How to Twist Wire
You are working on a jewelry design and you decide it will look more interesting with twisted wire. Of course, you could purchase square or round twisted wire from most local beads shops, craft supply stores or jewelry suppliers, but making your own can be both more economical and more convenient, especially if you are in a time crunch. This tutorial will show you a variety of ways to twist wire to create more interesting art jewelry.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- square sterling silver wire or craft wire of your choice
- wire twister or
- hand drill or
- vise or
- pin vise
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-
1
Gather your sterling silver square wire (or other wire of your choice) and tools. Square wire looks more interesting when twisted than does round wire, but any wire can be twisted.
-
2
Vise with anvil.
Regardless of what device you use to help twist the wire, you will need a vise or clamp to hold one end of the wire in place. The other end will be held by either pliers, a wire twister or a drill.
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3
Universal Work Holder
A simple, inexpensive way to twist wire by hand is to clamp one end of your wire in a vise, pin vise or universal work holder. Clamp the other end of the wire with pliers. Pull very tight and then twist.
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4
Hand drill.
A second method is to clamp one end of your wire into a hand or mechanical drill. Secure the other end in a vise. Use the drill to twist the wire. If you use a mechanical drill, work the drill at a slow rotation and take care not to over twist the wire.
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5
Wire twister.
A third method is to use a wire twister. Clamp one end of the wire into a vise. Attach the tool to the other end of the wire and the tool does the twisting.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Always wear eye protection when cutting wire.
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