A Perfect Twist

I use a LOT of twisted wire in my art. So looking about for good ideas on different things I could do, I noticed there was no instructable (at least that I could find) for twisting wire. Even with all the really great instructables available on the site, I still couldn't find one.  Of course this doesn't mean there isn't one, but I thought I might share this little secret on how to twist wire easily, and get the perfect twist.  I have seen a lot of people trying to twist wire by hand, and having a hard time just to get inferior results, and I have seen "manual wire twisting" gadgets that cost a fortune.  But why spend anymore than what you absolutely have to, especially when the easiest way to twist a perfect wire is by using things you probably already have around the house.

For this instructable you will need:
Wire cutters to cut the wire
Wire - any pretty much any guage can be used determined on what you need the twisted wire for
A phillips head screw driver, the longer the better so you can hold onto it while twisting
A power drill ( I personally prefer to use my hubby's cordless, just because there is no cord to deal with and I don't have to find a place to plug it in)

And even though I didn't mention it, or put them in the photo, you really should protect your eyes! 

Step 1: Cut the Wire and Fold It in Half

Remember you will need more than twice the length of wire you would require for a single wire peice.  You will be doubling the wire over, and you will lose a certain amount of wire in the process of twisting.   I don't recommend twisting more than the length you can stretch your arm to hold (see the photo as an illustation).  You can twist a longer amount if you have someone or something to hold the opposite end, but since I generally have no volunteers when it comes to working around me and power tools, I stick to the shorter lengths and make do as I can.

I cut a 20 inch piece of wire for this project, and after twisting and trimming I had a 5 inch piece left.  This will vary for the guage of wire and the amount of twisting applied. 

Step 2: Secure the Wire in the Drill Chuck

You will need to carefully insert the two cut ends of the wire into the drill chuck. It needs to be placed in the center, and be certain not to have the sides get caught as the chuck is closing.  The wire will pull from the chuck unless it is firmly secured dead center.

Step 3: Secure the Wire So You Can Begin Twisting

Once you have closed the chuck around the wire, you might want to give it a good tug to see if it will pull out.  Mine come out about 20% of the time, even when I have checked and double checked the placement.
Insert the phillip head screw driver between the two wire and move it down to the looped end (where the wire was doubled over).  Pull the wire taut so that it will twist evenly when the drill is started.

Step 4: Twist the Wire....

Start the drill while continuing to hold the screwdriver end taut (be careful as the force from the drill can pull the screw driver from your hand and possiby injure you)

This might be a good time to mention again that anytime you are working with power tools you should wear appropriate eye protection.

Step 5: The Twisted Wire Is Done!

You can twist the wire as fast as you are comfortable with, but don't go so slow that the wire begins to twist on itself.  Remember you MUST hold the wire as taut as you drill so that it will twist evenly.

When the wire is completely twisted, it will break on it's own.  You can release the chuck and remove the two small peices of wire that are left in the chuck. 

Slide the looped end from the phillips head and you have a nice, evenly and tightly twisted piece of wire to use for whatever the purpose is you planned.  You also have a nice loop with a strong twisted wire on it if you want to use it that way.  It makes a great hanger for objects it can be soldered onto. 

Step 6: Now What to Do With the Wire.....

 Someone asked me to post something I use the wire for.  I have been really busy with family matters lately, but I did get a chance to get out into the shop and put together a few things.  For a couple of them, I used some twisted wire.  This is just one of the ways I used some of it.
I bent the wire to form a treble clef, and the letter S to make a glass heart for my niece who loves music.  I added the pieces to a "pickle" in order to clean them and help stop any oxidation of the metal during the firing process of the kiln.
I collected a large number of various pieces of COE 96 glass, and put them in a porcelain heart mold.  I added the wire pieces and covered it with clear COE 96 glass.  I fused it (and there will be an instructable to come on glass fusing when I get things caught up here).  The result was the piece you see.   

Comments

[rebollo1]

Sorry I speak Spanish. If you go through a roller press can be made bracelets and rings for hands

[arpoky]

If you speak Spanish, then why are you speaking English? Lulz.

[UwU i love crafts]

EXPOSEDDDD lol

[MommaKate]

This person is probably using a translator App when they know it’s an English speakers blog/ you tube video.

i used e when I am on someone’s blog who speaks Spanish.

