
Crimping, Part 2: How to Hide a Crimp in a Bead.
- Solder one crimp onto each end of your wire using the technique from crimping, part one.
- Attach one end of your cable to a crimp wire, using the crimping tool. Because I’m only using one crimp per end, I wrap the cable around the wire and ...
- Fit a 1 mm diamond ball bur into your flex shaft hand piece and ream out the bead hole, going only half way through. Use plenty of water, dipping, ...
- Test the fit. Thread the crimp wire through the bead, to make sure the rounded crimp is hidden. Thread a second bead onto your cable, snug it up ...
How do you crimp a crimp bead?
Position the crimp bead and thread in the second oval of the pliers (the one with the dip), and close the pliers around the bead. You'll see it curl.
What size crimp beads do I Need?
Take into consideration how many strands of wire or thread you will be crimping at once, as this will increase the size of bead you’ll need. For example, if you are using one 0.020” (0.51 mm) piece of wire, you will need a bead with a diameter of 0.04” (1.02 mm).
Why do you crimp beads on jewelry?
Crimp beads help secure a loop on a piece of jewelry so that the finished piece can be attached to other components of jewelry. If you’re making your own beaded jewelry, you’ll probably need to crimp the wire on both ends to make sure the beads don’t fall off.

How do you cover knots with crimp beads?
0:051:17Secrets to Crimp Covers - Hiding Knots - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you slip on a crimp. Cover. Get the knot positioned into the center of the crimp cover and thenMoreIf you slip on a crimp. Cover. Get the knot positioned into the center of the crimp cover and then either using a pair of crimping pliers or chain nose pliers close the crimp cover down.
Are crimp bead covers necessary?
If you've ever used a crimp bead, you'll know that they don't always close shut in the neatest possible manner. So, by covering them, you don't have to worry. The cover will also help to protect your crimp bead from wear and tear, hopefully making your jewellery last longer.
How do you finish a crimp bead bracelet?
5:266:44How to Make a Beaded Bracelet with Crimp Beads - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEvery once in a while to want the crimp bead will want to pop up. So you just crimp it again allMoreEvery once in a while to want the crimp bead will want to pop up. So you just crimp it again all right there we go just squeeze those two wires together.
How do you make crimp covers?
0:555:19Make Your Own Crimp Beads Jewelry Making Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you cut one side and then you flip it and then you'll cut your other side. So it's a nice cleanMoreSo you cut one side and then you flip it and then you'll cut your other side. So it's a nice clean cut. And there is your crimp.
Why do my crimp beads keep breaking?
Breakage is typically caused by abrasion on the wire. The kinds of beads you're can be sharp on the inside and can cut through the wire over time.
Are crimp beads or tubes better?
Many jewelry designers prefer crimp tubes over crimp beads. The tubes tend to be stronger than crimp beads and less likely to crack and break. Tubes may do a better job of gripping beading wire because they tend to have a larger interior surface area.
WHAT IS A crimp cover?
Crimp covers are used to conceal the crimp tubes you use in treasured jewelry designs. They not only hide the tubes, but they also prevent your jewelry piece from snagging on clothing and create an overall professional look. See our easy-to-follow instructions below to learn how to place crimp covers.
How do you finish a clasp bracelet?
7:5312:12How to Attach a Clasp - Make a Beaded Bracelet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn my bracelet as i'm doing this. So i've popped my crimp bead on i've got my jump ring there i'mMoreIn my bracelet as i'm doing this. So i've popped my crimp bead on i've got my jump ring there i'm going to pop this thread through that crimp break crimp bead and through the first two beads.
How do you make homemade jewelry look professional?
0:059:19How to finish your DIY Jewelry like a Professional - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're more of a fan of the look of the folded over crimp. You can also get out a crimping pliersMoreIf you're more of a fan of the look of the folded over crimp. You can also get out a crimping pliers as well I'm going to show the exact. Way that you want to think about and go about stringing.
What can you use instead of a crimp bead?
