Get to Know Your Hand Tools Looping and Mandrel

What to look for when buying loopers:

As with any pliers, look for sturdy construction, ergonomic handles, and hardened steel jaws. If I intend to hammer-harden the coiled wire on the plier jaws, I also prefer a box-joint construction. I am also pretty particular about plier grips, and choose latex-free whenever possible.

Tips

My favorite use of looping pliers is creating custom jump rings. For double fun, I texture wire first, then anneal and pickle it, and then create my jump rings. Nothing says custom jewelry more than hand-textured, hand-fabricated jump rings.

I try to purchase a range of sizes restricted to one shape rather than different shapes of the same size. The reason is the ability to create a graduated series of loops for making graduated chains.

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to put a drop of light sewing machine oil on the joints of you pliers to keep the action smooth and the joint rust free. Take care of your tools, and they will take care of you.