wire end rounding tool

[Bill Gill]

Perhaps a bit of an extravagance, but tools are always a temptation. This tool is designed to round the rough cut ends of wire used for jewelry making. The price here is $8. The package says it works with wire from 16  to 28 gauge. Most jewelry wire is copper, often with different coatings, so it is designed for soft metal. Will it work on styrene rod?
What to do with it? One idea that leaps to mind is making round rivet heads out of brass wire or styrene rod. Anyone have more ideas?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197644528/bead-buddy-wire-rounder?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=supplies-handmade-tool-low&ione_adtype=pla&ione_creative=54864763235&ione_product_id=197644528&ione_product_partition_id=89248464755&ione_store_code=&ione_device=c&ione_product_channel=online&ione_merchant_id=101359832&ione_product_country=US&ione_product_language=en&gclid=CLrg8Y2LxsICFeZj7Aod_2wAIw

[Design-HSB]

Hi Bill,

I own and use such a router, but use them in the mini drill.

"Hohlfräsersatz"  or in English, cutter for forming hemispherical ends.


The rivet heads shown here have been created.

[eTraxx]

Bill-
One of the places I always stop when at Michaels is the jewelry section of the store .. specifically the tools section including the beading tools such as that.

[Bill Gill]

Hi Helmut, I did a search for "hemispherical end cutter" with a few different variations in wording but kept getting a tool that cuts a hemispherically shaped hole instead of a rounded hemispherical end on a rod or wire, but I will keep looking, thanks.

Ed, Yes, sometime random browsing of craft store supplies uncovers all kinds of useful bits and pieces. I remember you and Dallas used googly eyes. You for the ends of a fuel tank, he for a trashcan lid.

[Bexley]

Try searching for "cup burr."

From Rio Grande, one of my favorite websites to drool over peruse.

[Bill Gill]

Thanks! That finds them. Will they work on styrene rod?

[Design-HSB]

Thanks! That finds them. Will they work on styrene rod?

Hi Bill,

yes if you slowly, turn without much pressure.
The plastic must not melt.

[Bill Gill]

Danke, Helmut!

[lab-dad]

I have a set - great tool!
use by hand on styrene.
works on brass and steel too (with a lubricant)
-marty