🔧 The 6 Pliers we use the most in the studio

Mostjewellerymaking involves shaping,bending, opening jump rings,creating loops, and holdingsmall components.This is where pliers come in—theyareyourthird hand,but much moreaccurate.Pliers are not allmadethesameway! Each typehas aspecificfunction in yourtoolbox.

Here is alist of the mostpopular types of jewellery pliers andwhy you would want to use them: 

1. Chain Nose Pliers

Chain nose pliers are used for gripping, bending, opening/closing a jumpring, wirework

• They have flat jaws thattaperattheend (not sharp).
• Good for getting into tight spaces.
• The jawsaresmooth and shouldn't mar your metal (trustme-thisis important, especially with softer wire).

FunFact: Youwill most likely use these pliers more than anyothers!

2. Round Nose Pliers

Round nose pliers are used formaking loops, curves, jump rings, spirals

• Both jaws are round and taper from the base to the tip.
• Best forcreatingconsistentloopsandwirewrapping.
• Youwillbe using these pliers to make the curled ends on earring hooks, eye pins or coil embellishments.

ProTip:Ifyoumake the same size loops, use a permanent marker tomark thejawofthepliers, so you know where to sit the metal to create consistent sizes every time.

3. Flat Nose Pliers

Flat nose pliers are used for gripping flat surfaces, making sharp bends, holding while you work

• The jaws arewide and flat; good forcreatingsharpangles in wire or sheet.
• They can provide a stronghold withoutanythingslipping (ifthejawsaresmooth).

Ifyouaregoingtoopen/closeajumpring,usetwoflat nose pliers or a flat nose plier and a chain nose plier for better control.

4. Half-round/Flat Pliers

Half round/Flat Pliers are used for bending wire like earring hooks and rings. 

• One side of these pliers is rounded and the other side if flat.

Tip: Always make sure sure the half-round (curved) side of the pliers is on the inside of the wire you are trying to bend. 

5. Cutters (Side or Flush Cut Pliers)

Side or flush cuttersare used for cutting wireaccurately andflush.

• Flush cutters will create a flat side of the cut (important for a neat professionalfinish)

Donotcut memory wire or steel with these tools unless they are heavyduty! We use our pliers to cut wire up to 1.5mm in diameter. 

6. Ring Bending Pliers

Ring bending pliers are used for bending flat sheet and wire up to 15mm wide.

• We line these with masking tape to protect the metal from marking. This enables us to also bend half-round, oval and round wire. 

Tip: Bend finer wire with the Half-round/Flat Pliers and larger/thicker wire with the Ring Bending Pliers.

Optional Extras (but nice to have) 

• Crimping Pliers- for crimp beads when using beading inyour jewellery
• Looping Pliers- for making consistent loops withoutguessing
• Split Ring Pliers-opens split ringswithoutissues
• Bent Nose Pliers -Used for:getting intohardtoreachareas, holding components, wire wrapping
• Nylon Jaw Pliers -Used for: straightening wire without scratching it

🛠 Are You Ready to Build Your Toolkit?

Begin with chain nose, round nose, flat nose, half-round/flat pliers and flush cutters—these are also available in a discounted plierkitandwillallowyou to complete the majority of projects.

At Pod Jewellery we stock a range of high-quality jewellery pliers, so you can buildthe collection of tools you want, with confidence.