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Daily Wire Tip June 29: A Pattern Calls for Twisted Wire

By on June 28, 2011
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
June 29, 2011

Question:

I have a tutorial that calls for 16-gauge twisted wire. To make it myself, do I fold 16-gauge in half, then twist the two lengths together, or use two lengths of a thinner gauge and twist them so the combined wires are the equivalent of 16-gauge? Thank you.

-Kathy in Waxahachie, Texas

Answer:

Hi Kathy, if I were to read a tutorial that calls for 16 gauge twisted wire and could not contact the tutorial author, I would twist one piece of 16 gauge square wire. I would assume that it is not round, because we know that twisting a single piece of round wire will only make the wire harder, instead of giving a twisted appearance.

The only thing you have to consider is, how detailed is the pattern? If the wire is twisted very tightly, the twisting process will take up a small bit of the overall length, so you may wish to add about 1/4 inch to the required length. If you are only going to twist it a little bit, then using the amount called for in the pattern should be fine.

Here’s an experiment for you. After you have made the design according to the pattern’s directions, try it again, this time twisting double the required length in round wire, in 18-gauge. Yes, fold the doubled length in half first, and then twist it as tightly as you need to form a nice, smooth rope. The results can be very cool!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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