Pliers

The basic trio

The round pliers have two conical jaws. It is used exclusively to form regular loops at the end of a headed nail or a wire. The closer you are to the tip, the smaller the loop - mark with a marker the place which gives the diameter you use most often, your loops will all be identical.

The flat pliers have straight, smooth jaws. She holds a coin, opens and closes a ring, flattens one end. Check that its jaws are smooth and not streaked: streaks will mark the metal of your primers.

The cutting pliers cut wire, nails and chains. A close-cut model leaves a clean end that does not itch when worn.

Opening a ring without deforming it

This is the most important gesture, and the one that everyone misses at the beginning. A ring never opens by spreading the two ends : it loses its roundness and will no longer close correctly.

Grasp it with two pliers, one on each side of the slit, and rotate one hand toward you, the other toward the back — a side-to-side movement, not spreading. Close with the opposite gesture. The ring remains perfectly round and the closure is invisible.

This is why it is better to have two flat pliers, or one flat and one half-round.

Form a simple loop

Thread the bead onto a headed nail. Cut the stem, leaving about a centimeter. Bend it 90 degrees just above the bead with the flat pliers, then grab the end with the round pliers and wrap towards you until you form a closed circle.

A tightly closed buckle leaves no gaps: this is what prevents the assembly from coming undone when worn.

Maintain your pliers

Never use jewelry pliers to cut steel wire or piano wire: the jaws will permanently chip. Keep sturdy pliers separate for these uses.

A drop of oil on the axle once a year maintains fluidity. Store dry, the jaws must not oxidize.

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