Crimping pliers are for just what their name implies, crimping! The back slot puts a seam in the middle of the crimp tube, separating the ends of the flex wire and trapping it firmly. The front slot rounds out the tube and turns it into a small, tidy bead.

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Chain-nose pliers are the most useful tool in your entire toolbox. For holding, opening and closing jump rings and bending sharp angles.

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Round-nose pliers are intended for turning round loops. They do not work well for holding or grasping since they tend to leave a small dent.

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Flat-nose pliers are a wire power tool. They are excellent for turning sharp corners, holding items and for opening and closing jump rings.

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Wire flush cutters leave one flat side and one pointed side on each cut. Using flush cutters is especially important when working with heavy gauges of wire (20-gauge or smaller). One side of the cutter is flat and the other is indented.

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Nylon-jaw pliers can be used to harden or straighten wire.

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Side-Cutting Pliers The angled jaws of the side-cutting pliers give a close cut.

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Jeweler’s hammers have fine, smooth curved heads to leave a clean impression. The round peen side works well for texturing wire and metal sheet.

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A bench block is a flat, smooth piece of hardened steel. Hammering on top of a block flattens out and hardens the wire. Bench blocks are also used for stamping metal to get a clean impression.

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