THE TOP 10 TOOLS EVERY WIRE WRAPPER SHOULD HAVE! (Plus a few bonus tools!)

[@freddiecat7241]

My favorite tool is a vintage stanless steel letter opener which is perfect for lifting or tucking, gently of course.

[@lasrider11]

I use a tape measure rather than a ruler to make my measurements. Wire isn’t usually perfectly straight, and the tape measure bends so it works well. I also use it to measure exactly how many mm a desired ring size is and then how much larger to cut my base wires to accommodate my weave so it lands on the target size. Plus, when I’m wire wrapping on the go (which is very often) the tape measure rolls up really small so the biggest thing I carry besides the wire is the mandrel! Also, love having an electric cordless drill nearby for making coils

[@stephenscordato4321]

I had one of those void zones in my lindstroms that I've had for years and I was devastated. A few minutes with a diamond needle file and some sands afterwards, and they were sharp as heck once again. Just follow the existing bevels cut into your cutters. I love electrical tape or thermo plastic for covering my tools. Save all your worn out tools so you can alter them for specialty jobs. I'm absurdly frugal, having made even my own hammers at times. I love paperclips in conjunction with the various clamps for extra taming of multiple strands of wire. A bench block and a nylon mallet help immensely with tons lf tasks when you need segments of wire hard and the remainder left soft. You can also hammer those bent tips to get them perfectly flat again, amd it will also harden the tool slightly. Thermoplastic can be used to replace your nylon jaws when you're in a pinch. I use a shim or shank for pushing aside some components to fit in others without scratching anything. Bees wax for grabbing stones-- I have carpal tunnel in both wrists so this is key for even being able to pick up smaller stones. My cellphone, for without it, I'd never be able to like, subscribe, and comment on yet another helpful video from Nolan!

[@pamkriner5945]

I like to tell my students that craft store tools are more than sufficient to start. Use them until you’re sure you intend to continue this craft.

[@boni-suelaninfa3574]

I like hemostats. I dipped one set in silicone but I also use them with Mr clean magic eraser sheets to protect the wire when I’m traveling with a project. They hold better than the clamps and also can get into very small spaces and to pull fine gauge wire through the smallest spaces.. Doctors offices just throw them away after procedures, so if you ever have something done like stitches removed at the doctor or vet, ask to keep them. The ones from the doctor are usually better than the craft store ones. They. Have a finer tip.

[@Senorboombox]

Digging the Bob Ross-esc voice.

[@RaftarkJewelry]

I probably shouldn’t admit how many takes I went through to get a clip without me coughing in it 😂

[@jimmcintosh7656]

A new tool that I find helpful are WrapMaker Pliers. They help a lot with starting regular wraps, like those that I use on my bails.

[@YochevedDesigns]

Your work is absolutely stunning!

[@pauagirl1]

so good! thankyou! i like my bent nose pliers

[@randyp.3878]

Thank you for the video! I haven't seen the Swanstrom tools in motion, but now that I've caught a glimpse I see they're worth the price. Realizing I've been getting by missing a few crucial tools like the parallel action pliers :X 4 years spent without a pair of those!

[@PhoenixCreationsKaTyJs]

A very interesting video. My favourite tool is a guitar pick! It’s perfect for “smooshing” wire together when wrapping and its gaps a little, I have SHORT nails that have very little strength and using the, for wore tools is impossible! I’ve seen so many tutorials where the finger nail is used a lot. I needed a work around, and when walking from the car park to the house I stepped over a guitar pick on the street and it was a light bulb moment! I now have 3 in different thicknesses and shape. 😊😊😊. My cant live without tool isn’t a tool as such well I have 3, no 1 are my 2 duo lights from the “daylight light company” I ah e a clamp base and a desktop base version and use the, both, the way the lights split to a v and are individually workable is perfect. 2 is storage, I have zero space, I had Beadsmith storage boxes which have lots of little boxes inside, I have maybe 5 of these and another type, and a veteran woodworker military friend of my husband also a veteran, made me a storage box sized specifically to the space I had and made to take the boxes I use with a elastic strap in the lid to take my bead buddy junior box, and he also made me a tool box again to fit thr space from the top of the storage box to the underside of the table they sit under and it was made around a 3 drawer plastic drawer thing I found on amazon 3 seperate parts one with a full drawer, 1 with 3 and one with 2 and these are stacked and the insides are interchangeable, he made me a wooden tool box around these drawers and it’s perfect, all my tools, almost fit, I’ve bought a few more after starting wire work. And my final is gaming fingers, these are really fine and help me hold wires which are plated my skin eats it, I can’t wear any plating against my skin or it’s to base metal in hours no matter what, I’ve tried cotton gloves and the seam is in the way, vinyl gloves and my hands sweat, alligator tape I wrap too tight and can’t feel through it. Oh yeah and my glasses lol my regular ones didn’t cut it so I had to get stronger ones just for jewellery making and even then I work by feel I have magnifiers and clip on extra lens but my eyes don’t like them they are too strong fro too long. 😊😊😊😊 we always find a way.

