I began my jewellery making journey as a wire wrapper and you don't need a lot of expensive tools to start out doing it. If you're just starting out, this will be a good selection of tools to buy, and they don't have to break the bank. I'm still using tools that I bought at Walmart over a decade ago! Here's some of the basics
Flat Nose, Chain Nose & Bent Chain Nose Pliers - used to grip wire, to make bends in the wire and to squeeze the wrapping wire tight. (Make sure you don't buy the kind of pliers with the teeth! You need smooth surfaces or your wire will end up marked and damaged.) These pliers may need a bit of prep before you use them. Make sure there's no sharp edges, just run a file over each edge and round the corners, just slightly. Below are some drawings of these pliers shown in front and profile views.
Flat Nose, Chain Nose & Bent Chain Nose Pliers - used to grip wire, to make bends in the wire and to squeeze the wrapping wire tight. (Make sure you don't buy the kind of pliers with the teeth! You need smooth surfaces or your wire will end up marked and damaged.) These pliers may need a bit of prep before you use them. Make sure there's no sharp edges, just run a file over each edge and round the corners, just slightly. Below are some drawings of these pliers shown in front and profile views.
Nylon Jaw Pliers – used to straighten and harden wire
Cutters – used to cut wire.
Small Files – assorted shapes, used to smooth wire ends and nicks.
Pin Vise – used to twist square wire
Mandrels – used to shape wire for rings, bracelets, etc.
Soft Faced Hammer – used to shape and harden wire on a mandrel
Bead Reamer – used to enlarge and deburr bead holes
Masking Tape, Sharpie, Pipe Cleaner, Tape Measure
As we go on, I'll be adding to the list of tools that you need or want. But these are more than enough to get you started. I'll get into how to use these tools soon, but next week, I want to talk about some of the different metals you can use! See you next time!