As I mentioned ... flying by the seat of my pants is fun so I antiqued the top scroll, lightly buffed it and formed both bracelets around the mandrel ...
I like to wrap them in a soft cloth before I whack them with the mallet.
Let's see if my calculations are correct in grinding off about 3/8" from the ends of the bottom piece ....
With a quick measurement and taking into account that there will be 12Ga wire between these two as well as the fact we are not forming a complete cylinder ... I'm right on the money. I'll remove between 1/4" and 3/8" from each end after I straighten the inside piece out.
I initially guestimated that it would be less so I will lose a little bit of the Western cut design from the ends. A mistake I will not make again on the next one I do like this.
Here's a photo of the 12Ga square wire, decorative end that will be soldered to cover the separation and the 1/2 round beaded wire which will cover the inside edge of the border.
Yep ... this thing is gonna rock. See you tomorrow for the final installment of soldering these together!!!