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goto bunnyrabbit.com news 2002 issue 1

When wire is manufactured and wrapped in rolls, it has a tension applied so it is coiled into the smallest size possible. When it is cut, the wire will keep its circular tension. There are several methods of taking out a lot of the coil tension. We have used these methods with some success.

Be careful when undoing the c-rings that hold the wire tight on the roll. The end cut of the wire may be rough or jagged with some sharp end pieces. Always wear some type of eye protection to keep from harming your eyes. Gloves may also be needed to eliminate scratches. Before measuring or cutting, secure the end of the roll you are cutting so it will not move or backlash! Roll the wire off the roll while it is on a holder, such as a pipe or large rod.

We pull the wire through three rollers. The center roller is higher than the others to put pressure on the wire so that it is bent back to remove the roll tension. Some energy and strength is needed to pull the wire between the rollers.

Back rolling the wire after it is unrolled can help straighten wire.

Unrolling the wire, turning it over and then walking over the wire can eliminate some of the wire tension. Pat used to walk on it while it was on an old piece of carpet.

Cutting the wire into desired pieces and then hand bending or bending the wire slowly over a sturdy table can help to make the wire pieces much straighter.

It will probably take some practice and the use of some muscles-you didn’t realize that you have but it does make it easier to put cages together and make your cages look nicer.

Ken Vanecek