There is an old saying, "Use the right tools for the right job" and it really is true. Having the right tools make the job easier, less time consuming and they make the end result look more professional. So, always keep that saying in mind the next time you are buying any tools, even those used in jewelry making.
One of the most important tools for jewelry making is a plier. There are many different types of pliers. At first glance, they might all look the same, but as you take a closer look and as you begin to use them, you will see that each type is quite different. Each plier has its own characteristics and job that it is best suited for. Here is a brief description of each type of plier and the jobs that they are best suited for when it comes to making jewelry.
Bent nose pliers have a unique shape because the tip of the plier is curved upwards. This allows the user to easily work with fine wires and manipulate the wire into loops and coils. The pliers also allow the user to get into areas that straight pliers cannot reach.
The edges of a chain nose plier are beveled, which prevents wire from becoming damaged or marred. This type of plier has two uses. One, they can close bead tips and crimp wire in very tight spaces. Two, they can bend and shape wire without the user worrying about damaging the wire.
Crimping pliers have short, thick ends with both large and small grooved openings. The openings allow the user to fold, flatten, curl or roll tubes and beads. These pliers ensure that once the bead is the shape you want, you won't feel any sharp or rough edges. When choosing your crimp bead, keep in mind that there are two basic kinds. The first kind is either silver or gold filled tubes and the second kind is a round base metal. Both work well and choosing one over the other is a matter of personal preference.
As the name suggests, flat nose pliers are flat. They are best known for accomplishing two important tasks. One, the flat shape of the pliers allows them to make right angles and sharp bends in wire. Two, they are perfect for gripping flat objects or straightening out bent wire.
Precision round nose pliers look very similar to flat nose pliers, except that they are round instead of flat. As well, both jaws on the plier are long and conical in shape. It is the shape of these pliers that allows the user to easily form curves and loops in the wire, which is perfect when the wire is used for beading or wire wrapping designs.
These pliers can be easily recognized because the shapes of the jaws are different. The bottom jaw has a concave shape, while the top jaw has a convex shape. As well, the jaws are usually rounded. The pliers are used on rings and the shape of the pliers ensures that the jewelry will not be scratched while it is being held or reshaped.
The jaws on the side cutter pliers are small and can come in a variety of shapes. The one advantage of these pliers is that the user can place their thumb and finger near the jaw in order to do fine manipulations on jewelry. These pliers are used to cut wires and metal sheets, leaving the cut edges smooth and even.
Split ring pliers have one jaw with a hook or tooth and the other jaw is flat. To use these pliers, simply place the jaw with the tooth between the split ring and squeeze the handles. Just like that, the split ring will pop open so that it can be placed on chains or wires.
Stone setting pliers come in a few different shapes, but the one thing that all the shapes have in common is that the bottom jaw is notched and the top jaw is smooth. This allows the user to easily hold the stones in place without damaging them, while closing or opening the prongs that keep the stone securely attached to the piece of jewelry.
These pliers come in many different shapes and sizes because each one is meant to handle a different diameter or strength of wire. Wire wrapping pliers are aptly named because their purpose is to wrap wire in many different ways and into many different shapes. Therefore, there is a plier for each way the wire can be wrapped.
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