Hi Brian, saw the tut, did almost the same thing except I grabbed the cylinder, entered the 16 segments, set the diameter to .5 and length to 5, then rotated 17, 16, 15 etc segments respectively to get the above shape.  I didn't make a uv map---YET just coated it with copper texture.  did play around with it by adding smaller stubs of cylinders to the end for bare copper and changed the original piece (above) to white for the poly covering.  Managing to make bends now.  It will take a few tries to get it somewhat right.  However, now  I know that one can make twisted wire or rope in Carrara, just have to perfect the method.  Jan