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Crimping - a GuideWe supply Crimps from Beadalon, GRIFFIN and Beadtime. Beadalon crimps match their Beading Wires and Crimp Tools and are of a carefully controlled quality - need we say more as to our recommendation on choosing a manufacturer? However, if Pricing is a really important issue for you, then take a look at Beadtime - great prices and colours to match their findings. GRIFFIN produce very good quality Sterling Silver crimps and are popular with discerning users. What is a Crimp for?
If you want to retain Beads in a certain position on your cord(wire or Supplemax clear Nylon) then you will need a crimp. If you wish to creat a loop in the cord and fix the end, you will need a crimp. They are small round pieces of soft metal with a hole through the centre. When squashed, the crimp grips the cord tight - stopping beads from passing it, or holding pieces of cord together. What are the different types of Crimp?
Crimps come in different types and sizes - but there are mainly three types; Crimp Tubes small cylinders in different diameters. Typically Tube Crimps give the neatest finish when using an ordinary pair of pliers to squash them flat.The manfacturer, Beadalon, make crimp tubes in 4 sizes. See the table later.
Crimp Beads - Spherical metal balls with a hole through the centre - the most commony used type of crimp, but they look like a 'splodge' when squashed (unless you use a Crimp Tool) and are often covered with a Crimp Cover. Generally made in two sizes - see the table later. Torpedo or Twist Crimps- These are like Crimp Tubes but have a helix cut into the outer surface. When flattened, they have a nice striped finish which can be a feature.
Crimps may be made from solid or plated Gold and Silver and also in different colours - Black & Bronze for example.
Choosing Crimps Beware - all crimps are not the same. You can buy crimps in Sterling Silver and Gold or Silver Plated metals. Making crimps is a difficult process and in the case of plated crimps, if the conditions are not right, the plating can drop-off when crimping or more likely the crimp will fall apart or crumble in use. Make sure you buy a quality crimp or you will regret it! Crimp Sizes Crimps are available in tubes or beads in 4 sizes - and unfortunately the size varies between beads and tubes. When buying a reel of Beadalon beading wire, you will find the label identifies the size of Crimp you need. This assumes you are passing two pieces of wire through the crimp. If you want to use the crimp to seperate beads (ie only passing one piece of wire through it), then come down a size. And of course, f you are crimping multiple wires, then go up a size (or more!). Crimp Beads
Size #0 Internal Dia. 0.8mm Outer Dia. 1.3mm Use with cord 0.25~0.33mm Size #1 Internal Dia. 1.3mm Outer Dia. 2.0mm Use with cord 0.25~0.53mm
Size #2 Internal Dia. 1.5mm Outer Dia. 2.5mm Use with cord 0.61~0.66mm Size #3 Internal Dia. 1.8mm Outer Dia. 3.0mm Use with cord 0.61~0.91mm Crimp Tubes
Size #1 Internal Dia. 0.8mm Outer Dia. 1.3mm Use with cord 0.25~0.33mm
Size #2 Internal Dia. 1.3mm Outer Dia. 1.8mm Use with cord 0.33~0.60mm
Size #3 Internal Dia. 1.5mm Outer Dia. 2.0mm Use with cord 0.60~0.66mm
Size #4 Internal Dia. 2.0mm Outer Dia. 2.5mm Use with cord 0.66~0.81mm
Use 'Micro' size Beadalon Crimp Pliers for Size #1 crimp tubes, 'Standard' size Beadalon Crimp Pliers for Sizes #2 & #3 tubes, 'Mighty' size Beadlon Crimp Pliers for size #4 tubes. Pack Sizes As mentioned above, quality of crimps is paramount - and therefore we would normally suggest you sell the retail packs as they are in branded packaging that signifies quality. However, Crimps from Beadalon are also available in packs of 5 x 1oz or in really large excellent value packs of 25oz. Sterling Silver crimps come in either small retail packs or larger bulk packs. How to fix Crimps
The easiest way is to squash the crimp with a pair of flat bladed Pliers. Make sure that you try to arrange the crimp so that it is paralell with your cord before squashing so that it looks neater. In the case of Crimp Beads, you are left with a 'splodge' of metal, with Crimp Tubes, the result is more pleasing - a small rectangle shape. The best way to use Crimps is by using Crimp Pliers also known as Crimping Tools or Crimpers. The secret in their use is to make sure you use the correct sized crimp tool for the crimps you have. Crimp Tools are really easy to use and result in a very neat crimp. First you close the crimp with the inner jaw of the tool - this creates a 'crescent' shaped crimp. Then using the outer jaws, you squash the crescent shape. The result is a nice neat round finished crimp that is attractive in its own right! A word on Crimp Tools Did you know that the design of Crimp Tools is patented? Make sure your tool has a license number stamped on it. If not, then to get around the patent, some people make the jaws slightly the wrong size or shape - and of course they will not work as well. See Crimping in action! Beadalon have an excellent little video clip on their site, illustrating how to crimp - click here to take a look.
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