| There is an old saying, "Use the right tools for the | | | | rough edges. When choosing your crimp bead, keep |
| right job" because it really does matter. Not only do | | | | in mind that there are two basic kinds. The first kind |
| the right tools make the job easier and less time | | | | is either silver or gold filled tubes and the second kind |
| consuming, but they make the end result look more | | | | is a round base metal. Both work well and choosing |
| professional. This saying can be applied to many | | | | one over the other is a matter of personal |
| areas of your life, even jewelry making. | | | | preference. |
| Take pliers as an example. You may think that they | | | | Flat Nose: Are used to make right angles and sharp |
| are all alike, but as you take a closer look and as you | | | | bends in wire. They can also be used to grip flat |
| begin to use them, you will see that each type is | | | | objects or to straighten out bent wire. |
| quite different. Each plier has its own characteristics | | | | Precision Round Nose: They are used to form loops |
| and job that it is best suited for. Here is a brief | | | | and curves in wire so that the wire can be used for |
| description of each type of plier and the jobs that | | | | beading or wire wrapping designs. Their main |
| they are suited for when it comes to making jewelry. | | | | characteristic is that both jaws on the plier are long |
| Bent Nose: The end of these pliers is curved | | | | and conical in shape, which allows you to easily form |
| upwards, which gives them their unique shape. This | | | | curves. |
| shape allows the pliers to easily pick up and | | | | Ring Shank or Ring Bending: These pliers have a solid |
| manipulate fine wires into loops or coils. The shape | | | | build and are used to hold and reshape rings with the |
| also allows the pliers to get into difficult to reach | | | | help of their specially shaped jaws. The bottom jaw |
| areas that straight nose pliers cannot get into it. | | | | has a concave shape and the top jaw has a convex |
| Chain Nose: Are used to close bead tips and they are | | | | shape. The edges of the jaws are usually rounded, |
| able to crimp in tight spaces. You are able to both | | | | so that the jewelry will not be scratched. |
| shape and bend wire when using these pliers. Since | | | | Side Cutter: These pliers allow you to cut wires and |
| the edges of the jaw are beveled, this prevents wire | | | | metal sheets, leaving the cut edges smooth and |
| from becoming marred. | | | | even. The rest spots on the plier for your thumb and |
| Crimping: These pliers are first used to curl and then | | | | finger are positioned close to the jaw, making it easy |
| flatten crimp beads. They make a very smooth | | | | to do any fine manipulations on jewelry. |
| curve in the bead so that you can't feel any sharp or | | | | |