Making Quick Work of Twisting Wire

by Oksana Truhan

If you have a Dremel or a flex shaft, you can make your own twisted wire in seconds. It's easy, satisfying, and let's you add texture and interest to your designs.

Instructions

You'll need a vise, and a rotary tool with adjustable chuck.

Oksana Truhan's Making Quick Work of Twisting Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, rotary tool

Create a hook with a short piece of heavy wire, 14- or 16-gauge, and insert it into the rotary tool.

Oksana Truhan's Making Quick Work of Twisting Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, create a hook

Always use dead soft wire. Try 21 gauge, or finer. Fold your wire in half and insert the two ends securely into the vice.

Place the fold of the wire over the hook, and holding the rotary tool above the vise, with the wire taut, turn on the tool to a gentle speed.

Oksana Truhan's Making Quick Work of Twisting Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, fold the wire in half

Oksana Truhan's Making Quick Work of Twisting Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, turn on the rotary tool

If you choose a heavier gauge wire to twist, it's best to twist it manually. Insert a short dowel into the fold and twist the wire with the dowel.

Oksana Truhan's Making Quick Work of Twisting Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, use a dowel to twist heavier wire

Oksana Truhan's Making Quick Work of Twisting Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, twisting wire

When you've finished twisting the wire, remove it from the vise. You'll find it's very work hardened. It can be annealed with a torch to soften it to workability.