Guide to Pliers - the Essential Jewellery Making Tool

Of all the jewellery tools available, pliers are possible the most frequently used. There is now an almost bewildering range of pliers available to the jeweller, all with their own character, and use. This article reviews the most popular types of jewellery making pliers.

Round Nose pliers
Round nose pliers have round tapered jaws and are ideal for shaping wire into loops curves and bends, and are probably most often used for making circles or jump rings.

Half Round or Ring Pliers
Half round pliers are commonly used for working with rings, bending wire/sheet into a circle without leaving marks. The flat jaw enables the jeweller to hold the outside of the curve whilst the D shape jaw is used to form the curve on the inside.

Snipe Nose or Chain Nose Pliers
Snipe or Chain nose pliers are ideal for those detailed jobs. The flat tapered jaws means they are perfect for manoeuvring pieces into place, attaching jump rings, and fine wire work. For those who are keen beaders snipe nose pliers can also be used for closing crimps and attaching bead caps. In addition Snipe Nose pliers are ideal for making angled bends.

Flat nose pliers
Flat nosed pliers are available in a range of sizes and are used to bend sharp corners in wire and sheet, plus are ideal for holding items flat, straightening wire and can be used to open and close jump rings.

Crimping Pliers
Crimping pliers are designed specifically for securing crimp beads. Some jewellers will simply use a pair of snipe or flat-nosed pliers to flatten & close the bead. However crimping pliers make this job easier and give a more professional, smooth and unobtrusive finish.

Side Cutters / Top Cutters
Side cutters & top cutters are used for cutting wire and sheet in restricted areas.

Split Ring Pliers
These pliers are used to open split rings easily and quickly. Simply place the bent nose in the centre of the ring and add pressure. The split ring will then easily slide apart.

Parallel-Action Pliers
The unique box joint on the pliers keep the jaws parallel as they open and close. Parallel pliers are ideal for all forming work e.g. straightening sheet and thick wire. Choose parallel-action pliers when you need to hold an object securely whilst applying pressure.

As with all jewellery tools, your range of pliers will increase as your skills and the techniques you tackle progress. When choosing pliers consider you get what you pay for if you buy the right jewellery making tools then they will last you for life time- consider brand names or buying from a specialist jewellery tools supplier.

Adam Hunter - E-commerce Marketing Manager of cooksongold.com. Cookson Precious Metals offer a choice of jewellery making supplies from over 10,000 products including gold and silver solder, jewellery making tools, precious metal clay and gold and silver sheet - gold, silver, platinum and palladium plus technical information for jewellers, jobbers, designer, craftsmen, artisans and students.

Contacts
Adam Hunter
E-commerce Marketing Manager
Tel(DDI): +44 (0) 121 212 6491
E-mail: adam.hunter@cooksongold.com