WHAT TYPES OF JEWELRY PLIERS DO I NEED?
Jewelry pliers are indispensable tools for jewelry making and repair projects, offering a range of functionalities that cater to various needs.
With numerous types of pliers available, from basic to specialized, selecting the right ones can be overwhelming, especially for beginners.
From our handy guide below, you will learn about different kinds of jewelry making pliers and what can be made with each type.
We will also explain what each type does and what to include in your starter tool kit.
Using information provided here you will be able to pick the right jewelry pliers and craft beautiful, unique pieces neater, easier, and faster than ever before.
While the array of pliers can be vast, certain types are more crucial than others.
However, for beginners, the fundamental pliers to prioritize are Chain Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, and Side Cutters, with Bent Nose Pliers being a valuable addition to the toolkit.
As experience grows, expanding the toolkit to include specialized pliers for specific techniques can further enhance jewelry making capabilities.
For those starting out with a limited budget, focusing on the basics is a prudent approach, allowing for a solid foundation in jewelry making before investing in more specialized tools.
WHAT ARE JEWELRY PLIERS & HOW ARE THEY USED IN THE DESIGN CREATION PROCESS?
Jewelry making is an exciting and rewarding craft and in order to experience the true joy of making original, signature designs, it’s important to have proper hand tools.
Having basic tools of good quality will enable you to bring your unique designs to life more easily and to complete your work with exceptional precision.
Pliers are vital tool for any DIY jeweler because they are used in every stage of the creation process, from start to finish.
You can use pliers for a multitude of different tasks such as picking up and holding miniature objects, cutting pieces, shaping and wrapping wire, creating loops, opening and closing jump rings.
They are used for making earring sets, necklaces, charms, pendants, bracelets, and many other DIY projects.
TYPES OF JEWELRY PLIERS
When you have adequate equipment not only it’s easier to improve your skills but it also helps you cut down the time it takes you to make an item.
Although, at first glance, all the different types of pliers may look the same to new learners, you will soon discover that each type is used for specific tasks and has its own unique characteristics.
The following 5 types are most common among the artisans - Chain Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Side Cutters/Nippers, Bent Nose Pliers and Flat Nose Pliers.
CHAIN NOSE PLIERS
Chain Nose Pliers, also referred to as Snipe Nose Pliers, possess flat inner jaws that facilitate a secure grip, enabling the flattening of Crimps and the holding of small components such as Head Pins, and Earring Hooks with precision.
These pliers are particularly useful for tasks that require delicacy and control, such as opening small Jump Rings, bending thin gauge Wire, and grasping small beads.
Their versatility makes them an essential tool for various jewelry making applications.
The unique cross-sectional design of the jaws, featuring a flat surface where they meet and a rounded exterior, allows for precise manipulation of components.
The jaws' tapered shape, culminating in a fine point, enables the pliers to access and work effectively in tight spaces, making them perfectly suited for precision work and intricate jewelry designs.
As a great universal plier to have, chain nose pliers are a fundamental component of any jeweler's toolbox, often used in conjunction with Flat Nose Pliers to leverage their complementary functionalities.
The non-marring properties of chain nose pliers make them an ideal choice for working with wire, manipulate chain, secure wire, and bend wire without causing damage.
Furthermore, the pointed tips of chain nose pliers render them indispensable for wire wrapping projects that require precision grabbing and pulling of wire in confined areas.
Read The Blog Post: How To Open And Close A Jump Ring Correctly Here
SHOP CHAIN NOSE PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
CHAIN NOSE PLIERS VS. NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS
Chain Nose Pliers are closely related to Needle Nose Pliers.
With their pointed tips, chain nose pliers may be easily confused with needle nose pliers.
Unlike chain nose pliers, needle nose pliers have serrated ridges that can create indentations on your wire when manipulating it with the pliers.
SHOP NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
ROUND NOSE PLIERS
Round Nose Pliers are a fundamental tool for wire manipulation, specifically designed to form precise round shapes in wire, making them an indispensable asset for wire wrapping and crafting custom eye pins.
These pliers enable jewelers to wrap, hold, shape, and bend jewelry wire with precision, creating loops, coils, curves, and circles with ease.
The perfectly round jaws of round nose pliers allow for the creation of various loop sizes, ultimately contributing to a professional finish in jewelry making.
