Thursday, October 11, 2012

Necessary Items For Jewelry Making

By Rod Buchanon


When jewelry making, it is important to ensure that all the necessary tools are present before embarking on a project. Having the right tools can save a lot of time, helping the individual to work efficiently and precisely. While there are a range of fancy tools and gadgets that can be used to create a number different styles and effects, having a few key tools will work just as well to produce the same effects with a little practice.

The very first tool on your list should be some pliers. A set of pliers is absolutely necessary if you plan on getting anywhere at all. Don't go looking for the kind of pliers you would find in a man's toolbox, however! Pliers for jewelry making are small and lightweight, often non-serrated so that they don't do any damage to the wires you would be using.

Flat nose pliers are the most fundamental of all pliers. They are also called chain nose pliers. They are used for a variety of techniques and applications when making pieces that use beads and wire. The jaws of these pliers are shaped like a beak, which is able to bend and straighten wire, close jump rings, or simply keep things steady as you work.

Round nose pliers are different in that their jaws are shaped conically. They are wider at the base and narrower at the tip. These pliers have no grooves, to facilitate the gentle handling of metals and wire. They can be used to make loops of varying sizes, and can also open and close small metal rings known as jump rings.

Other pliers include wire looping pliers, crimping pliers and nylon tipped pliers, which are specially created to use with softer materials so that they don't get scratched or damaged during handling. Wire looping pliers make looping quick and easy. Crimping pliers are used to close crimp beads into neat, flat beds.

When dealing with wire, cutters are also very necessary. Decide between the bevel cutter or the flush cutter, the second of which is more expensive. The bevel cutter cuts at an angle, often requiring filing in order to properly finish. However, flush cutters cut through wire to leave a flat surface.

When cutters leave a rough edge or tip, you need to file it down for a good finish. For this, you will need to purchase a file. Luckily, they come in packs containing various sizes to suit your every project need.

Also in your set of jewelry making tools, you will need to have some needles, some thread for beading and a good pair of tweezers for doing the finer work. You can use special wire in place of thread. You will also find it most helpful to have different types of glue on hand, as glue often comes in handy somewhere along the way.




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