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How to Keep Your Pliers in Top Condition
Your Pliers are one of the hardest working tools at your jewellery design bench. Whether you're making delicate wire wraps or doing something heavy-duty, like shaping metal, your pliers are always being used — and they deserve some attention in return!
Properly including your pliers not only keeps them in shape longer, but your jewellery making will go that much smoother, and you will enjoy yourself more. Here is how to keep them in great condition:
1. Clean them regularly
It's one of those things you forget when you're working and creating, your pliers get dirty - polishing compound, metal dust, oils, and sometimes even little bits of solder end up on your pliers. Wipe your pliers with a soft cloth after you use them. For a more thorough clean, use a damp cloth or soft brush with a drop of mild dish soap, but be sure to dry them thoroughly afterwards.
2. Don't let them rust
Moisture is your tool's worst enemy. So, don't store your pliers where moisture is present. Don't leave them on a damp workbench, near your pickle or ultrasonic machine. If you live in a humid environment such as Queensland, having a small container of silica gel or absorbent sachets in your tool drawer, isn't a bad idea at all. We use Damp Rid, which is available at any most supermarkets.
3. Oil the jaws
If your pliers feel slightly stiff or are squeaking when you use them, a small drop of light machine oil (like sewing machine oil or WD-40) can really help. Just remember to remove any excess oil so it doesn’t get onto your metal or wire.
4. Don’t use them on the wrong materials
Keep in mind, jewellery pliers are for jewellery jobs, not hardware store jobs. Don't use them to cut heavy gauge steel wire, open jars or twist plumbing fittings. You risk damaging the jaws, nicking the cutting edges or throwing out the alignment.
5. Store them properly
Throwing your pliers into a drawer where they bang up against each other does them no favours. A bench rack, magnetic rack, or designated plier case or tool roll can help you store them neatly as well as help protect the jaws from dents and scratches.
💡 TIP: Smooth-jawed pliers have a tendency to get nicks — if they get scratched, they can mark your metal!
6. Polish the jaws from time to time
If you start to see a mark on your wire or sheet metal, your pliers jaws might just need a polish! A little fine-grit emery paper(also, known as wet and dry sandpaper) in a 1200, 1500 or 2500 grit, or polishing paper will sand/polish out small nicks and bumps. However, proceed slowly, as you don't want to change the shape of your tool.
7. Know when to throw them away
If your pliers are not effective and are damaged beyond repair, they may also be causing you more frustration than value, it's time to replace them. A good quality pair of pliers should last for years.
Time to love your pliers 💕
Just as you care for your jewellery creations, your tools need care and consideration too. Taking a little time to care for them, will enable you to keep your pliers in good condition which will hopefully enable them to do their job better and make every studio session enjoyable.
If you are looking for a new favourite pair, we have a selection of top-quality pliers that are comfortable, durable and made for jewellers.