As a crucial tool for anyone crafting earrings, bracelets, or necklaces with beads, round nose pliers are essential tool for intricate jewelry designs.
The round cross-section of both jaws, tapering to a fine point at the tips, enables precise control and access to tight areas.
SHOP ROUND NOSE PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
SIDE CUTTERS/NIPPERS
These are our go-to when cutting thin wire (up to 1mm) or flexible jewelry wire such as Tiger Tail.
The tapered ends and flat blades allow it to get into tight areas, which means you can cut right up to the edge of your work and in hard to reach places minimising filing and finishing needed.
SHOP SIDE CUTTERS/NIPPERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
BENT NOSE PLIERS
Bent nose pliers are ideal for getting into and gripping hard to reach places, they can also be used for opening and closing Jump Rings and shaping Wire.
The bent angle of tips means that you can see your work without the handles getting in the way of your line of sight.
Preferred by some people over chain nose pliers because the bent jaws provide better access to tight areas.
Especially useful for “tucking in” wire ends in beads.
The cross section and taper is the same as chain nose pliers, but the jaws bend to one side.
Although not necessarily essential, we regularly reach for these as they always come in handy.
SHOP BENT NOSE PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
FLAT NOSE PLIERS
Flat Nose Pliers are distinguished by their wider surface area, rendering them exceptionally useful for grasping larger, flatter surfaces and precision-bending even, sharp angles in wire with ease.
These pliers prove versatile in their application, facilitating a range of tasks such as bending precise angles in both wire and sheet metal, securely holding small beads in place, and stabilizing bezel wire during filing operations.
Furthermore, their flat jaws, characterized by a rectangular cross-section, enable the pliers to provide a firm grip on jump rings, making them an indispensable tool for opening and closing these components.
The wider nose of the pliers contributes to their stability, allowing for smooth and controlled manipulation underscoring their value in various jewelry-making and wire-working applications.
Tip* Use in conjunction with chain nose pliers to make holding and opening your jump rings easier.
SHOP FLAT NOSE PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
SPECIALITY PLIERS
Once you improve your skills and get better at what you do, you may want to invest in a few specialty pliers.
Take a look below at some of the options.
DUAL CRIMPING PLIERS
Crimping Pliers are a specialized tool utilized to secure beads or clasps onto wire by deforming a metal crimp, thereby ensuring a reliable and durable connection.
These Dual Crimping Pliers are specifically designed to produce smooth, attractive crimps for a range of crimp bead sizes, including both round and tube shapes, thanks to their two forming cavities.
The pliers feature large and small grooved openings for folding, as well as an additional opening for rolling, allowing for versatility in crimping applications.
While other types of crimping pliers may also be used for crimping, these specialty pliers yield a superior finish, characterized by neatness and precision, making them a worthwhile investment for jewelry makers seeking high-quality results.
SHOP DUAL CRIMPING PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
WIRE LOOPING PLIERS
Wire Looping Pliers are used for looping wire or flat strips of metal.
They are a must for wire wrapping and making multi-diameter loops on Head Pins and Eye Pins.
Also called Inch Round Nose Pliers because of the cone shape of the pliers.
The carbon content of its material is 0.45 percent and is tough and hard enough to bend sheet metal or metal wire into a rounded shape.
SHOP WIRE LOOPING PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
NYLON JAW PLIERS
Nylon Jaw Pliers are a type of pliers with jaws made of nylon or other soft, non-marring materials.
They are designed to grip and shape metal wire or sheet without damaging or scratching the surface.
Nylon Jaw Pliers are commonly used in jewelry making, metalworking, and other applications where delicate or finished surfaces need to be handled.
They are particularly useful for:
- Straightening or bending wire without leaving marks
- Gripping small or intricate metal components
- Shaping or forming metal without scratching or marring the surface
- Also useful for handling anodized or enameled pieces.
The nylon jaws provide a soft, gentle grip that won't damage the material being worked on, making them an essential tool for craftspeople and artisans working with precision and delicate materials.
Tip* You can also use them to harden wire or jump rings made with softer metals like sterling silver.
Read The Blog Post: How To Work Harden Jewelry Making Wire Here
SHOP WIRE NYLON JAW PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
LOOPING PLIERS
These specialized pliers are perfectly suited for making small quantities of jump rings and for wire wrap artists.
