# Bending, curving and twisting metal

> Bending, curving and twisting metal with pliers and mandrels: rings, bangles, twisted cables and spiral square wire.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/bending-curving-and-twisting/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-08
- Updated: 2026-09-14
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/doblado-curvado-y-torsion/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Many pieces of jewelry are made without melting: wires and strips of metal are bent and twisted until the form is reached.

![Steps of the technique: Anneal, Mark, Bend, Check, Harden, Tidy](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/doblado-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## Bending

With flat- or round-nose pliers you make angles and loops; with mandrels and forming forks you curve rings and bangles. Anneal when the metal stiffens.

## Twisting

Two or more wires held at one end and twisted at the other form a cable. It can be done with a drill or a hand twister. Twisted square wire gives a spiral effect.

## Mandrels

Ring and bangle mandrels (tapered) let you curve to an exact size. See [pliers and tweezers](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-pliers-and-tweezers/).

## Tips

Protect pliers with nylon jaws so they do not mark the metal.

## Step by step

1. **Anneal.** Soften the metal if it is thick or hard.
2. **Mark.** Indicate where you will bend.
3. **Bend.** With pliers or over a mandrel, little by little.
4. **Check.** Compare with the design or a template.
5. **Harden.** Tap with a nylon mallet to set the shape.
6. **Tidy.** Remove marks with file and sandpaper.

## Tools and materials

- Flat and round-nose [pliers](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-pliers-and-tweezers/)
- [Mandrels](https://www.711grados.com/en/mandrels-and-ring-sizers/)
- Nylon or rawhide mallet
- Paper or wire template

## Common mistakes

- Bending sharply in one go: it cracks.
- Bending back and forth several times: it hardens and breaks.
- Marking with the pliers' jaws.
- Not hardening the piece at the end: it loses its shape.

## See also

- [Jewelry pliers and tweezers: types and uses](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-pliers-and-tweezers/)
- [Rolling and wire drawing: sheet and wire](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-and-wire-drawing/)
- [Wire wrapping](https://www.711grados.com/en/wire-wrapping/)