wire. And of course I get it at Fire Mountain...........and you use crimps with it too!

Anne, does the stringing wire tie, or do you need the crimping beads to secure it to your pieces?

[nansea121]

Wow! Great replies. So Beth can get bigger crimps? That's good to know.
Thanks for mentioning Fire Mountain, Anne. I've gotten things like that from a place called Rings 'N Things and wire like you mentioned from Michael's, a good quality local craft shop.

I never heard of Spiderwire before. Is that a nylon coated wire as well?

[Rebecca]

Spiderwire says on the box that it is "Superbraid teflon pressure-treated microfibers."  It is a fishing line and it comes in different "tests."  I have used 8-pound test and 30-pound test.  They are both thin and work well for wind chimes and hanging just about anything.  I had windchimes and whirls hanging outside for a couple of years without a problem.  I soldered brass "barrel" fishing swivels into the top and the bottom of the whirls and had them stacked three high.  They were outside for a couple of years.  One windchime was outside for about eight years.

Rebecca

[Anne]

I've used most of the above too, but something that hasn't been mentioned and I use quite frequently is Beadalong Stringing Wire.  It comes in a few different weights, I use 7 strand, .015" diameter and it has a 15# break.  15 lb. is plenty strong for most of what I do and would be fine for your whirls I would think Beth. It's a craft bead stringing wire. And of course I get it at Fire Mountain...........and you use crimps with it too!

Anne, does the stringing wire tie, or do you need the crimping beads to secure it to your pieces?

you crimp it Joan.

[nansea121]

Sounds like Spiderwire has endured the test of time:)

  Good thread Beth.

[Anne]

oops, just started my Fire Mountain order - they have the wire there too but it's just called something else.  The Beadalong is from Michaels.

[JoanFrances]

I've used most of the above too, but something that hasn't been mentioned and I use quite frequently is Beadalong Stringing Wire.  It comes in a few different weights, I use 7 strand, .015" diameter and it has a 15# break.  15 lb. is plenty strong for most of what I do and would be fine for your whirls I would think Beth. It's a craft bead stringing wire. And of course I get it at Fire Mountain...........and you use crimps with it too!

Anne, does the stringing wire tie, or do you need the crimping beads to secure it to your pieces?

you crimp it Joan.

Thanks Anne

[Elizabeth]

Anne, Beadalon, tigertail, fishing trace is all the same basic thing - fine twisted steel wires coated with plastic.   Beadalon is, I think, the better quality bead/craft product,  then you also get the various (cheaper -for us anyhow!) Chinese makes.   The basic crimp beads will fit over any of these.
As usual I was probably going into overkill, wanting to use a much thicker fishing trace (same stuff,  but sold in fishing supply store).   When beading was 'the' thing a coupla years ago you could get a bigger crimp bead/tube,  but like most things, - the suppliers don't seem to stock them any more.
 Remember that all of this sort of stuff is imported here, so suppliers are naturally 'demand' orientated.   ( for instance,  I was gob-smacked to see that in the USA you have an entire macrame supply store!   Few people - unless they date back to the 70's like me - even know what macrame is here!   Therefore - neither are macrame rings available.   Strange but true!)    But I guess that if I shop around a bit I might find some old stock somewhere.

One more thing - Ian used to join fihing trace by melting the plastic together in a lighter flame - the crimpers obviously look neater.

Thanks everyone - it's interesting to hear what everyone else is doing!

[Audrey]

What an interesting thread. I haven't heard of mot of these items, but will be looking into them. I have mostly been using clock chain or something similar.

[nansea121]

Beth? Could you post that picture you sent me this morning...my morning in Iowa that is, lol. I can post it if you like.
It's a great close-up showing the wire and parts needed to make a strudy hanging.

[PiscesGlass]

I believe Anraku (sp?) also sells a wire hanging kit w/crimps included, but it's probably less expensive to order the wire and crimps through Fire Mountain.  Must admit I haven't checked the price difference between the two.

De

[nansea121]

Does Fire Mountain sell nylon coated wire? If so, what size and how big are the spools?

[PiscesGlass]

Here's the link for Fire Mountain, http://www.firemountaingems.com/wire.asp?navsrc=2

As far as I could tell you can order 30', 100' and up to 1,000' foot spools of Acculon..you can also get a variety of crimp sizes there as well.

I love this site, when I was doing jewelry and beading I've bought many items from them, always a good experience.

De

[Kev]

I believe they do Nancy.

[Audrey]

Please post that picture, Beth. I still can't really envision the pieces.

[nansea121]

Please post that picture, Beth. I still can't really envision the pieces.

Beth might be fast sleep now in South Africa, Audrey, but I'll nudge her as well:)
She should be seeing this when we're sleeping, lol. Something huh?


Thanks De and Kev. I'll look into that link.

[Elizabeth]

Beth? Could you post that picture you sent me this morning...my morning in Iowa that is, lol. I can post it if you like.
It's a great close-up showing the wire and parts needed to make a strudy hanging.

As requested (hope your communication problems soon sort out, Nancy. Looking forward to seeing that lampshade all lit up!)

This pic was just to try and show Nancy the stuff available to me locally.  I know there is a much wider range out there!  The 'beading' tigertail I have is marked .38mm - made in China with the local suppliers label.   Beadalon is available, but more than twice the price.   The pliers shown work with the crimp bead (but not the tube! - which I did'nt know when I ordered a whole bunch of the [cheaper] tubes - but they are fine for my needs.).   The jaws have 2 notches - the first crimps the bead together and into a bean shape,  then move it to the next notch and it doubles the 'bean' over to make a tiny neat bead suitable for jewelery making.   Be aware!  I've come accross a lot of those cheaper pliers that don't work at all!
You can crimp 'squish' any of them with ordinary pliers and just get a tiny flat metal 'square'.   Just give your join a sharp tug to check that you have squeezed tight enough - and your bond should be good for life!
On the far right is some of the thick fishing trace wire (same stuff - just much thicker)- which Ian has twisted and sealed in place with a lighter flame!   He used to catch sharks using that method and swears it'll never come loose.  You could do the same  with the fine stuff - I'm just not too handy with a lighter.....
Hope this helps!

[Audrey]

Thanks so much.That really helps me visualize what I need to do.

[nansea121]

Thanks Beth!!!

[ct4mom]

Thanks for posting the pic. I was a little lost but that helped alot.