Unlike other concave/round pliers, the jaws of these pliers are stepped instead of tapered, providing three or four constant diameters.
SHOP LOOPING PLIERS WITH BEADED CREATIONS HERE
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Although most of the time you are told to acquire high-grade tools, that may not necessarily be the case.
Sometimes, even cheaper options may do the trick and serve you as well as some expensive ones.
Another reason why you may not want to purchase expensive equipment in the beginning is because after a while you may not want to continue with this craft.
You may want to switch hobbies, so, before spending a lot of money, it’s better to wait and see how it goes down the road.
Although most of the time you are told to acquire high-grade tools, that may not necessarily be the case.
Sometimes, even cheaper options may do the trick and serve you as well as some expensive ones.
Another reason why you may not want to purchase expensive equipment in the beginning is because after a while you may not want to continue with this craft.
You may want to switch hobbies, so, before spending a lot of money, it’s better to wait and see how it goes down the road.
When choosing pliers, you should take into account several things:
TYPE AND SIZE
Pliers range in shapes and sizes from miniature to heavy duty, but the majority of tasks can be completed using light weight and medium weight pliers.
For instance, heavy weight type, as the name implies, is designed for heavy duty work such as bending metal, or closing watch pendant bows.
Flat and half-round pliers are mostly used for ring shank bending and large loops making.
There are also lots of specialty pliers like bow opening pliers, diagonal cutters, end cutters, and rosary pliers.
Think of what kind of items you will be making to determine the exact kind of tools to purchase.
MATERIAL
You shouldn’t forget to consider the material they are made of.
They are often made from hardened, tempered steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, or steel alloys.
All of these materials are durable and resistant to wear and tear, some more than others.
Stainless steel is resistant to rust but less durable than hardened tempered steel.
The latter is, however, at higher risk of rusting, so it has to be oiled regularly.
As a novice crafter, it’s best to pick stainless steel as it doesn’t rust, has good life span, and doesn’t wear quickly.
HANDLES
When you are doing detail work with hand tools, it’s imperative to find the one with the handle that fits your hand properly.
When shopping, pay attention to handle length, as although the jaws may be the same in size, handles may be of different length.
Keep in mind that longer handles cause less hand strain when working with metal.
When it comes to width, thicker handles are easier to work with than thinner ones.
COST
Although low-budget pliers found in craft stores are not meant to last, you could still use them in the beginning to practice before you perfect your skills and become ready to advance to a better pair.
To save money, introduce higher end tools slowly, as you may even be able to combine lower end tools with pricier ones.
SPRINGS
Pliers typically have some sort of spring, which serves to make the work easier on your hand.
Rather than having to repeatedly open and close the jaws, they automatically open and close as you apply pressure.
Take into account that most specialty pliers do have a spring.
COMFORT
No matter what type of work you intend to do, it’s recommended to get padded handles with ergonomic grips that comfortably fit your hand in order to avoid muscle strain.
As you are probably aware, repetitive motions can cause repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, or wrist/hand pain and inflammation.
Here’s several strategies which will help you avoid injuries:
- Good Posture - Always maintain proper body posture (sit upright, back straight, shoulders relaxed) and keep your wrist in neutral position
- Take Frequent Short Breaks - Remember to take a short break every 30 minutes or so to relieve muscle tension and rest your hands
- Stretch Your Hands - Before and after crafting sessions, stretch your hands and wrists
- Ergonomic Tools - Choose tools that are ergonomically designed to reduce risks of injuries
- Keep Your Workspace At A Comfortable Height - To minimize bending of your wrist, make sure your work surface is set to suitable height.
CLEANING AND CARING TIPS
To ensure your equipment remains functional for long time, you have to properly maintain it on a regular basis.
Clean your pliers regularly with soft cloth to remove residues, and introduce rust inhibitor sprays to prevent rust.
SEVERAL KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER:
- Cleaning - After each use, remove dirt and debris using clean piece of cloth.
- Treatment Against Rust - Apply anti-rust spray or a small amount of oil to the jaws. This is particularly important step if they are made of carbon steel.
- Storing - Store in a dry, moisture-free environment to prevent rusting.
- Proper Use - Avoid using them on hard surfaces which can deform and damage the jaws.