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How to Form Metal Stamping Wire

Forming different sizes of metal wire to create stamped designs on for use in jewelry-making is not complicated, but it does require some specialized tools and equipment. Jewelry supply catalogs and stores offer a wide variety of equipment and tools in different sizes that you can use to change wire gauges, lengths and shapes.

Things You'll Need

  • Draw plate
  • Snub-nosed pliers
  • Work horse with vice grips
  • Metal wire
  • Metal snips
  • Metal file
  • Metal stamps
  • Hammer
  • Separate work area
  • Work bench or sturdy table
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a separate work area that has room for the work horse. Mount the vice grips on to the work horse, with the draw plate secured between them. Arrange the metal wire and other tools that you purchased nearby in the work area.

    • 2

      Snip one end of the larger-gauge metal wire to form a pointed shape that will fit into the draw plate hole that you choose to use first in forming the shape, size, and length of metal wire that you desire for stamping. File the end of the metal wire to a point.

    • 3

      Poke the point of the metal wire through the draw plate hole. Using the pliers from the other side of the draw plate, grip the tip of the metal wire and pull it through the draw plate hole.

    • 4

      Repeat step 2 as desired until you form the size, length, and shape of metal wire that you desire for stamping.

    • 5

      Lay the metal wire flat on a table or work bench area. Position the first metal stamp in the middle of the length of wire that you choose to create a stamped design on. Using a hammer, stamp the design pattern in to the metal wire.

    • 6

      Make your second stamp to the left of the first center stamp on the piece of wire that you formed. Make your third stamp on the wire to the right of the first center piece of metal that you formed. Repeat this process working from left to right on either side of the center stamp on the wire as you go out toward the ends of the wire. This will create an even-stamped pattern in the metal wire and lessen the amount of curl on either end of the wire as you complete the stamping process.

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