Home / Jewelry Making Tips and Techniques / Stop Marring Your Wire and Jump Rings

Stop Marring Your Wire and Jump Rings

by Kylie Jones
When working with wire and jump rings, it's essential to ensure that your tools aren't leaving unwanted nicks and scratches on your work. Here's how you can prevent these marks and keep your pieces looking flawless.
Instructions

Understanding Wire Marring

What is Wire Marring?

Wire marring refers to nicks, scratches, and unwanted marks that can appear on your wire or jump rings during the jewelry-making process.

These blemishes can occur due to several factors, such as improper tool use, excessive pressure, or working with tools that have rough or uneven surfaces.

Wire marring not only affects the aesthetic quality of your jewelry but can also weaken the wire, making it more prone to breaking.

Understanding and preventing wire marring is essential to maintaining the integrity and appearance of your designs, ensuring a professional and polished finish.
Kylie Jones's Stop Marring Your Wire and Jump Rings - <h2>Understanding Wire Marring</h2>, Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, Close up of pliers holding a jump ring showing marring

Reasons for Tool Marks and How to Prevent Them

Tool Marks from Pliers
Check for Smoothness & Sharp Edges

  • Inspect the inside jaws of your pliers for any roughness or imperfections.

  • Use a nail board to keep the jaws smooth, but avoid buffing them too finely, as a too-shiny surface can cause the tools to slip on the wire.

  • The sides of your pliers may have sharp edges that can mark your wire and rings.

  • Gently round off the sharp flat edges on the sides and front of your pliers using a nail board or sanding stick.

  • This technique is similar to how a chasing hammer's rounded face prevents its edges from hitting the wire.




    • Image: These pliers are both new. The one on the left I have filed with a nail board.
    You can see the sharp angles are gone and the surface feels smooth to the touch.
    Pro Tip: Don't try this for the first time on your really expensive pliers, always try this technique on cheaper pliers first, and work slowly for consistent results.

    Grip Pressure
    Avoid Over-Tightening

  • Gripping the wire too tightly, especially with round nose pliers, can cause tool marks.

  • Focus on applying just enough pressure to achieve your task.

  • Try moving the wire instead of the pliers to reduce force.

  • Ergonomic pliers allow you to exert more force with less effort and this can be a problem in marring your work.

    • Handling Chain Maille
    Manage the Weight

  • Holding the weight of your chain maille while closing rings can lead to increased force and potential marring.

  • Rest the work on your bench to reduce the strain on your pliers and prevent marks.

    • Additional Tips for Preventing Tool Marks


    Cushioning Your Pliers
    Tool Magic, Tape, or Nylon Jaw Pliers



    Image: These pliers were dipped in Tool Magic for added cushioning and protection.

  • Dipping pliers in Tool Magic or similar rubber coatings can cushion the metal surfaces, preventing marks on your work.

  • Note: This method reduces sensitivity when working directly on the metal.

  • Additionally, masking tape, painter's tape, or plastic electrical tape are cost-effective alternatives to Tool Magic, they also don't produce fumes but can be more fiddly to apply.

  • Pliers with nylon jaws prevent marring, but at the cost of reduced sensitivity.

  • Pliers that feature one nylon jaw and one metal jaw offer a good balance between protection and control.




    • Image: Examples of two types of nylon jaw pliers for protecting your work from scratches and marks.

    Materials

    Wire
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    Tools

    Scotch 0.94 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together
    G13-5
    • G13-5
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $5.97
    • Gold Club Price: $4.48
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    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
    Add to Bag
    Economy Nylon Jaw Pliers
    G2-25
    • G2-25
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $11.97
    • Gold Club Price: $8.98
    Add to Bag
    Nylon Flat Pliers-Ergo
    PLR-275.30
    • PLR-275.30
    • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
    • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
    • Price: $15.95
    • Gold Club Price: $11.96
    Add to Bag
    Other Nylon Pliers options
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    Add All Items to Cart
    • Category: Tools
    • Technique(s): Tools

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