Cost of handmade ear wires?

[Luann Udell]

Okay, I just saw the new Ear Wire Tool (#69-072) in the R&T summer supplement.

It looks wonderful, and I'm going to get one, if only so I never run out of ear wires again!   '>

BUT I'm curious....  How much wire does each earring use?  Is there any waste?
At current silver prices,
using 20 gauge half-hard round wire, what will my final cost be per piece?
If I can buy these for less than 20 cents each, will I still save $$$ by making my own?
What if I can buy these in 21 gauge at less than 10 cents each?

Inquiring (budgeting) minds want to know.... '>
Luann

[marym]

I can only answer the first two questions- SO I had to refer your list to someone smarter... '>  I'll get back to you with the answers as soon as I have them.

(Oh- question one: The tool itself has a slot for cutting the precise size of wire needed so there is zero waste- if you look at your catalog picture you'll see the wire is actually sitting in the measuring slot- if memory serves me- its roughly one and a half inches of wire per earring- but I will double check that).

-Mary

[RitaD]

Luann,

Here are some quick answers for you.  (I figured them out once, but couldn't find the details).

Each earwire uses 1.75" wire.  
There is no waste.
The manufacturer of the tool recommends using "soft" wire, so I have done this math using our item #64-527 dead soft 20guage round sterling wire, which measures at approximately 18.86 feet/ozt.  Each ozt will make approximately 129 earwires.  At a cost of $14.50/ozt for the wire, your cost per wire is $.1124.
You can compare this to your current prices for 20 ang 21 guage wires... It sounds like it is less than your 20 guage wires, but slightly more than your 21 guage wires.  

I hope this all helps!

Rita

[Luann Udell]

Mary & Rita, you are amazing!  Thank you so much for the cost analysis.

I ordered the gadget and the wire off the website last night, even before I saw your posts, but now I'm feeling even better about the decision.  

I had to make up an order for a catalog two weeks ago and was shocked when I realized I was nearly out of ear wires (which almost never happens.)  Fortunately, I dug up just enough for the order, but I can appreciate how handy this gadget would have been!
'>

Thanks again for the number-crunching,
Luann