Need some help please

I'm very new to this so excuse my ignorance.
there's a piece i'm looking for and i don't know what it's called or where to find it. i'll do my best to describe what i'm looking for.

i have a small piece of wood that's about 1 inch by 1 inch square and only about a half inch wide. i drill a small hole through this 1/2 inch side of the piece of wood through to the other side.
i could just string a cord or chain through this hole but i don't like the way it looks. i want to finish off the hole with a piece of metal to make it look nicer. i suppose it would be a metal tube-like piece that would fit very tightly into this hole. then, i would thread the chain through the metal for the necklace.

where would i get this piece of metal? a lot of them. and is there a tool to help with the job?
any help would be appreciated.

thank you

[Polly]

Hi dan,

If your piece of wood were thinner, i would suggest jump rings.   jump rings are available in dozens of sizes and materials and are used to "jump" one item to another.
Some usage tips for jump rings and other common jewelry techniques can be found here:  
http://www.rings-things.com/projects.htm

A prong bail or tri-bail might work -- these types of bails are designed to go through an item that has a straight-drilled hole.  but even our largest size of tri-bail is only intended to go through an item approx. 8-9mm, or maybe 3/8" thick.

--polly

[marym]

QUOTE

i suppose it would be a metal tube-like piece that would fit very tightly into this hole

hmmmm... I am actually thinking you're talking about something akin to a rivet... basically a metal tube that fits into the drilled hole-

Search for Rivets in hardware stores maybe?  Get the measurments for your hole and take them to a metalsmith? A metal fabricating class could teach you how to make one and from there you could have "a lot" more custome made??  It's possibel also that a special order can be made through us.  A sales rep might be able to help you.  Kurt is our metal guru- and actually works the phones as well.  He's a good starting point.

He also moderates on our boards here- but I am not sure if he's working today.

-Hope this helps you out a little??

-Mary

Thanks Polly

The jump ring, prong bail and tri-bail are not what I'm looking for. It's my fault. I'm so clueless about this I'm sure I'm not properly describing what I need.

The things you suggested look like they might go through the drilled hole and out the other side. That's not what I want.
The chain for the necklace would go through the drilled hole in the piece of wood. But bare wood just won't look nice and may even damage the chain. The piece of metal (the tube) would be almost exactly the same size as the drilled hole. Once this piece is in place, the chain or cord would then be strung through that piece.

Marym

A Rivet has a closed end on it because a rivet is used to fasten something (usually metal).
Take a look at this photo of rivets

http://www.jelldragon.com/images/copper_rivets_1_8.jpg

Now imagine that the rounded, closed end was not there.
It would be open on both sides.
Now this piece would be pushed into the drilled hole in the wood and fit very tightly.
The piece would be silver or gold in color and finish it off nicely and allow the cord/chain to slide through easier.

[Polly]

We do carry watch band tubing, which is about 3mm outer diameter (so might be larger than you are looking for).
It is only available in sterling silver and 12kt GF, and I believe is sold by the 1-foot length.
--Polly

'> I dont know if this would help but you could try grommets, or eyelets.You can find them at fabric or craft stores.You might also want to look in the scrapbooking section for them.Lots of sizes and colors.

[marym]

Eyelets!!  That's what they're called... that has been bugging me for a week now.  Thanks jpep! I don't know if that will help Dan or not, but it sure helped me.  '>

[Metalman]

Dan,
I suspect the best practice approach for what you describe would be to get tubing and coordinate your tubing size with your drill bit for a snug fit. Most small scale tubing is soft enough that you would be able to flair the ends so it stays in your wood piece. Brass tubing you might find at the model making supply store, or a well stocked hardware or art supply store.
Silver or gold in various sizes - metalsmithing supply.
Our watch tubing would certainly work if the size is acceptable.
Most of this stuff is easy to cut but you will need to use a saw or disc cutter. a wire clipper will crush the tubing.
As a note, unless you are using some of the very hard exotic woods, the wood shouldn't damage a chain.