It’s very important to choose the right size crimps
for your beading wire. In today’s Beading Lesson, we will explain
the difference between crimp beads and crimp tubes and show you how to
choose the right size for your beading wire.
Crimp
beads are round and look like tiny seed beads. Crimp tubes are cylindrical.
Deciding to use crimp beads versus tubes is primarily a matter of personal
preference. Use crimp beads when it’s important to have a smaller
overall look, like when holding beads in place on an illusion design.
Crimp tubes can make better surface contact with the beading wire, so
use them when you need extra strength, like when attaching a clasp. The
best quality crimp beads and tubes are seamless, which prevents them from
breaking open when squeezed with a crimping tool.
Crimp beads and tubes both come in several different sizes that are sold
separately or in a variety pack. Choose the size based on the size of
wire you’re using. Keep in mind that you’ll often have to
pass the wire through a crimp twice. Choose a crimp that will be mostly
filled by the wire because this helps prevent breakage. If you’re
having trouble with crimps breaking, you may need to use a larger size
of wire or change to a smaller crimp.
Crimps have an internal and an external diameter. The internal diameter
(ID) determines which size wire will pass through and the outside diameter
(OD) determines how much space the crimp will fill in a jewelry design.
For example,
.012” wire works best with #0 (.8mm ID/1.3mm OD) crimp beads and
#1 crimp tubes (1.3mm ID/1.8mm OD) while .030” wire works best with
#3 crimp beads (1.8mm ID/3mm OD) and #4 crimp tubes (2mm ID/2.5mm OD).
You can also use these larger sizes of crimp beads and tubes to crimp
multiple strands together. Sizing information is usually printed on the
crimp packages and the beading wire spools to help you match up the correct
size products.
Different sizes of crimps require different sizes of crimping tools.
Use a micro crimping tool with #0 crimp beads and #1 crimp tubes. Use
a standard crimping tool with #1&2 crimp beads and #2&3 crimp
tubes. Use a mighty crimping tool with #3 crimp beads and #4 crimp tubes.
Look for this information printed on the crimp and tool packages to assist
you.
When crimping, be sure that the wires are parallel inside the crimp bead
or tube. Place the crimp in the outer jaws of the crimping tool and squeeze
gently so the crimp forms and oval shape. Place it in the inner jaws of
the crimping tool and squeeze hard so it forms a crescent shape. Turn
the crimp 90 degrees and place it in the outer jaws. Squeeze gently to
fold and round the crimp.
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