Draw Plates

A draw plate is a multi-die plate made of hardened steel which wire is drawn through to thin it. Our Draw Plates are available in many different shapes and sizes including round, square, oval, half-round rectangular square and triangular for reducing and forming different shaped wire. The drawing holes on the plate are wider at the rear and taper slightly towards the front.

Method:

• Prepare the wire by hammering, filing, rolling or swaging, to reduce it, in order for it to fit through the die; the wire is then ready to be pulled through the die.
• During this process the volume of the wire remains the same, so as the diameter decreases, the length increases.
• Usually the wire requires to be drawn through several dies, allowing the wire to gradually decrease until the desired size is reached, to ensure the longevity of the die plate.
• When drawing, anneal the wire first and file at one end to taper it.
• Measure the diameter of the wire and insert the tapered end into a die hole the closest size smaller to its diameter.
• Use Draw Tongs (D6239) to hold and pull the wire through the die. Sometimes it may be necessary to lubricate the wire with grease or wax, see our code P1406.
• A wire can be drawn up to three times consecutively before it needs to be re-annealed. The drawing process makes the wire brittle, not re-annealed the wire can cause snapping.
• Metals such as gold, silver, copper, brass, bronze and pewter can be drawn through a regular steel plate, whereas stronger metals such as platinum, titanium and palladium wire are recommended to be drawn through a tungsten carbide plate for durability. All metals drawn with this plate, however, will have a polished finish coat.
• Every draw plate we stock is made from the very best hardened steel to ensure optimum longevity.

The above picture is of a round hole steel draw plate with 31 Holes Ø3.00 to 6.00mm (code D4458) and a heavy duty workshop vice (code V33154) holding it.
Below is a guide for making round tube with this item…
Formula to find the circumference of a round tube: Multiply diameter by 3.1416

• Depending on the size of the tube to be made, cut the sheet to the desired strip width considering the formula above.
• Remove the sharp edge of the sheet to make drawing easier by using a Deburring Tool with Pocket Clip (Code B31879).
• Prepare one end by cutting it to a point so it will fit through the preferred die size. Ensure the point is long enough so the wire can be pulled through the die with a draw tong easily (code D6239).
• Coat the edges with Beeswax (P1406) to lubricate.
Secure the draw plate in a vice and draw the wire, this will achieve the tubular shape illustrated in the picture above.

• Finally, use a Tube Cutting Jig with Sizing Gauge (T31883) to cut the tube to the length you would like which is now ready to be soldered.