Tool Tip - Enlarging Bead Holes to Fit Your Wire
by Kylie Jones
Sometimes, the perfect bead for the design you're working on, just doesn't fit on the wire you're using. Here's how to remedy that.
Instructions
If I need to enlarge bead holes to fit a specific size of wire I use tiny drill bits fitted into a pin vise. Drill bits come in a variety of sizes so you can match them to the wire size you are using.

This is a gentle process as softer stones, like pearl, can have small chips come off and harder stones can be brittle and may have small inclusions or tiny cracks that will break off at the hole if care isn't taken. If you need to remove a lot of material to get to the right hole size use a diamond coated bead reamer first as diamond coated steel is designed to grind down stone and is more effective than a standard drill bit. Diamond coated drill bits are another option you may want to try.
Kylie Jones's Tool Tip - Enlarging Bead Holes to Fit Your Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, enlarging bead holes
I don't use a bead reamer or drill bit all the way through a hole, I go from each end to just past the middle of the hole as the edge of the hole on the exit or back side of the bead is liable to chip off and ruin the hole.
Dipping the bead in a small container of water keeps the dust from becoming airborne and also helps the material come out of the hole. Steel tools need to be dried well after using with water otherwise rust will develop on the tool.
Kylie Jones's Tool Tip - Enlarging Bead Holes to Fit Your Wire - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, enlarging bead holes

Materials

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Tools

Bead Reamers - 2 Piece Set
G16-9
  • G16-9
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.23
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Cordless Bead Reamer
HDP-380.00
  • HDP-380.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Deluxe Bead Reamer Set
DIB-275.00
  • DIB-275.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.57
  • Gold Club Price: $11.68
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Diamond Tip Bead Reamer with Padded Handle - Pack of 1 (colors may vary)
G16-50
  • G16-50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $5.95
  • Gold Club Price: $4.46
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12 pc Drill Set
DRL-245.12
  • DRL-245.12
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.21
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  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Tools