Matthew Evans
Elite Cafe Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2017
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Last edited:
Question: Draw tongs
- Thread starter Matthew Evans
- Start date
Hello Mathew,
I have drawn a lot of wire and have never used draw tongs.
My method is to use a set of small, bent nose, smooth jaw jewelers plyers to gently grasp the tapered end of the wire when it appears from the die. Then I just use my hand to steadily pull the wire through.
Give it a try, but your results may vary. I lube the die with reloaders bullet lube.
Rows and teeth will work for for overlay/inlay using the wire method.
But of course, it depends on the close spacing and the aggressiveness of the burrs and the temper of the wire.
I have drawn a lot of wire and have never used draw tongs.
My method is to use a set of small, bent nose, smooth jaw jewelers plyers to gently grasp the tapered end of the wire when it appears from the die. Then I just use my hand to steadily pull the wire through.
Give it a try, but your results may vary. I lube the die with reloaders bullet lube.
Rows and teeth will work for for overlay/inlay using the wire method.
But of course, it depends on the close spacing and the aggressiveness of the burrs and the temper of the wire.
I usually draw silver, copper, and brass for jewelry. I have not drawn gold wire. I recently bought expensive draw tongs from Otto Frei and am happy with the result. Before these tongs I used both vise grips (for several years) and cheap draw tongs. The cheap draw tongs did not grasp the wire. The vise grips broke off the end of the wire after a few draws so I constantly had to file the end to fit through the next hole in the plate. I pull by hand and with a home-made draw bench.
Adder
Elite Cafe Member
I use the same method with lube for reloading as John B. And a cheap one dollar plyer where I have grinded down the teeth on it. Works like a charm.
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