The Language of Pliers

I had no idea before getting into jewelry making what men got so excited about when it came to tools. Now I do.

WHAT TOOLS ARE MADE OF

The first thing to consider about buying pliers is their composition. Ideally, you'd like them to be made of high-carbon, high-chrome alloy steel. This means in laywoman's language - they keep their shape and won't be gouged during normal use.

Hardened tool steel is a very hard strong material for pliers and the same as above with normal use applies. These pliers may rust in humidity and it's best to coat them to protect them. A simple product like WD-40 will help stop rust.

Stainless steel is unable to be made into shapes to form pliers. They may be poured and it's a tough metal that gives reasonable life. It's rust resistent, and the jaws may require maintenance with use.

How are they made?
Some pliers are forged where a rod of tool steel is forced into shape to form each half of the plier. Compression and bending are done in the forging process and the metal becomes work hardened. Tempering metal prevents brittleness. This process creates a good combination of stength and durability.

Casting pliers is taking molten metal and pouring it into a mold to form each half of the plier. No work hardening takes place and the results are not tempered.

Handles can affect performance
Using a plier takes 42 muscles in your hand. The more the tool fits to the shape of your hand, the more comfortable and effective the tool is. And it equals less chance of suffereing repetitive motion injuries.

The handle coverings may enhance comfort and grip. Foam handles are heated sleeves slipped over the handle and allowed to cool, while coated handles are set, after being dipped into liquid plastic to coat them.

TYPE AND FUNCTION

Round Nose
Tapering from the pivot point to the tip, both jaws are round.
Uses: make loops, eye pins, clasps and jump rings, flat crimping closing bead tips and making angled bends.

Chain Nose
Both jaws are semi-round, with flat surfaces where they meet, tapering to a point from the pivot to the tip.
Uses: forming loops, opening and losing jump rings, flat crimping, closing bead tips and making angled bends.

Flat Nose
Jaws are flat.

Uses: metal forming, broader bends in wire, holding components, and angled bends in wire.

More tool information to come soon! Let us know if this information is helpful.