Cutting Steel Pattern Wire

By on May 26, 2011
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One of our newest products is Steel Pattern Wire, great for making wire bangles, collars, and cabochon frames. You might find it a bit tricky to cut, because it’s tougher than Xurons and even Tin Snips – so we thought we’d take a minute and show you how we cut it in our warehouse!

Cutting Steel Pattern Wire

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We’ve also heard from a customer whose Lineman pliers do the job; he said it just takes a firm grip. Some of our customers have found that using a bench grinder allows them to smooth the cut edges of the pattern wire, so it’s very dull and safe on skin. Of course, this depends on how you use the pattern wire: several wraps around a wire bundle containing pattern wire as well as square wires will help insulate the ends. Good luck – and we’d love to see your pictures of steel pattern wire jewelry on our Facebook page!

13 Comments

  1. avatar

    Heather C.

    May 27, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    Thanks for the advice. I found using a saw (for metal) works well too. It doesn’t leave a sharp edge like my bolt cutters do. But it’s not as fast as the bolt cutters. It took me about 2 minutes to get through it.

  2. avatar

    Roxanne

    May 27, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    Thanks for the helpful video. It would have been a little more useful before or in concurrence with the release of the product. I might have made a different decision.

  3. avatar

    Katherine S

    July 5, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Thanks for the tip! My wire hasn’t arrived yet, but I am glad to know that I shouldn’t ruin my good tools by trying to cut the steel patterned wire with them.

  4. avatar

    Carol

    September 10, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Thank you for the video! That was a very nice surprise, and actually typical of the extra mile that always comes from Wire Sculpture. The video was very helpful. I haven’t received it yet, but when I do I’ll see what works for me and will post the result…and, hopefully, a finished product!

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      September 10, 2011 at 10:22 am

      Glad to help Carol – please be aware that this steel is not “stainless” and can be a challenge to work with. Check out this page for some inspiration: Steel Pattern Wire Inspiration We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

  5. avatar

    Casey Willson

    October 24, 2011 at 9:38 am

    OK, another tool for my “arsenal”. This will be great to have not only for the steel wire but because I’m also beginning to work in steampunk inspired wall art and jewelry-really mixed media-and want to get into metal in a big way. My new “studio” is being built and I can hardly wait to get started.
    My pattern wire and lots of larger wire should arrive even before the studio is finished. THANKS for your input.
    Whee! I get to go tool shopping!

  6. avatar

    Connie Moore

    December 2, 2011 at 1:14 am

    Thank you for taking that extra step for the customer. I really appreciate the heads up. As always, love shopping here. Thanks again.

  7. avatar

    Traci

    January 2, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    Rose & Dale,

    Thank you for providing, once again, fantastic info! Wire Sculpture is truly the best in the industry for taking care of it’s customers! I love my WS! <3 Can't wait to get my hands on this medium. Come on muse get my creative juices flowing! ;)

  8. avatar

    Beth

    April 29, 2012 at 6:46 am

    Thanks for the tip on bolt cutters! Glad to know they will work for the steel pattern wire. I use them all the time with my silver plate spoons I make wind chimes and jewelry with and they work incredibly well. I love my bolt cutters for recycling copper electrical wire, too. You folks are a treasure of info.

  9. avatar

    Debbie

    September 14, 2012 at 9:16 am

    Thank you so much for the tip. My husband has a couple of pair of bolt cutters in his toolbox.

  10. avatar

    Rose

    November 7, 2012 at 11:55 pm

    Thanks so very much. I just got my steel wire. I have not made up my mind what I am going to do with it yet.
    I really think I will just saw it. I really like reading all your info. Thanks for putting so much time in for us.
    From seeing you everyday on my tapes, I feel like I know you.~~~~ha-ha..

  11. avatar

    Colleen Weikel

    November 17, 2012 at 8:15 am

    Thanks for the information. It’s nice that you follow up with those of us who order the steel wire. It’s also nice that I won’t ruin my good tools. The hubby has some bolt cutters I can use, so it’s all good!

    Thanks again,

  12. avatar

    Nohubby Needed

    October 22, 2013 at 9:38 am

    Thanks so much for the info on how to cut the steel pattern wire. I did have to chuckle at the thought that I need a husband to go to the hardware store. I have more tools than he does and have made many a trip all by myself. If he’s good I loan him a tool every now and again…just not certain ones.

    Thanks for the video.