An alternative to crimp beads and crimp tubes is a newer finding called Screw-Tite Crimps™. Screw-Tite Crimps not only secure your Accu-Flex® beading wire to your clasp, they also allow you to change your clasp for a different one, should you want a different look.
How do you use crimp bead covers with hooks?
0:522:19How to Use Crimp Beads with Loops - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd go ahead and crimp. And then just like any other crimp bead. Go ahead and do the second step youMoreAnd go ahead and crimp. And then just like any other crimp bead. Go ahead and do the second step you just curve that over. And there you go and it is in there and it's tight it's not going anywhere.
Can I use regular pliers for crimp beads?
If you're making your own beaded jewelry, you'll probably need to crimp the wire on both ends to make sure the beads don't fall off. For best results, you should invest in a pair of crimping pliers, but a regular pair of pliers will work, too.
Closing a Crimp Bead
Crimp beads are most often used when stringing a beaded piece (like a bracelet or necklace) which has been strung with beading wire. The crimp beads finish the end of the beaded piece of jewelry and help create a loop for the clasp to be attached to.
About Crimping Pliers
First, let's take a good look at the crimping pliers. This is a tool designed specifically for securing crimp beads. While some jewelry makers will simply use a pair of chain-nosed or flat-nosed pliers and flatten the bead to close it, we prefer to use crimping pliers to secure a crimp bead because I think it gives it a more polished look.
Closed Crimping Pliers
Now, let's look at the nose when closed. Squeeze the handles. Notice how the grooves line up. The grooves create two holes in the nose. The first is oval shaped, and the second is an oval with a dip on one side.
Add Crimp Bead to Beading Wire
Now you are ready to attach and close your crimp bead to your beading wire.
Curl the Crimp Bead
Position the crimp bead and thread in the second oval of the pliers (the one with the dip), and close the pliers around the bead. You'll see it curl.
Round the Crimp Bead
Next, turn the crimp bead to its side, position it in the first oval, and close the pliers around the crimp bead again so that you're compressing the curled bead into a rounded shape.
Finish Securing Crimp Bead
Once your crimp bead is secure, trim off excess beading wire. You can either leave a little of the beading wire and insert the beads you string over it, or trim off all of it up to the crimp bead. Just make sure you cut it cleanly using a sharp pair of wire cutters or a beading wire cutter.
Community Q&A
What can I use to secure the ends of my bracelets if thread slips through the crimp bead?
Warnings
Wear safety goggles when cutting beading wire. Steel beading wire can snap and fly around.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.
What Is Crimping?
So, what is crimping? Crimping, in jewelry making, is a process that is primarily used to finish a piece of jewelry. Crimping is taking a crimp tube and placing it at the end of beading wire and compressing the crimp tube so that it molds around the beading wire and holds it in place. Crimp tubes are used to secure a clasp on the beading wire.
Best Wire Crimpers
Getting a crimping tool is an important step. And it must, therefore, be chosen carefully. If you are thinking of buying one, you should choose a tool that will suit your beading projects and needs. If you would like to crimp 2x2mm crimps, a single pair of crimping pliers will suit your needs.
Choosing a Crimp Size
For best results, you'll find it best to follow the beading wire manufacturer's guidelines on crimp sizes. Soft Flex Company helps you out by offering a chart of what we call the "most typical" crimp tube and beading wire size combinations:
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Crimp Beads
Gather your materials. If you are stringing a simple necklace, you will need the following:
Finishing a crimp with regular crimping pliers
String a crimp tube and a clasp onto the wire. String the wire back through the crimp tube. Straighten the wires inside the crimp tube so that they lay side by side.
Finishing a crimp with Magical Crimping Pliers
String a crimp tube. If attaching a clasp or ear wire, make sure that wires lay side by side. Place the crimp tube inside the groove of the Magical Crimping Pliers and squeeze.
Visit Soft Flex Company for Crimping Beads
Soft Flex Crimp Tubes are crafted with the professional in mind. We have constructed a crimp tube that is almost twice as thick as others on the market. The sturdier build of the crimp is enhanced by the fact that they are also seamless. Finish your next piece securely with our designer crimps.
