Ultimate Jewelry Tool Shopping List
Question:
Dale, I am sending my husband out the door with my Christmas list (yes, a Christmas list)! I want my jewelry making tools. I am learning how to wire wrap. I have already learned the basic for stringing, but what would you suggest for my first set of tools for making different kinds of jewelry? I'm not just a stringer or a wrapper, I'm just a "I want to make whatever inspires me at the moment" kind of gal. Thanks for all you and your people do for the rest of us.
-Evelyn in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey
Dale, I am sending my husband out the door with my Christmas list (yes, a Christmas list)! I want my jewelry making tools. I am learning how to wire wrap. I have already learned the basic for stringing, but what would you suggest for my first set of tools for making different kinds of jewelry? I'm not just a stringer or a wrapper, I'm just a "I want to make whatever inspires me at the moment" kind of gal. Thanks for all you and your people do for the rest of us.
-Evelyn in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey
Instructions
Answer:
You are welcome, Evelyn, and Merry Christmas to you!
There are many different jewelry-making styles, and while they share several common tools, each technique often requires specific tools as well.
Let's take a look at just a few of your options.
You are welcome, Evelyn, and Merry Christmas to you!
There are many different jewelry-making styles, and while they share several common tools, each technique often requires specific tools as well.
Let's take a look at just a few of your options.
Crimping pliers commonly used by beaders, can also help wire wrappers tuck in the end of a wrapped loop.
Chain maille artists often use two pairs of wide-tip chain nose pliers for better grip and control.
Wire wrappers typically need just one pair, along with a pair of needle nose chain nose pliers for making tiny loops at wire ends.
Chain maille artists often use two pairs of wide-tip chain nose pliers for better grip and control.
Wire wrappers typically need just one pair, along with a pair of needle nose chain nose pliers for making tiny loops at wire ends.
People who work with round wire can use almost any flat nose pliers.
However, wire wrappers who use square wire need pliers with perfectly flat, angled jaws no dips or bulges.
Some prefer pliers with extra cushion on the handles, while others (like me) find the bulk harder to grip over time.
Longer handles can reduce hand and wrist strain, in my opinion.
A good spring hinge is essential pliers should open on their own to reduce hand fatigue.
However, wire wrappers who use square wire need pliers with perfectly flat, angled jaws no dips or bulges.
Some prefer pliers with extra cushion on the handles, while others (like me) find the bulk harder to grip over time.
Longer handles can reduce hand and wrist strain, in my opinion.
A good spring hinge is essential pliers should open on their own to reduce hand fatigue.
About everyone can use a nice set of fine diamond files and/or an Arkenstone to remove sharp ends and burrs (then again an emery board works well too, even on metal clays), and we all need a good pair of wire cutters as well as a pair of small nippers for tight spots.
Then there are mandrels. Almost all jewelry makers need a neck mandrel, a worthwhile investment! As for ring mandrels, we had a good discussion on these a few weeks ago:
Ring Mandrels 101, and a ring sizer that matches the mandrel!
Depending on what style of bracelet you want to make, some folks like to use a steel bracelet mandrel.
For projects that incorporate beads and stones into the design (that don't do well while forging on a steel mandrel) you can a use plastic bottles and shape by hand.
Ring Mandrels 101, and a ring sizer that matches the mandrel!
Depending on what style of bracelet you want to make, some folks like to use a steel bracelet mandrel.
For projects that incorporate beads and stones into the design (that don't do well while forging on a steel mandrel) you can a use plastic bottles and shape by hand.
Mandrels usually require that an item be beaten on it or forged, so a mallet is necessary.
I like a medium had rawhide mallet, but lots of folks like using a nylon one.
I like a medium had rawhide mallet, but lots of folks like using a nylon one.
Forging is used in lots of jewelry making styles, so a basic chasing hammer and bench block should be on your list too.
And if you want to get into more metal smithing, a dapping block will be useful along with a jeweler's saw and diamond blades.
And if you want to get into more metal smithing, a dapping block will be useful along with a jeweler's saw and diamond blades.
A set of carat scales is indispensable if you are working with gemstones, and a ruler is a must for all of us! I prefer a plastic, transparent ruler so I can also use it for quick measurements on stones.
