Using Magical Crimping Pliers
by Judy Larson
Crimp tubes are used to secure beading wire ends. Traditionally, we "smile, flatten, and fold" the crimp tube to secure the wire. This flat rectangle of metal is a bit unsightly, so then it is covered with a crimp cover. Crimp covers are hard to close well and the seam always shows. Enter the Magical Crimping Pliers-and they really are MAGIC! The tiny beads created with these pliers add a beautiful professional looking finishing touch to the end of bead strands.
Instructions
Crimping a Bead
There is a half-bead round depression in each jaw of the magical crimping pliers. There is a trough on each side of the impression for the beading wire, first photo. The crimp tube on the wire should be centered in the depression, second photo, NOT at an angle-third photo.
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - Crimping a Bead, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - Crimping a Bead, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - Crimping a Bead, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
How to Crimp a Tube
There are some basics to remember when using Magical Crimping Pliers. First, 2x2mm crimp tubes are used. Second, only .018", .019", and .024" beading wire can be used with the pliers. And third, there MUST be a wire tail tucked into the beads below the crimp. A traditional crimp tube is flattened, hugging the wire the full 2mm length. The bead created with the Magical Crimping Pliers grabs the beading wire where it enters and exits the tube, not in the center. Without a wire tail, the beading wire could more easily be pulled out of the crimped bead, which happened to some pearls I strung for my young rambunctious granddaughter. I drilled larger holes in three pearls on each end of the strand and remade the necklace. It is still going strong.
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - How to Crimp a Tube, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
To show how to crimp the tube, a silver tube was placed on a piece of 20 gauge copper wire.

First: Crimp the tube with the plier jaws. There will be a little flattened triangle on each corner of the tube.
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Second: Rotate the crimp tube 90 degrees in the plier jaws. Crimp. Again, there will be little flattened triangles on the corners. Notice that the corners from the first crimp are pressed into the tube.
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Third: Rotate the crimp tube in the plier jaws about 30 degrees. Crimp. The little triangle corners should now be pressed into the tube and a bead shape will be forming. Continue to crimp around the crimp tube in this manner until a round bead forms.
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Slide the crimp tube onto the beading wire. Add a closure or decorative element. Thread the beading wire back through the tube and the first three or so beads. If the beading wire does not fit, the beads need to be switched out or drilled with larger holes. Just as with the "smile, fold, flatten" crimp bead method, do not pull the wire loop so tightly that it will not move freely on the closure or decorative element.
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Place the crimp tube in the well of the jaw of the Magical Crimping Pliers. Crimp, turn, crimp, turn, crimp, turn....(several seed bead strands will be gathered together and a round toothpick helped make the perfect size loops). Trim the excess beading wire below the third bead.
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers
Judy Larson's Using Magical Crimping Pliers - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Beads, Tools, using magical crimping pliers

Materials

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Tools

4-1/2 Inch Magical Crimping Pliers for Bead forming - Pack of 1
G16-36
  • G16-36
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.96
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  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Beading, Tools