Wire For Jigs?

[aaarneson]

What wire do you guys use to tie on jig skirts? 

 

Best place to get it?  Any local hardware stores?

 

Thanks

 

[Jig Man]

I get mine from old electric motors.  One of them has about 10 years worth of free wire.

 

Hobby shops carry copper wire.

[cadman]

Go to Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Jo Ann fabrics. You can get almost any color and a wide variety of gauges also the price is very reasonable.

Edited April 2, 2014 by cadman

[aaarneson]

Go to Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Jo Ann fabrics. You can get almost any color and a wide variety of gauges also the price is very reasonable.

What kind of wire is it?  Will it rust?

 

Thanks

[cadman]

The wire will be copper colored wire. Usually 24 Ga. or 22 Ga. No it will not rust. You'll lose the jig before the wire rusts.

Edited April 2, 2014 by cadman

[nedyarb]

I prefer the 20 gauge wire, so I go to michaels, they have black wire in the jewelry section.

[aaarneson]

Thanks Guys....I will check out Michaels.

 

And what tools do you use to do your tying?

Edited April 2, 2014 by aaarneson

[Jig Man]

Pliers and side cutters.

[smalljaw]

I just scored big for wire, it is a little pricy but the stuff is awesome!!! It is permanently colored, 26 gauge copper wire in black, it is over $2.00 for 30 yards but you can twist all you want, the color will not come off and finding it in black was great. I went to a small local craft shop and asked the owner if they could order me some 24 or 26 gauge craft wire in black as they already sell green and red but I didn't expect this kind of quality, it is a little more but it is great stuff.

[aaarneson]

I just picked up some 20 gauge wire from hobby lobby in black.  Will see how it works out.

 

Once you guys twist the wire what do you do with it?  Push it towards the hook, wrap it around again, or something else?

 

Thanks

[cadman]

I twist it until it is tight, then cut the tag ends to about 1/8" long and  then just bend it towards the hook shank. That's it.

[smalljaw]

I just picked up some 20 gauge wire from hobby lobby in black.  Will see how it works out.

 

Once you guys twist the wire what do you do with it?  Push it towards the hook, wrap it around again, or something else?

 

Thanks

 

I bend mine over on top of itself, when I finish the wrap I'll twist it tight then cut the tags off to about 1/8" like Cadman but then I fold it over to the right side and then gently squeeze down with my pliers but bending back is fine too. The one thing I don't agree with is 20 gauge wire, that is a little too heavy and if you aren't use to twisting it you will cut the skirting a lot with that heavy of a wire, 24 gauge is nice as it gets nice and tight without cutting and like 26 gauge, you'll twist and break the wire before you cut through the skirt material.