Bailmaking Pliers: The Perfect Tool for the Job

Bailmaking Pliers: The Perfect Tool for the Job

Roundnose pliers are typically meant for small loops suitable for earrings, rosary bracelets, and other pieces with small connecting loops.

What if you want a larger loop, such as a loop large enough to act as a bail on a pendant stone?

Try using bailmaking pliers.

I know of three sizes of bail-making pliers – 7mm/9mm cylindrical jaws, 3mm/5mm cylindrical jaws and 1.5mm/3mm cylindrical jaws.  (The 7mm/9mm pliers are shown on the left and the 3mm/5mm pliers shown on the right.  The 1.5mm/3mm pliers are not pictured.)  The  Bailmaking pliers have two cylindrical jaws rather than the tapered jaws of roundnose pliers.

The second advantage of bail-making pliers is regularity in your wire loop size.  The round nose pliers have tapered cones, which means the wire can slip.  With the cylindrical jaws, the loops you make should be the same size no matter where on the jaws you make the loops.

That's it for today's jewelry making tool tip.

Paul
www.OhioBeads.com

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