March 6, 2012

Basic Tools for Wirework

When you start working with wire, you need tools. Often, I am asked, "What tools do I need for wire-wrapping?" There is a huge range of jewelry tools available. I would say you need four tools for sure :) But...The more you work, the more tools you have, believe me. 
So, let's look at some tools. 

Pliers.

1 - Chain nose pliers have tapered tips, smooth jaws and slightly rounded edges for shaping and bending. They are very useful for opening and closing jump rings.

2 - Wire cutters are for cutting wire and headpins. To cut memory wire use special  memory wire shears!

3 - Nylon jaw pliers have plastic jaws. These pliers really useful for straightening wire. Hold one end of the wire between the jaws of a pair of flat nose pliers in your non dominant hand and hold the nylon nose pliers in your other hand. Place the nylon nose pliers on the wire, next to the flat nose pliers, then draw the pliers along the wire to remove any kinks and to straighten it. Notice: the more you straighten the wire, the harder it becomes!

4 - Flat nose pliers designed for making sharp bends and right angles in wire. Flat nose pliers can also grip flat objects and work well for straightening bent wire.
5 - Round nose pliers have tapered, conical jaws for making round wire loops and curves. Use them to round ends of memory wire or to loop wire for beading and wire wrapping designs. If you want to make consistent sized loops, mark the pliers with a permanent marker so that you always place your wire in the same place.

6,7 -  Bail making pliers have round, barrel-shaped jaws that help you create the perfect bail for any sized pendant.

Also, I have another extra tools that I use in my wire work.

8 - Steel bench block won't go anywhere as you work to texture, flatten and shape your metal pieces. Use this block for your metal stamping work too!

9 - Chasing hammer  has a large face for flattening and a ball-peen side for riveting and metal design.  If the head of a Chasing Hammer is totally flat, then you will mar your wire if the edge of the hammer happens to hit it. If it is too convex, there is only a small striking area in the middle. Choose a hammer that is only slightly convex.

10 - Steel Ring mandrel for forming and shaping rings sizes 1-15. Unlike plastic ring mandrels, you can use this solid metal mandrel for hammering metal. Form rings directly on mandrel!

11 - Automatic Wire twister. Twist almost any size wire at twice the speed! Also, I use the twister to coil the wire! Just love it!

12 - Pin vise for twisting short-to medium-length wires.

What's your favorite jewelry making tool?

22 comments:

  1. Wow! Very useful article, thank you Albina.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Replies
    1. Greeting for the Day
      Dear sir/ madam
      We are manufactures premium quality Jewellery hand tools, Flat Nose, Serrated, Round Nose, Serrated, Flat Nose, Serrated - Chain Nose, Serrated- Straight End Cutter - Oblique End Cutter - Side Cutter , Nylon-Jaw Pliers and Replacement Tips , Memory Wire Pliers and Cutters, Crimping Pliers, Wire Cutters and Metal Shears, Rotating Leather Hole Punch, Hammer with Brass, Nylon and Fiber, Hammer Nylon, Fiber-Grip Cross-Locking Curved Tweezer, Fiber-Grip Tweezer, products we are specialize in this field for many year, with highest quality and pretty competitive prices we are professional manufacture all kind of jewellery hand tools and i hope to establish business relationship we recommend your one time give us chance we will give you some samples free of cost
      If you are interested we can send your samples free of cost


      Delete
  3. It's very interesting. thank you

    ReplyDelete
  4. My favourite tools are drill and knitting needle - to make rings for chainmaille jewellery :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Очень полезная информация! Спасибо!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greeting for the Day
      Dear sir/ madam
      We are manufactures premium quality Jewellery hand tools, Flat Nose, Serrated, Round Nose, Serrated, Flat Nose, Serrated - Chain Nose, Serrated- Straight End Cutter - Oblique End Cutter - Side Cutter , Nylon-Jaw Pliers and Replacement Tips , Memory Wire Pliers and Cutters, Crimping Pliers, Wire Cutters and Metal Shears, Rotating Leather Hole Punch, Hammer with Brass, Nylon and Fiber, Hammer Nylon, Fiber-Grip Cross-Locking Curved Tweezer, Fiber-Grip Tweezer, products we are specialize in this field for many year, with highest quality and pretty competitive prices we are professional manufacture all kind of jewellery hand tools and i hope to establish business relationship we recommend your one time give us chance we will give you some samples free of cost
      If you are interested we can send your samples free of cost


      Delete
    2. a ud, buenos dias que esta como desconocido, como lo contactamos para estos tipos de alicates, no aparece con marca

      Delete
  6. Hi Albina. Great article for a beginner tooling up, like me. Problem though with second picture.
    Andrew

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks a lot...its very helpful. Can you explain about the bend nose pliers?

    ReplyDelete
  8. This helped so much. Encourages me greatly to get started. Thanks!

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  9. Thank you, now I'm ahead of the curve, because now this information will make my work even easier.

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  10. Thank you this will be great help to beginning crafters like me!

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  11. This beginner would like to thank you for sharing this wonderful information. I had no idea where to begin. As winter approaches, I am sure my husband and I will be making lots of jewelry thanks to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where can I find to buy these pliers?

      Delete
  12. Per comprare le attrezzature come devo fare?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Excellent thanku very much 😊

    ReplyDelete
  14. Buying jewelry from a jewelry store is nowadays akin to highway robbery. In a matter of moments, we end up spending an extravagant amount. Burning a hole in your pocket is inevitable if you are thinking of buying jewelry. jewelry repair scottsdale

    ReplyDelete
  15. These are great tools Sad to say but i could not find the #7 bail tool locally. How can i avail of this tool? Would appreciate it much if you can tell me. I am from the Philippines & a beginner very much interested into jewelry making. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  16. hermoso fascículo, nos agradeceria en donde comprar, estos,oh ud nos puede vender, la verdad me ayudo mucho en cuanto a usos y nombres, gracias por enseñarnos, y siga con su blog muy bueno

    ReplyDelete