Select the Right Jewelry Pliers for Making Handmade Jewelry

For example, there are pliers you uses to make handmade-beaded-jewelry and other pliers for metal-jewelry-making

As you continue to develop your skill as a jewelry artist, you will begin to accumulate a variety of pliers and you will also develop a preference for certain pliers.

Pliers will become the handiest and most useful tools on your jeweler’s bench. There are many types and shapes of jewelry pliers, each with its own function. There are also many methods of manufacturing pliers, including different forms, constructions, compositions and ways to join them.

The following is a check list of things to consider to help you decide how to invest your money and get the best jewelry pliers to get the job done.

1. Cost: A rule of thumb to follow when selecting pliers is that the higher the cost, the better the steel and manufacture. It is a wise investment to buy just a few well selected pliers to start with, than to purchase every set of pliers available from a lower end manufacturer.
   

2. Purpose: Think of the jewelry you usually make and the type of materials you work with. When making very delicate wire work, such as wire wrapping, you will need pliers with a very fine tip. When working with heavier type of wire you will have to purchase pliers that have a wider tip and can handle the work better. Using your fine tip jewelry pliers on heavier type wire may end up breaking the spring tolerance and ruining the tip. Consider the length of the tips. Short pliers tend to be thicker and stronger and facilitate the bending of heavier metals. Longer tip pliers are helpful when making longer bends, because they have longer handles that provide better balance and leverage.
   

3. Usage: Depending on how much you use your pliers, you have to consider your health and well being. Pliers with double springs cut down on the tension you have to apply and thus prevent fatigue. Think about ergonomics and before purchasing pliers hold them in your hands and feel the weight and tension.
   

4. Design: When you work with fine detail in your designs, there are a number of pliers to consider.
   

5. Function: Form defines the shapes of the jaws of the pliers. Pliers can be round nosed, chain nosed, or flat nosed or a combination of all of the above.
   

6. Composition: This refers to the material used to make the pliers. Most pliers are made of some steel; Stainless Steel:This type of metal resist rust, is durable and requires little to no maintenance. This is a good choice for beginner jewelers. Hardened Tool Steel: is more durable and requires little maintenance even under heavy usage. These pliers may be more expensive but they are worth the investment.
   

7. Construction: Pliers are either cast or forged. Casting means that the molten steel is poured into a mold. This type of tool is neither work-hardened nor tempered and it tends to be brittle. They also tend to break under hard usage. Forged tools, on the other hand, are compressed under great pressure. The metal is hardened and tempered for durability and strength.
   

8. The Joint: The most common types of joints are lap joints and box joints; Lap joints: In this type of pliers one side overlaps the other side where they cross, and they are joined with a rivet. The rivet will loosen with time and use, making the pliers loose and unreliable. Box joints: have a hidden rivet. Each half of the pliers surrounds the joint of the other half. In this way the plier’s alignment is maintained throughout the life of the tool.
   

Jewelry Pliers you Must Have

1. Round Nose Pliers: The nose of the pliers are wide at the base and taper to smaller round ends. They are used to to make loops and filigree, hold small components, open and close jump rings, for wire wrapping or making chain. It is best to not use them for gripping as they have a tendency to dent soft wire.
   

2. Flat Nose Pliers: have wide flat jaws for making angled bends, flattening and forming metal. They are used mostly for bending wire at a variety of angles. They are perfect for holding beads in between their flat nose, facilitating wire wrapping. This prevents marring and scratching the beads.
   

3. Chain Nose Plier: Taper from pivot to tip, but are flat where the jaws meet and are used to open and close jump rings. They are the most basic pliers and are great for wire work including bending, holding and turning the wire.
   

4. Wire Cutters: Are used for cutting wire or cord. Several varieties are available depending on the individuals needs.
   
   1. Side Cutters: An inexpensive plier for cutting wire. These cutters will leave a pointy, rough edge that will need to be filed smooth. These are best used with flexible beading wire and tigertail.
      

   2. Diagonal Flush Cutter: Use to get a flush cut on wire or flexible beading wire. Reduces the need to file ends of cut wire. Use to cut and trim wire and findings such as eye and head pins. Ideal for 20-26 Ga. wire.
   
   

   An Important Addtion to your Jewelry Tools

   1. Bent Nose Pliers: These are similar to chain nose pliers, but have a bent tip. The bent nose pliers gives better access to those hard to reach places. Great for tucking wire into beads.
      

   2. Crimp Pliers: This is my prefer choice to flatten crimp beads. Using the crimp pliers gives it a more finished look with no sharp edges.
      

   3. Long Nose Pliers: Are similar to Flat Nose Pliers but have a long tapered tip. Offers more reach but less leverage than the Flat Nose. These are perfect when you are making a very intricate spiral.
      

   4. Nylon Jaw Pliers: Have replaceable nylon jaws. They are designed to work with delicate items, especially for those who work with metal wire, to prevent nicks.
      

   Preparing your Jewelry Pliers

   Once you buy your jewelry pliers, the first thing to do is to check the edges. Make sure that every edge of the pliers are smooth or sharp. Most of the time brand new pliers have sharp edges,and if they are, take a file and file them down. This will save you a lot of time later because you won't have to smooth and polish out tool marks and nicks on your finished jewelry piece.
   

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