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Non Marring Tools

by Judy Larson
Wherever we are on our jewelry making journey, most of us have a need for tools that do not easily mar metal. There are work-arounds, but it is so much easier to use tools specifically made for the job we are doing.

Using non-marring tools means fewer scratches, dings, and gouges in your metalwork. When they are kept on your work surface, you will find yourself reaching for them again and again.
Soft jaw flat nose pliers are a must for bead, wire, and metal artists and are in almost every jewelry maker's toolbox. Pulling bent wire between the closed jaws makes quick work of straightening it. Metal and wire can be bent and manipulated without scratching, marring, or gouging it. The nylon jaw pliers in the first photo are a must in any wireworker's tool arsenal. When the jaws become too mangled to use, the nylon jaws are easily replaceable. The pliers in the second photo are inexpensive hobby store pliers and the jaws are not replaceable-they even often fall off the pliers with use so need to be glued back in place. The plastic on these pliers is hard but gouges easily and is not as forgiving as the nylon replaceable jaws. However, they do have their uses. The wider jaws make them more useful for opening and closing large and/or heavy gauge jump rings. On both the pliers, the nylon/plastic jaws can be lightly filed to a bit smoother surface, if needed.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
Soft jaw round nose pliers, available in two sizes, have replaceable cone jaws that screw into place on the metal jaws of the pliers. Because the soft jaws are slightly slippery, it takes more grip to hold an item between the jaws. The plastic tips, which extend beyond the metal tips they are screwed to, are easily damaged so care must be taken when working with them. The nylon jaws in these pliers are bent out of shape as well as gouged and are close to being replaced.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
There are times my fingers just can't make a curve or bend that I want in a piece of wire or metal because it is too heavy. That is where these indispensable (to me) pliers come in. From left to right: nylon jaw deep bending pliers, nylon jaw ring bending pliers, and nylon jaw bracelet bending pliers.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
When I saw this ring bending pliers with a nylon "V" groove side, I knew it would make quick work of tightly closing the seams on a ring band. Any outside texture is not disturbed by a metal jaw, which pushes the ring shank down into the "V" from the inside of the ring. As with any tool, it took a bit of getting used to, but this is now all I use on wider and/or thicker ring bands.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
As with the ring bending pliers, these small and large multi-size Wrap N Tap pliers have one metal jaw and one plastic covered one. They are wonderful for making jump rings, bails, curves, you name it, without damaging wire or metal.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
Any pliers can be turned into a non-marring ones by covering the jaws and jaw edges with electrical tape, or even painter's tape, or by dipping the jaws into Tool Magic, a non-permanent rubber coating which takes about three hours to dry. Those coverings must be removed to use the pliers in their original state. Keep a variety of different sizes of plastic tubing on hand to slip over the jaws, and voila, you have non-marring pliers that can be quickly turned back into metal pliers.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
There are a multitude of non-marring hammers on the market. Rawhide mallets, dual-faced nylon and rubber mallets, and domed face hammers are just a few.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
The hammers can be used with rubber blocks, or a bench block helper with both a steel and a nylon block insert. Working on softer surfaces translates to less damage to wire and sheet metal.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
When shaping of textured metal or wire woven pieces is desired, a wood dapping block and wood punches are nice to have. My wood dapping cube came with two punches I rarely use. The graduated nylon punch set fits my needs. These tools make it so much easier to avoid damaging any texture on metal. Used with a gentle hand, they can also be used with wirework.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
Wood and nylon punch handles can be tapped into textured metal pieces placed in the grooves a Whaley swage block without damaging the texture.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools
The jumbo wood dapping punches and large dapping block can be used when making gently curved pieces with textured metal.
Judy Larson's Non Marring Tools - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, non marring tools

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Tools

5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws
G2-1
  • G2-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.97
  • Gold Club Price: $7.48
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4x4 Inch Rubber Block
G17-12
  • G17-12
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.95
  • Gold Club Price: $6.71
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8 Piece Nylon Punch Set
DAP-748.00
  • DAP-748.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.98
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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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Domed Face Nylon Hammer
HAM-394.00
  • HAM-394.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
Out of Stock
Nylon Bracelet Bending Plier
PLR-840.00
  • PLR-840.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $19.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.98
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Round/Flat Nose Nylon Pliers with Single Nylon Jaw
PLR-846.00
  • PLR-846.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $13.97
  • Gold Club Price: $10.48
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Round Nose Nylon Tipped Pliers--Small
PLR-827.00
  • PLR-827.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
Out of Stock
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  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Tools

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