# Rolling and wire drawing: sheet and wire

> Rolling reduces an ingot to sheet and wire drawing stretches it into wire through a draw plate; steps, gauges and lubrication.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-and-wire-drawing/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-26
- Updated: 2026-08-26
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/laminado-y-trefilado/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Almost all the metal a jeweler uses comes from ingots that are rolled into sheet and drawn into wire.

![Steps of the technique: Anneal, Adjust, Feed, Turn 90°, Anneal, Measure](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/laminado-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## Rolling

The metal is passed through the rollers of a [rolling mill](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-mills/), reducing the thickness a little at a time and annealing between passes. Grooved rollers make square, round and half-round wire.

## Wire drawing

The wire is stretched by pulling it through the decreasing holes of a draw plate, with beeswax as lubricant. Anneal when the wire stiffens.

## Gauges

Thickness is measured in millimeters or in gauges (AWG or B&S): the higher the gauge number, the finer the wire. 20 AWG is about 0.8 mm.

## Tips

Keep the rollers and draw plate clean, center the metal so it does not curve, and always roll in the same direction.

## Step by step

1. **Anneal.** Soften the metal before passing it through the rollers.
2. **Adjust.** Close the rollers a little more with each pass.
3. **Feed.** Insert the metal straight and with a continuous motion.
4. **Turn 90°.** Alternate direction to roll evenly.
5. **Anneal.** When it stiffens, soften it again.
6. **Measure.** Check the thickness with the caliper.

## Tools and materials

- [Rolling mill](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-mills/)
- [Draw plate](https://www.711grados.com/en/draw-plate/) and draw tongs
- Caliper ([see caliper](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-scale-and-caliper/))
- Beeswax

## Common mistakes

- Reducing too much in one pass: it cracks or curls.
- Feeding the metal crooked: it comes out wedge-shaped.
- Forgetting to anneal: the metal hardens and breaks.
- Leaving dirt on the rollers: it marks the sheet.

## See also

- [Rolling mills: how to flatten metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/rolling-mills/)
- [Annealing: how to soften metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/annealing-metal/)
- [Draw plate](https://www.711grados.com/en/draw-plate/)
- [Metal ingots and casting grain](https://www.711grados.com/en/metal-ingots-and-casting-grain/)