Twisting Wire Evenly
Question #1:
I have purchased your Beginner Series and am having a great time with the projects. My question is this: In your videos your twisted wire looks perfect from end to end. In other words, it's not twisted more on the ends than it is in the middle. I use a drill and hold my wire with my pliers just as you show, but the wire twists much more on each end than in the middle. So by the time I get my wire the way I want it in the middle, it is way too tight on both ends. The orbit earrings using a 14" piece of wire is a good example of this. How do I get my wire to look as even as yours?
-Rebecca in Ft. Myers, Florida
Question #2
How much of the length of the wire is lost when it is twisted? Should it be twisted before measuring for the project?
I have purchased your Beginner Series and am having a great time with the projects. My question is this: In your videos your twisted wire looks perfect from end to end. In other words, it's not twisted more on the ends than it is in the middle. I use a drill and hold my wire with my pliers just as you show, but the wire twists much more on each end than in the middle. So by the time I get my wire the way I want it in the middle, it is way too tight on both ends. The orbit earrings using a 14" piece of wire is a good example of this. How do I get my wire to look as even as yours?
-Rebecca in Ft. Myers, Florida
Question #2
How much of the length of the wire is lost when it is twisted? Should it be twisted before measuring for the project?
Instructions
Answer #1:
Oh yes Rebecca, twisting wire really is as easy as it looks.
But due to the nature of the material, my wire doesn't always twist consistently either!
If you can, try twisting some wire very slowly and watch closely. You'll notice that the wire twists from both ends toward the center. As a result, the middle section doesn't twist as tightly as the ends.
The only way to get a consistent twist is to plan for about 1/4 inch on each end to twist more tightly then trim those ends off.
For example, when making the Orbit Earrings, start by cutting your wire to 15-1/4 inches, then cut that in half.
This gives you two 7-5/8 inch pieces. Your pliers and drill will each grip about 1/8 inch, and the extra 1/4 inch on each end can be trimmed after twisting.
For lots more information about twisting wire, please see my article: Getting Twisted, and congratulations on your success, Rebecca!
Oh yes Rebecca, twisting wire really is as easy as it looks.
But due to the nature of the material, my wire doesn't always twist consistently either!
If you can, try twisting some wire very slowly and watch closely. You'll notice that the wire twists from both ends toward the center. As a result, the middle section doesn't twist as tightly as the ends.
The only way to get a consistent twist is to plan for about 1/4 inch on each end to twist more tightly then trim those ends off.
For example, when making the Orbit Earrings, start by cutting your wire to 15-1/4 inches, then cut that in half.
This gives you two 7-5/8 inch pieces. Your pliers and drill will each grip about 1/8 inch, and the extra 1/4 inch on each end can be trimmed after twisting.
For lots more information about twisting wire, please see my article: Getting Twisted, and congratulations on your success, Rebecca!
Answer #2:
Based on my experience with twisting square wire, a single strand in gauges 20 and smaller won't lose enough length to worry about.
For larger gauges 19 through 16 you'll lose around 1/16 to 1/8 inch. With 14 and 12 gauge, expect to lose about 1/4 inch.
When twisting round wire around square wire (gauges 20 through 12), the length loss becomes unpredictable. It depends on how tight the twist is. In these cases, it's safest to add about 1/2 inch to each piece.
Twisting two round wires together also causes some loss, which again depends on the gauges and twist tightness.
This will help you plan more accurately for future twisted designs.
Answer contributed by Dale `Cougar` Armstrong
Based on my experience with twisting square wire, a single strand in gauges 20 and smaller won't lose enough length to worry about.
For larger gauges 19 through 16 you'll lose around 1/16 to 1/8 inch. With 14 and 12 gauge, expect to lose about 1/4 inch.
When twisting round wire around square wire (gauges 20 through 12), the length loss becomes unpredictable. It depends on how tight the twist is. In these cases, it's safest to add about 1/2 inch to each piece.
Twisting two round wires together also causes some loss, which again depends on the gauges and twist tightness.
This will help you plan more accurately for future twisted designs.
Answer contributed by Dale `Cougar` Armstrong
Pro Tip: Experiment with short pieces of copper and keep a log of your results.
Materials
22 Gauge Square Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-22SQH
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6mm Topaz 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 10
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Rose Gold Filled Round Bright Beads 2.5mm - Pack of 20
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Beginner Series - Part 2
DVD-BEG2
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3 Prong Wire Twister Head
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- Category: Classic
- Technique(s): Wrapping, Twisting, General Education
Dale Armstrong
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