Again, if you want to work with gemstones, a caliper is very handy.
(I can't live without my digital one!) And I can't forget - a good pair of Optivisors not only helps you to see tiny details, but is also protection for your eyes.
Again, if you want to work with gemstones, a caliper is very handy.
(I can't live without my digital one!) And I can't forget - a good pair of Optivisors not only helps you to see tiny details, but is also protection for your eyes.
Wire-Jewerly has several tool sets available. As you are looking for universal but 'good' tools, here is my opinion on our tool sets:
New additions since first published
I hope your husband has his credit card with him when he goes shopping!
With the following list, you will have plenty of tools to make almost anything (and if you are like most of us, you will still be buying tools).
With the following list, you will have plenty of tools to make almost anything (and if you are like most of us, you will still be buying tools).
Jeweler's pliers:
Chain nose pliers
Needle chain nose pliers
Flat nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Other Tools:
Pin vise
3-step round flat pliers
3-step square pliers
Wire cutters and nippers
Carat scale
Caliper
Ruler
Ring mandrel and matching sizer
Bracelet mandrel
Neck mandrel
Mallet (rawhide or nylon)
Chasing hammer and bench block
Diamond files and/or Arkenstone
Optivisors
Dapping Block
Jeweler's saw and diamond blades
Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Materials
No materials listed
Tools
Premium Wire Jewelry Tool Kit
Y4-1
- Y4-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $99.97
- Gold Club Price: $74.98
Professional Wire Artist Tool Kit
g15-2
- g15-2
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $199.95
- Gold Club Price: $149.96
Starving Artist Tool Kit
G15-3A
- G15-3A
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $22.97
- Gold Club Price: $17.23
WireJewelry - Essentials Jewelry Pliers Set with Case, Set of 5
G15-21
- G15-21
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $124.95
- Gold Club Price: $93.71
LINDSTROM EX KIT- 4PC
PLR-7000EX
- PLR-7000EX
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $276.89
- Gold Club Price: $207.67
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
Wire Rounder Set, 3 pieces
G14-20
- G14-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $13.95
- Gold Club Price: $10.46
Double Ended Pin Vise
G5-4
- G5-4
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.97
- Gold Club Price: $2.98
3 Step Square Pliers
G2-505
- G2-505
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $37.95
- Gold Club Price: $28.46
6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
- G2-503
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $14.95
- Gold Club Price: $11.21
C.H.P Milano Angled Flush Cutter, 5-1/4 Inches
PLR-489.00
- PLR-489.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $21.95
- Gold Club Price: $16.46
C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
- PLR-487.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $16.97
- Gold Club Price: $12.73
Electronic Caliper
G7-37
- G7-37
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $30.97
- Gold Club Price: $23.23
12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler
G7-30
- G7-30
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.97
- Gold Club Price: $2.23
360 Degree Mandrel Vise with Mandrel
G7-11
- G7-11
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $43.95
- Gold Club Price: $32.96
Metal Ring Sizer - Finger Sizer
G7-4
- G7-4
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $15.57
- Gold Club Price: $11.68
Steel Oval Smooth Bracelet Mandrel
G7-20
- G7-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $39.95
- Gold Club Price: $29.96
Polished Cast Iron Neck Mandrel
G7-12
- G7-12
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $99.95
- Gold Club Price: $74.96
Weighted Rawhide Mallet
HAM-408.00
- HAM-408.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $79.95
- Gold Club Price: $59.96
Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face
G3-27
- G3-27
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $13.95
- Gold Club Price: $10.46
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
10 Piece Diamond Needle Files - 140mm X 3mm
G14-8
- G14-8
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $13.57
- Gold Club Price: $10.18
Optivisor with 1.75 Lens
G6-20
- G6-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $70.95
- Gold Club Price: $53.21
Jewelers Saw with Adjustable Frame without Blade
G18-3
- G18-3
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $12.97
- Gold Club Price: $9.73
144 Piece Saw Blades - Pack of 1 Set
G18-2
- G18-2
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $9.95
- Gold Club Price: $7.46
Supply Detail
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- Category: Tools
- Technique(s): Tools
Dale Armstrong
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