Crimping 101
The purpose of crimping is to fasten your stringing materials to clasps and/or secure beadwork in place. Before you begin, it’s best to determine what size crimp tube you’ll need. Select a crimp based on the diameter of your stringing materials. The stinging materials should fit through your crimp twice with a little bit of wiggle room. A 1.5mm or 2mm crimp works best for most stringing materials like wire, but if you are using materials with a thicker diameter, opt for a 2.5mm crimp instead. For lightweight projects, a short crimp tube works fine. For projects featuring heavier beads, try a longer crimp tube, which will provide more support.
Once you’ve selected the right crimp tube for the project, you’ll need a crimp tool. Goody Beads carries great crimping pliers from The Bead Smith. Crimping pliers feature two stations. The first station, closest to the handles and farthest away from the tip of the pliers, has a raised bump in the middle that creates a dimple. This station creates a “figure 8” shape in the crimp tube. The second station, which is farthest away from the handles and closest to the tip of the pliers, is used to fold the crimp tube and fashion it into a pleasing shape.
It’s easy to get a nice crimp every time.
All you need is the right tools and these basic techniques.
Start by stringing the crimp tube appropriate for the project onto the stringing materials. Leave about an inch or so of stringing material to run through the loop of your clasp and back though the crimp. Push the crimp up securing it in place but don’t make it so tight as to inhibit the movement of the stringing material.
Grip the crimp in the first station of the crimping pliers. While doing so, separate the wires so that they lie against each side of the tube. Next, squeeze the crimping pliers firmly, but not too hard, this will shape the crimp tube around the two wires creating a figure 8. Now the strands are separated. Using the second station of the crimping pliers, fold and fashion the crimp tube into a clean tubular shape.
Things To Remember:
•A firm squeeze is all the pressure you need. Squeezing too hard can actually weaken the crimp.
•If you are unsure of the strength of your crimp, it is okay to fasten two crimps side by side.
•If you plan on using a crimp cover, make sure you allow enough space between the crimp and the clasp so that you don’t risk crimping your clasp in the process.
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