[@darkraven1966]

I have a set of bent nose pliers that I really like that I use not just for wire weaving but also for chainmail I like it cuz it'll get into tiny spots when I'm using wire and I also like it for holding rings when I'm doing chainmail

[@RaftarkJewelry]

I forgot about the vent nose pliers! I haven’t used a set in ages, I should add a pair to my next supply order. Thank you!!

[@anitaibarra5763]

Thanks for pointing out the slightly rounded edge on the inside of the pliers. I will definitely need to invest in some of those.

[@RaftarkJewelry]

If you’re handy with a sharpening stone you can probably stone off the sharp edges on a less expensive pair as well!

[@oclove1503]

I LOVE YOUR WORK

[@RaftarkJewelry]

Thank you 😊🙏!!

[@jamesmuthukui9355]

Nice lesson keep it up from Kenya 🇰🇪

[@houseplantnerd2872]

Thank you.

[@victoriaharrison-sewell6717]

Thank you for this very useful video. Good to see your choice of tools. I am in the U.K, & get most of my wire/tools etc from the U.K..Will look out for Swanstrom tools, they seem excellent. Have to confess I don't have any parallel action pliers yet, but like you, I love my flat nosed pliers, & needle point pliers!.. Your work is amazing, I am nowhere near your standard, but do enjoy the challenge..thank you for sharing your skills..

[@RaftarkJewelry]

The parallel pliers are a newer one for me too! When I got a set I was instantly in love with them. They’re probably my second favorite plier after my regular flats

[@izzywizzy65]

Thank you for your videos. You always explain things well.

[@_soaps_686]

Yay! A new video!!

[@RaftarkJewelry]

And another one coming today!

[@pamkriner5945]

An added bonus to owning craft store tools, you can use them as your travel tools and not have to worry about losing them!

[@pamkriner5945]

Thanks for the tip about the tips!

[@sophiamcclelland1150]

Love this video! Super informative!!

[@doracarrington9219]

Our ring mandrels in the UK are different from those in the USA. Wish I could find a conversion chart when following your ring videos. Thanks so much for this video. I had never heard of Parallel Action Pliers before - they certainly look like a useful piece of kit!

[@RaftarkJewelry]

I found a conversion chart on google images that I printed off to keep on my regular jewelry bench. I find it really helpful for me to know how many mm the band needs to be not just the assigned size number/letter. Something like that might be helpful!

[@pamkriner5945]

Very informative! And also very interesting to see the tools from your perspective. Thank you!

[@annh3599]

Great video! Thanks!

[@RaftarkJewelry]

You're welcome!

[@emil4478]

Velice prospěšné a inspirující video 😂😂

[@pamkriner5945]

I wonder if it’s possible to bevel the edges of the cheaper tools?

[@sturkiestercreations]

i misplaced my bent nose pliers and ordered another set . When I go to order one item the total is for 4 or 5 things. I've cut way back on this since I started adding I all up .I have duplicate tooks and who knows why!?😂

[@shawnlaughingwhitesquirrel6382]

I have weak fingernails, is there a tip or cover for the thumbs you can recommend?

[@charleneproffitt8374]

I'm looking for a new place to buy wire, got any tips? ☺

[@Sister.Moons.Creations]

Do you have any tutorials for a heart shaped cabochon on your Patreon?

[@RaftarkJewelry]

We did a small faceted heart shaped stone a few years ago, but no heart cabs (yet haha)

[@townbell2248]

Could you coat the pliers in silicone? I have tried tape in the past

[@ETLGypsy]

👌👌👌👌