Add Needle Files to Your Tool Bag

by Marilyn Gardiner

A great tool tip from our good friend - Marilyn Gardiner. Enjoy!

Instructions

Sometimes, when you want to use a jump ring to add a clasp, you find that it won’t pass through the little ring on one part of the clasp. You look at it closely, and the solution is not to choose a thinner wire, but to “fix’ the opening because it is blocked by a bit of extra metal.

You should own a small set of needle files, even if you aren’t a “metalworker”. It’s surprising the number of times you’ll need to file something – maybe a sharp edge, or in this case, a tiny bit of metal partially blocking a hole.

To fix that hole blockage, choose a small, tapered, round file. Use light pressure and file in one direction. Push, don’t pull.

Store your files so they are separated and don’t bang against each other.

Here are two great tool set options:

Needle File Set Pack of 5
This 5-piecec economy diamond needle file set is 5-1/2″ (140mm) long with medium grit diamond electroplated onto high-grade steel. Includes: round, half-round, flat, three-square and square.

Marilyn Gardiner's Add Needle Files to Your Tool Bag - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, files

Diamond Files, 5 Piece Set
This set can be found on our sister site JewerlyTools.com

These hard to find larger diamond files come in a five piece set. Each file measures 215 x 5mm with a diamond cut length of 80mm and a comfortable plastic grip handle. Set includes one each half-round, 3-square, flat, round and crossing.

A few other tools that you might want in your tool bag:

10 Piece Diamond Needle Files – 140mm X 3mm
The finest steel milled to perfection with a diamond coating, makes this range of 5 1/2 inch files the best for precision filing jobs. Longevity is assured as the diamond particles are electroplated onto the surface of the metal. Plastic dipped handles for comfort.

Medium Needle File Handle

Blue anodized aluminum handles are well-knurled for an excellent grip. Length of handles is 4-1/2″ and feature a steel ‘easy release’ chuck which is pressed into the barrel to remain secure. Handles will last a lifetime and make filing much easier. Made in USA.

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

10 Piece Diamond Needle Files - 140mm X 3mm

G14-8

G14-8
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.57
Gold Club Price: $10.18

Add to Bag

6PC File Set

FIL-912.10

FIL-912.10
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $39.97
Gold Club Price: $29.98

Add to Bag

Diamond Files--10 PC

FIL-972.00

FIL-972.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.47
Gold Club Price: $18.35

Add to Bag

Needle File Handle

HAN-942.00

HAN-942.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.97
Gold Club Price: $2.98

Add to Bag

Medium Needle File Handle

HAN-740.00

HAN-740.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.95
Gold Club Price: $7.46

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Category: Tools
Technique(s): Chain Making, Wrapping

Reviews

Marilyn Gardiner

I am a teacher who worked for many years as a teacher librarian and educational computer consultant. As part of my job I taught teachers and principals how to use computers in the classroom and I developed curriculum modules.I love jewelry, color, pattern, and design. It is thrilling to create something new that others love too. And I truly enjoy breaking down something complex into an easy-to-learn sequence that I can share with others, whether in print or in a classroom.

During the past 10 years I have energetically and enthusiastically developed my beading and chain mail skills and used my teaching background with adults to develop bead work and chain mail kits with step-by-step instructions that really work. I know that the kits have good quality instructions because of the positive feedback from students I teach and from customers who buy the kits at shows and from my online store.I regularly teach classes locally in Toronto ON, as well as occasionally in Mississauga, Barrie, Temple TX and San Antonio TX.I have been a vendor at bead shows in Toronto ON, Guelph ON, Montreal QC, Ottawa ON, Calgary AB, Halifax NS, Milwaukee WI, and Tucson AZ - and I teach a full slate of classes at these shows. My website has details.

In 2007 I was "Folk Artist in Residence - Beadwork" at the Joseph Schneider Haus in Kitchener ON. This involved setting up a series of lectures, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the year. There was also a good-sized gallery exhibit of beadwork that featured my work and included the contemporary and historical work of many others. The residency resulted in several articles in the local media.

I later completed a bead work commission for the museum, and some of my work is sold in the museum gift shop.I have published projects available online at Beading Times, Bead Bugle, All Free Jewelry, and The Beading Gem's Journal. Some of my kits are sold online through Beadfx. Kalmbach Publishing published my first book, Modern Chain Mail Jewelry, in 2015.Most of my time at present is directed to creating new chain mail projects.

I am currently working on several new designs that will be ready as kits and for teaching this fall. Each of these will have an Argentium sterling and a copper or Jeweler's Bronze version, and a couple will be silver filled 925/10. This will bring my chain mail kit total to more than 150. (My husband makes all our jump rings and packages the kits. Good man!)

Website: www.marilyngardiner.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GardinerDesign