Hey Folks,

When I first started making hanging Christmas ornaments, I found that the necessary small screw eyes were ridiculously expensive.  So I decided to make my own from some 0.040″ stainless steel safety wire.

The first step is to bend an oblong loop with an overlapping end.

 

Then, cut it loose and clamp it in a vise so that the overlap is compressed.

 

Next, I give it a few twists using a small screw hook, chucked in my drill motor.  It’s important to go slow, and apply tension at the same time.  Stop before you think you’re done, it’s easy to over do it.

 

Finally, trim the end and you have a small eye for hanging ornaments.

 

Cheers,
Tom