Beading Tools
Below are explanations of some common tools used for beading.
4-in-1 Tool
4-in-1 tool: This handy tool combines all the tools a beginner beader needs to make beautiful jewelry on the go.
Anatomy of the 4-in-1 Tool
- Round nose: The round nose on this tool can do a lot. You can use it to flatten crimps, turn loops and bend wire, or to just hold on to your project while you work.
- Loop closer: This handy tool is for loops and especially jump rings that don’t seem to want to close. Place your loop or ring in the grooves, making sure the opening is pointed out, and apply gentle pressure.
- Flat area: This area is great for flattening wire kinks or crimps. Just watch for the cutter; you don’t want to accidentally cut your project!
- Cutter: This cutter will cut through beading wire, pins and wire with ease. To keep your tool sharp longer, cut all of your wire and pins toward the bottom of the cutter where you have more leverage, and cut all of your beading wire toward the top.
Crimping Pliers
Crimping pliers are for what their name implies -- crimping. The back slot puts a seam in the middle of the crimp tube, separating the ends of the flex wire and trapping it firmly. The front slot rounds out the tube and turns it into a small, tidy bead.
Chain-nose Pliers
Chain-nose pliers are one of the most useful tools in beading. They are used for holding, opening and closing jump rings, and bending pins or wires to make sharp angles.
Round-nose Pliers
Round-nose pliers are intended for turning round loops. They do not work well for holding or grasping since they can leave a small dent.
Flat-nose Pliers
Flat-nose pliers are great for wire. They are excellent for turning sharp corners, holding items, and opening and closing jump rings.
Wire Flush Cutters
Wire flush cutters leave one flat side and one pointed side on each cut. Using flush cutters is especially important when working with heavy gauges of wire (20-gauge or lower). One side of the cutter is flat and the other is indented.
Nylon-jaw Pliers
Nylon-jaw pliers can be used to harden or straighten wire.
Side-cutting Pliers
Side-cutting pliers have angled jaws that give a close cut.
Jeweler's Hammers
Jeweler’s hammers have fine, smooth curved heads to leave a clean impression. The round peen side works well for texturing wire and sheet metal.
Bench Block
A bench block is a flat, smooth piece of hardened steel. Hammering a piece of wire on top of a bench block flattens out and hardens the wire. Bench blocks are also used for stamping metal to get a clean impression.
