[Jewelry making - Article 00315] - Re: [Orchid] Twisting 14k yellow and pink gold with sterling

[frank goss]

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    Marion: From your description it sounds like you are trying to
    produce a multi strand cable from three colors of metal. If this is
    correct here is the way I have done it with just gold and it should
    work for gold and silver. I would start with a gauge of metal that
    is going to end up being the  gauge you are looking for. i.e.: od of
    three strands of metal is 6 gauge. If you take a specific gauge of 
    metal as a center core and the lay six pieces of the same gauge
    around the circumference they will be exactly the circumference of
    the center core. First coat the center core piece with whiteout or
    some other anti flux about 2" on either end of the wire( if you
    forget to do this you can slide the core in and out of the bundle a
    couple of inches on either end after adding the binding wire and
    then add the anti flux). Next cut the six wrapping strands equal
    gauge wire to the same approximate length as the center core wire.
    Placing the six pieces around the core use binding wire every 1" or
    2" down the length of the strand of cable you are making ( this is
    where you can anti flux the core if you forgot to do it earlier).
    This holds everything in place and keeps it nice and tight down the
    length. When the cable is complete you have a center core ( I use
    sterling wire for the center) and six strands of wire around it.
    Don't try and twist them or wrap them at this point just lay every
    thing out in a nice straight line.  Next coat the very end piece of
    binding wire with anti flux ( it is easiest to do this before you
    wrap it and twist it down tight). Coat a thin line of anti flux
    around each end of the wire bundle about an inch from the end. (this
    keeps the solder from running up the bundle). Now solder the ends of
    the wire bundles so that the six outside wires are all soldered
    together at the very ends. The center wire should NOT be soldered to
    the others at this point.  Now remove the binding wire on the very
    ends and pickle the soldered joints . When clean and dry place one
    end of the wire bundle in a vice and the other in a set of pliers,
    vice grips, or drill . Keeping the wire taunt begin to twist. Try
    and keep the twist even and consistent. As you twist the cable the
    out side bundle of six will become shorter than the center wire. The
    center wire will stick out of either end of the bundle as the outer
    bundle shortens. When you have twisted to the number of turns per
    inch you desire you can then cut and solder the ends  as well as run
    a solder seam down the bundles. Use binding wire on either side of
    where you intend to cut to hold the bundles together during the
    soldering operation. As you run a solder seam down the bundle be
    careful not to solder on the binding wire as you go. For heavier
    pieces in gold it is not always necessary to run a solder seam the
    length of the bundles. It is a good idea if you are using long
    sections of the bundle or doing any major forming or shaping as the
    wires can tend to separate and the cable loose its tightness and
    form.  I usually like to pull the center core out after the twisting
    and coat it with anti flux, and then reinserting it before running a
    solder seam down the bundle. After the seams of the bundle are
    soldered I then remove the center core , clean the anti flux off ,
    replace the core and then do my forming. I then solder the core at
    the ends after forming and cutting to length.  This allows the
    outside bundle free movement on the core. Many forming techniques
    change the length of the outside bundle without changing the length
    of the core, because of this if the core and the bundle are solder
    together and the bundle length is changed it creates problems. I
    hope this answers your questions and is clean enough to follow. I
    have tried to make it a step by step explanation. If you have any
    questions please feel free to contact me off list and I will be glad
    to elaborate on this process. Good luck with your project and I
    wouldn't work about the red or pink gold work hardening. You can always 
    anneal whenever necessary. Frank Goss


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