Help me choose a headpin?

[Deepwood Art]

Hiya!
So, I've never ordered headpins, I usually just buy them in person at my LBS, and I know, by looking at them if they're going to work for me or not.

Now that I want to order them, it looks like I'm supposed to know all about thickness in decimals, and I don't!

I want a thickness that works well for wrapped loops... nothing too flimsy, nothing too thick. Suggestions? The choices are:
.021
.025
.028
.029

How does the above translate into gauges? I know I'm supposed to know this stuff... don't laugh.

Fran

[Barrie]

hmmm, .021 translates to .5mm (24 guage), .29 translates to .75(ish), so 21 gauge I think. (i'm kind of rough on these smaller gauges). Depending on what you use them for, will determine your gauge. I use 24ga for small pearls, for most everything else, I use 20 gauge (I make my own). For bigger pendants, zipper pulls etc I use 18 gauge (again, make my own). Hopefully someone who uses commercial ones will pipe up here!

[lunamoonshadow]

Weird. I always either look at them or order by gauge. Or by "weight" if it says....
On my zipper pulls I started using 14GA copper wire after my father ripped through every headpin I tried...he's a bit rough on them....now he gets big spiral ended "headpins" made of copper...wacked with a rubber mallet before I add the bead & he loves them...
Sorry I'm not more help tonight!
~~Lyn

[michey]

.021 = 24 ga actually it should be .020 but .021 seems a common number for 24 ga.
.025 = 22 ga
.028 = 21 ga
.029 = 20-21ga
.032= 20ga

Rule of thumb is to use the heaviest headpin that will fit through the bead, within reason.
Pearls: order 24 ga at least and some will need 26 ga or ream the pearls
Gemstones 22ga-24ga will fit most
22 ga will fit through most metal cast metal beads and Bali sterling (the real Bali, I don't know about the Indian bali-style).
Lampwork beads made on 1/16" mandrel can easily handle to a 16 ga sometimes 14 ga depending on the bead release. 3/32" mandrels 8 ga.

22 ga and 24 ga are the most commonly used in commerical headpins. If it was me I would order the 24, 22 and the 20-21 ga so you can play with some of each. The look is different. 24 ga looks so delicate compared to 20 ga so can change the finished look of a piece.

michey

[rubyfan2]

Good morning all...

I have a question on headpins - I have had an instructor tell me that stainless steel in the same gauge wire will be stronger. Is that a statement in general on stainless steel versus sterling silver? Stainless in the same gauge will always be stronger?

Would you then recommend a charm bracelet use steel headpins rather than SS if there were a lot of them?

thanks!

newbie here....Kathy S.

[Bangs]

Stainless steel will be stronger than silver, gauge for gauge, but IMO strength isn't everything. I much prefer the look of silver and in general dislike the look of flat headpins.

However, if I were making one of those creations with several hundred danglies, I'd probably opt for stainless steel for cost reasons.

[Deepwood Art]

Well I'll be, who would've thought that the unpretentious little headpin would be at the center of such controversy!

I have placed my order based on the evidence presented.
Thanks for the responses, it has been most helpful!

Fran