SS half hard wire

[debh131]

I purchased a roll of 24g, round, half hard, sterling silver wire from one of your shows quite a while ago. I have just gotten around to working with it.
Whenever I try to coil it in the opposite direction its curled, it breaks. I've tried over and over...it continues to break off in tiny pieces.
1. Am I doing something wrong?
2. Am I using the wrong hardness for coiling?
3. Is the half hard used for something other than what I'm using it for?
4. Is there something wrong with the spool of wire I have?
Thanks.

[notatriplet]

As you bend or work wire, it hardens and if you work it too much, it will become brittle and break.  Generally half-hard wire is intended for use in projects where the wire will not be heavily worked, such as making eye pins or jump rings--it is already partially hardened so it will hold shape better. But if you are doing tight coiling, you will want to get dead soft wire--wire that has not been work hardened; it is more flexible and should allow you to make intricate twists and coils.

I would suggest trying to coil the wire in the direction it is already bending towards.  If it is still breaking save it for a project that requires less bending. 

Also, solid metal can be annealed with a jeweler's torch to relieve the stress and make it soft again.

[debh131]

Thanks for the info.