[RebeccaB7777]

Thanks so much, exactly what I was looking for.

[CatsPaw]

Hi - just found your instructible. I'm looking to make some torques for a play next year and so far I have only played with wire twisting so I am unsure what wire to use. One torque is 4 string (2 plain and 2 of thinner wire twisted together) the others are 3 string (2 plain and 1 thinner twisted wire). I was wondering if you could help me with how much wire I might need to make around 17-20 inches with 18 and 24 guage or 20 and 26 guage?

[barefootbohemian]

Hi!

There isn't really an exact number I can give you since it will depend largely on the tightness of the twist you make. I have found from experience that a nice even looking twist requires about 2 1/2 to 3 times the length you want to end up with.

I have only double twisted wire a few times experimentally (twisting together 2 twisted wires). I will say that it will take at least 4-5 times the length and some brute force to hold the end while it is twisted so it comes out smooth and even. It will start to "bunch" up and twist out if shape uncontrollably in the first 1/3 of the twist if you don't put some torque to it!

My suggestion would be experiment with a cheaper similar gauge wire several times. Measure before you twist it the after and you should be able to come up with a formula so you will be slightly past the desired length, then trim is to size with a cut-off blade.

Good luck and I would love to hear how it goes and see the finished product!!

[Lizzie0]

Very helpful instructable. Thanks for posting. Especially the reminders about lengths of wire needed etc.

[bxridley]

I just used this for powering LED lights, with two strands of coated magnet wire. It really sped up and improved the process versus hand twisting! Thank you! I'll post an instructable later and link back here for credit on that part of it.

[Short One]

My dad does this for his electrical type wires, to keep them together and neat and prevent tangling. I got to help him a few times. It was fun. :D

[aricooperdavis]

 I have tried this with solder. Very beautiful yet totally useless. Also may I suggest taking a long piece and twisting it more than once? It makes a quite nice shape but not quite as nice as the single twist. Anyway, Thanks! Great instructable. Something very satisfactory - I must say!

[barefootbohemian]

Actually doubling solder can be quite useful. There are many times I could use a thicker solder than what I have, and that does the trick :)

[barefootbohemian]

 I have tried the doubling of the twist before. Unfortunately I wasn't strong enough to keep mine from kinking back on itself. But it would have been nice I think, if I had been able to. 
I started out playing with solder when I was very very young  I would sit on the floor of the garage while my dad worked on things, and I would take the scrap solder and make rings and other jewelry.  Makes me wonder what I did to my brain cells back then! All that lead, probably some acid core solder? I might have been a true genius had I not done that LOL! Or maybe not. But thanks for the compliment. I have been trying to get back on here to do some more instructables, but my father has been seriously ill so I end up spending more time in the hospital than in the shop.  But I shall return! eventually..... 

[arpoky]

Could you not do this by taking the finished twist, folding it in half, putting it back in the drill, and twisting it again?

[barefootbohemian]

I tried to do this a couple of times and ended up with it kinking up before the twist was done. I imagine it could be done, but it would take a stronger person than me to keep tension on the wire.

[aricooperdavis]

Yes, that is what I mean.

[barefootbohemian]

I think you have a wonderful idea rebollo1 :) in any language...

[barefootbohemian]

It doesn't matter what language a person uses, as long as it is understood what he says. So why argue about it? No hace nada cualquier idioma Uds. prefieren , mientras se entienda qué él dice. ¿Tan porqué discuta sobre él? Non ci è differenza che lingua una persona usa, finchè è capito che cosa dice. Così perché discuta a questo proposito? Es gibt keinen Unterschied, welche Sprache eine Person verwendet, solange es verstanden wird, was er sagt. So warum argumentieren Sie über es? And with that said.... have a beautiful day!

[rebollo1]

Si lo pasa por una prensa de rodillos . Se aplana y se pueden hacer pulceras o anillos

[AEchinoderm]

 If you have a bench vise, you can flip the whole thing around. Instead of inserting the two ends of the wire into the chuck (and having them come off eventually), get them held by the vise's jaws and put a hook (one of those with a thread, to be screwed into walls) into the drill's chuck (by the straight end).