Filigree frame wire calculation

Jewelry Discussion
1

Estimating wire gauge for filigree

I am trying to calculate the original round wire gauge used to make
the heavier flat wire that encloses and became the frame on a peice
of Icelandic filigree work. The flat wire has rounded edges so it
definately was rolled from round wire stock. The frame wire is
roughly 0.68 mm thick (28/1000") and 2.06 mm wide (83/1000").

How would one calculate the original round gauge required?

Peter

2

Hi Peter,

The frame wire is roughly 0.68 mm thick (28/1000") and 2.06 mm
wide (83/1000"). How would one calculate the original round gauge
required?

Here’s one way to do it. It helps to have a calculator that can do
square roots.

  1. Find the area of the wire as it exists now. .023 x.083 =.001909
    square inches.

Find the dimensions of a circle with this area (pi x radius squared
= area).

  1. .001909 divided by pi (3.14) = .000607654 (radius squared)

square root of .000607654 = .02465063 radius of wire with an area of
.001909 square inches

  1. 2 x.02465063 (the radius) = .049301261 (diameter of a wire with an
    area of.001909 square inches).

  2. Compare the wire diameter .049, to a chart of wire gage
    dimensions.
    .049 falls between 17 ga (.045) & 16 gage (.051).

Dave

3 
The flat wire has rounded edges so it definately was rolled from
round wire stock

remember that wire lengthens when you roll it. You could drive
yourself mad trying to calculate that into the equation. Why not
just roll some scrap wires of varying sizes and see what happens?