Video:How to Use Crimping Pliers

Transcript:How to Use Crimping Pliers

Hi, I'm Esther Esses. Vice President of the bead society of greater New York. I'm here for about.com and I'm going to show you how to use crimping pliers.

What Are Crimping Pliers?

Crimping pliers are basically the same. The only real difference is the size of the crimps. For instance, this is the micro crimper, which is one by one, medium size uses 2x2 and the mighty crimper uses 3x3, this is for the thicker wire and the larger crimps. And the magical crimper, which just has the one groove and it make the crimp bead rounded.

Crimp Beads

Crimp beads are usually a tubular bead and they come in various sizes. If you're using a heavy wire or heavy beads you would use a larger crimp and of course if you're using a much lighter weight you would use the appropriate size crimp. The size crimp bead that you use depends on the thickness of the wire that you use. And some companies will list the proper size crimp to use on their packaging.

Instructions for Using Crimping Pliers

First I'm going to cut my wire and as with any tool use it carefully. I take my wire put it through the clasp put the crimp bead on. I then take the other part of the wire and bring it back through the crimp bead as close as I can to the clasp without having t flush against it because you need to have a little room for movement. I then take my larger crimper, place it in the center groove and give it a squeeze. I then turn it and put it through the first groove closest to the tip. And there I have my crimp. If it's not as rounded as you like, you could do it perhaps one more time using the first groove but don't over-do it because these are not indestructible. These are just a couple of tips on how to use crimp and crimping pliers.

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