Fretz BT-5 Brass Tube Form 2" x 7/8" Bracelet Cuffs

The Fretz BT-5 is a seamless brass tube form designed specifically for making formed and hammered cuff bracelets. Measuring 2" in diameter by 7/8" wide, these blanks are ready to work straight from the package — no fabricating tube stock from scratch required. Bill Fretz had these pre-made after repeated requests from metalsmiths who wanted a reliable, consistent starting point for cuff work.

Each blank is cut from seamless extruded tubing made from a malleable brass alloy of 70% copper and 30% zinc. After cutting, the edges are cleaned on a belt sander, then the blanks are annealed and given a basic tumbled finish. At 20 gauge (0.81mm thick), the material strikes a balance between workability and structural integrity for forming and hammer texturing.

The 2" diameter is well suited for average to thin wrists. Bill Fretz demonstrates the use of these cuff blanks in his DVD, walking through forming and hammering techniques to create finished cuff bracelets.

Keep in mind: when making convex (domed) forms, the doming process will reduce the finished diameter of the piece. When making concave forms, the finished diameter is not affected.

Features

• Seamless extruded tube construction — no seam to manage during forming
• 70% copper / 30% zinc malleable brass alloy for responsive metalworking
• Edges cleaned on a belt sander after cutting
• Pre-annealed and tumble-finished — ready to form immediately
• 2" diameter sized for average to thin wrists
• 7/8" width offers a substantial cuff profile
• Designed and sourced by Bill Fretz for studio jewelers and metalsmiths

Specifications

Notes

• This product is subject to California Proposition 65 warnings regarding lead.
• When forming convex (domed) cuffs, expect the finished inside diameter to be smaller than the blank diameter. Concave forming does not affect final diameter.
• Additional diameters (2-1/4") and widths (5/8", 1-1/2") are available separately in the Fretz tube form line.