Non Marring Tools
Wherever we are on our jewelry making journey, most of us have a need for tools that do not easily mar metal. There are work-arounds, but it is so much easier to use tools specifically made for the job we are doing.
Using non-marring tools means fewer scratches, dings, and gouges in your metalwork. When they are kept on your work surface, you will find yourself reaching for them again and again.
Using non-marring tools means fewer scratches, dings, and gouges in your metalwork. When they are kept on your work surface, you will find yourself reaching for them again and again.
Soft jaw flat nose pliers are essential for bead, wire, and metal artists and are found in almost every jeweler's toolbox.
Pulling bent wire between the closed jaws quickly straightens it without scratching or damaging the metal.
Nylon jaw pliers, like those in the first photo, are a must-have for wireworkers. When the jaws wear out, they are easily replaceable.
The pliers in the second photo are inexpensive hobby store versions with non-replaceable plastic jaws. These often fall off and need gluing.
The plastic jaws are hard but gouge easily and aren't as forgiving as nylon. However, their wider jaws are useful for opening and closing large or heavy gauge jump rings.
Both types of nylon or plastic jaws can be lightly filed to smooth the surface if needed.
Pulling bent wire between the closed jaws quickly straightens it without scratching or damaging the metal.
Nylon jaw pliers, like those in the first photo, are a must-have for wireworkers. When the jaws wear out, they are easily replaceable.
The pliers in the second photo are inexpensive hobby store versions with non-replaceable plastic jaws. These often fall off and need gluing.
The plastic jaws are hard but gouge easily and aren't as forgiving as nylon. However, their wider jaws are useful for opening and closing large or heavy gauge jump rings.
Both types of nylon or plastic jaws can be lightly filed to smooth the surface if needed.
Soft jaw round nose pliers come in two sizes and feature replaceable cone jaws that screw into the metal jaws.
Because the soft jaws are slightly slippery, you'll need a firmer grip to hold an item securely.
The plastic tips extend beyond the metal ones and can be damaged easily, so handle them with care.
These nylon jaws are already bent and gouged, and they're nearly due for replacement.
Because the soft jaws are slightly slippery, you'll need a firmer grip to hold an item securely.
The plastic tips extend beyond the metal ones and can be damaged easily, so handle them with care.
These nylon jaws are already bent and gouged, and they're nearly due for replacement.
Sometimes my fingers can't make the curve or bend I want in a wire or metal piece because it's too heavy.
That's when these indispensable pliers come in handy.
From left to right: nylon jaw deep bending pliers, nylon jaw ring bending pliers, and nylon jaw bracelet bending pliers.
That's when these indispensable pliers come in handy.
From left to right: nylon jaw deep bending pliers, nylon jaw ring bending pliers, and nylon jaw bracelet bending pliers.
When I saw this ring bending pliers with a nylon "V" groove side, I knew it would make closing ring band seams much faster.
The metal jaw presses the ring shank down into the "V" from the inside, so any outside texture stays untouched.
Like any tool, it took some practice to get used to, but now it's the only one I use for wider or thicker ring bands.
The metal jaw presses the ring shank down into the "V" from the inside, so any outside texture stays untouched.
Like any tool, it took some practice to get used to, but now it's the only one I use for wider or thicker ring bands.
As with the ring bending pliers, these small and large multi-size Wrap N Tap pliers have one metal jaw and one plastic covered one.
They are wonderful for making jump rings, bails, curves, you name it, without damaging wire or metal.
They are wonderful for making jump rings, bails, curves, you name it, without damaging wire or metal.
Any pliers can become non-marring by covering the jaws and edges with electrical tape, painter's tape, or by dipping them into Tool Magic a removable rubber coating that dries in about three hours.
These coverings must be removed if you want to use the pliers in their original state.
Keep several sizes of plastic tubing on hand to slip over the jaws, and you'll have non-marring pliers that can quickly convert back to metal ones.
These coverings must be removed if you want to use the pliers in their original state.
Keep several sizes of plastic tubing on hand to slip over the jaws, and you'll have non-marring pliers that can quickly convert back to metal ones.
There are a multitude of non-marring hammers on the market.
Rawhide mallets, dual-faced nylon and rubber mallets, and domed face hammers are just a few.
Rawhide mallets, dual-faced nylon and rubber mallets, and domed face hammers are just a few.
The hammers can be used with rubber blocks, or a bench block helper with both a steel and a nylon block insert.
Working on softer surfaces translates to less damage to wire and sheet metal.
Working on softer surfaces translates to less damage to wire and sheet metal.
When shaping of textured metal or wire woven pieces is desired, a wood dapping block and wood punches are nice to have.
My wood dapping cube came with two punches I rarely use.
The graduated nylon punch set fits my needs. These tools make it so much easier to avoid damaging any texture on metal.
Used with a gentle hand, they can also be used with wirework.
My wood dapping cube came with two punches I rarely use.
The graduated nylon punch set fits my needs. These tools make it so much easier to avoid damaging any texture on metal.
Used with a gentle hand, they can also be used with wirework.
Wood and nylon punch handles can be tapped into textured metal pieces placed in the grooves a Whaley swage block without damaging the texture.
The jumbo wood dapping punches and large dapping block can be used when making gently curved pieces with textured metal.
Materials
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Tools
5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws
G2-1
- G2-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $9.97
- Gold Club Price: $7.48
4x4 Inch Rubber Block
G17-12
- G17-12
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $8.95
- Gold Club Price: $6.71
8 Piece Nylon Punch Set
DAP-748.00
- DAP-748.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $19.97
- Gold Club Price: $14.98
Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
- DAP-500.30
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $29.95
- Gold Club Price: $22.46
Domed Face Nylon Hammer
HAM-394.00
- HAM-394.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $15.95
- Gold Club Price: $11.96
Nylon Bracelet Bending Plier
PLR-840.00
- PLR-840.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $19.97
- Gold Club Price: $14.98
Round/Flat Nose Nylon Pliers with Single Nylon Jaw
PLR-846.00
- PLR-846.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $13.97
- Gold Club Price: $10.48
Round Nose Nylon Tipped Pliers--Small
PLR-827.00
- PLR-827.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $8.97
- Gold Club Price: $6.73
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- Category: Tools
- Technique(s): Tools
Judy Larson
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