Daily Wire Tip Oct. 9: Transferring Patterns to Soft Wire

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
October 9, 2010

Question:

Can you please tell me how to transfer a pattern to dead soft wire?

-Claudia in Springfield, Massachusetts

Answer:

A rolling mill is used to transfer a pattern to wire. Most studio artists use one that is operated by a hand crank. The directions and options are pretty detailed and as I do not yet own a rolling mill (humm, maybe for Christmas this year) I found this page that gives all of the descriptions and operation instructions. Enjoy!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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8 Comments

1. 

   Dharlee

   October 9, 2010 at 1:12 pm

   I never heard of anything like this before. I had thought she meant how to take a pattern designed for HH wire and make it work for DS. I guess that is not the case.
   • 

     dalecgr

     October 9, 2010 at 10:28 pm

     Well Dharlee, that may be what the author of the question meant, but I print the questions as they are written and often they can be read different ways. As I have answered questions in the past about substituting different gauges and tempers of wire, I read this one differently – which gave me the opportunity to share some new information with all of you : )
2. 

   beverly

   October 9, 2010 at 7:05 pm

   Thanks Dale for the information you provided on the rolling mills and their uses. My silversmithing/lapidary shop that I belong to has been researching purchasing a replacement for the archaic one we’ve had since 1983. It has very limited uses and we wire wrappers want one that can make square wire and more useful patterns for the sheet users for bezels and such. I will pass this link page on to our president and hopefully we will be getting one for this winter season too.
   • 

     dalecgr

     October 9, 2010 at 10:25 pm

     You are welcome Beverly. As I mentioned, I don’t have one yet but had done some research and this was the best info I could find, that gave really good explanations and descriptions. Glad I could help.
3. 

   Jilla Simmons

   October 10, 2010 at 11:12 pm

   There seem to be so many different rolling mills with a wide range of prices. The most affordable one was , “the ROLLING MILL ECONOMY” with 5 rollers, which is only 70mm. So now the question is which one, a nd how big would be a good rolling mill transferring pattern on sheet metal and wire?
   • 

     dalecgr

     October 11, 2010 at 10:00 am

     Jilla, those are all good questions and the answer is up to the person who wants to roll metal. The questions to ask yourself are: what do you want to use it on more; to make pattern wire or pattern on sheet?
4. 

   Lisa

   October 15, 2010 at 11:14 pm

   I have a wire roller and love it as do my customers. I am able to shape wire, square, triangle, half round,ect., as well as put patterns on wire. A diamond texture, cross hatch, side to side, geometerical designs. I am looking to have rollers etched with floral and other soft designs made. People love choosing not only what type of wire, ss, gf, ect., but a design on the wire as well. Also, it enhances a lot of cabochons giving more movement and light play to them as well as faceted gem stones.
5. 

   Lisa

   October 16, 2010 at 2:19 am

   I need to add that when rolling gf wire, be gentle. Also, if you use to much pressure you will make the wire brittle, any wire. It took a little pratice using scrap wire of all types that I use as each react differently. You should never roll plated wire.