Cut Out + Keep

How To Crimp

Learning the correct way to crimp beading wire or tiger tail will ensure your handmade jewellery is secure and durable.

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/how-to-crimp • Posted by MillLaneStudio

This basic technique provides a neat and professional finish to the ends of your strung bracelets and necklaces. In this tutorial, I’ve added a wire guardian to create a neat loop and reduce friction and wear on the beading wire where it connects with other components but this is optional. You can just form a loop with the beading wire and omit this step if you choose.

You will need

Project Budget
Almost Nothing

Time

0 h 05

Difficulty

Pretty Easy
Medium 114029 2f2016 04 24 054544 7 fold crimp channels Medium 114029 2f2016 04 24 054556 8 crimped wire

Description

This basic technique provides a neat and professional finish to the ends of your strung bracelets and necklaces. In this tutorial, I’ve added a wire guardian to create a neat loop and reduce friction and wear on the beading wire where it connects with other components but this is optional. You can just form a loop with the beading wire and omit this step if you choose.

Instructions

  1. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054645 1 string crimp

    Work out the desired length of your necklace or bracelet and add at least 10cm (4”) to this. Cut the beading wire to this length. String on a crimp tube.

  2. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054751 2 string wireguardian

    Thread the beading wire through one side of the wire guardian.

  3. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054756 3 string wireguardian2

    Insert the wire through the other side of the wire guardian.

  4. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054818 4 string through crimp

    Thread the wire back through the crimp tube. Slide the crimp tube up to the wire guardian and pull the short beading wire tail so the beading wire is sitting neatly in the wire guardian.

  5. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054852 5 create channels

    Position the crimp tube in the second hole of the crimping pliers. Make sure that the two wires are sitting side by side in the crimp tube and not crossing over each other. Firmly squeeze the crimping pliers.

  6. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054857 6 crimped channels

    The tube should be formed into two channels with a wire sitting in each one.

  7. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054902 7 fold crimp channels

    Position the crimp in the top hole of the pliers, with the two channels facing toward the tip. Squeeze firmly to fold the two channels in towards the centre.

  8. Small 114029 2f2016 04 24 054906 8 crimped wire

    The completed crimp. Tug the long wire to make sure the crimp is secure.