Affordable Beading

There are hundreds of tools and organizers for beading. For jewelry work you will need many different tools. The appearance of the jewels is largely affected by the types of tools you are using. Many goldsmiths require sophisticated tools for high quality jobs. In this section, we will explore basic tools and organizers that will help you get started.
 Basic beading tools
• Round-Nosed Pliers: These tools are especially designed as jewelry tools for making round or circular pieces of wire. While buying these tools, go for the ones that have spring in the handle because they are very comfortable and convenient while working.
• Flat-nosed pliers: Different variations of these tools are available for different purposes such as jewelry and automobile repairing. Those made for jewelry work are very soft inside the nose. They are the primary pair of pliers with a flat nose.
• Wire cutter: This is an important tool if you work mainly with beading rather than wire work. A pair of wire cutters will be required for cutting things such as headpins for making earrings and of course, beading wire.
• Scissors: Look for the kind that is especially made for jewelry making.
• Glue: There are lots of jewelry glues made by different manufacturers. Buy the one that is considered the best in the trade, or preferred by pros in this field.
• Tweezers: These tools are especially designed to pick up minute objects that are otherwise very difficult to pick with your hands.

 Hand Type Beading Tools
The hand type beading tools are mainly classified into three types.
1. Parker Style Beading Tool Kit
2. Ez-Beader
3. Hand Tube Beader

• Parker Style Beading Tool Kit: This beading tool uses dies that can be exchanged at any place from 1/4″ to 1″. Here, the 1/4″ die is fitted well in the 1/4″ tubing. It also turns round the bead from within.

Rubber jaws are fitted in a special frame. Hold it tightly as a handle a few inches from the last part of the tubing. Now, put the beading die inside the tubing. Next, the rollers must be tightened until the beading die touches the tubing. Now, start rotating the beading die on the end of the tube by greasing the tubing. The tubing must be held from twisting with the tube holder. You will see beads forming as you tighten the jaws. Continue to hold the tool tightly until the formation of your desired bead.
There are many advantages to using this tool. It can make beads from both inside and outside and hardly breaks in the beads creating process. The only disadvantage to using this tool is that it can bead only up to 1″ tubing.
• EZ-Beader: Especially made for pushing inside the tube until it stops falling. Tighten the bolt with the help of two wrenches very far away from the tube. This drives the ball bearings inside the tool properly which results in paving the way for the formation of bead.

Now, move the whole fixture using one larger wrench. In this tool also, just like the parker style beading tool, you are advised to grease slightly so that it will work properly and easily. As you did before, the furthermost bolt must be revolved and tightened over again after some turns. Move the whole fixture over again. You must continue this procedure till you achieve a proper bead height. See how to use this tool below.

Just like other tools, it has both advantages and disadvantages. Its advantages are that it is very easy and convenient to use; and can make much bigger beads than the parker style. Its disadvantages include only pushing on the tubing from within which makes the tubing liable to crack or deform. You also will need to change the wrenches every time making the operation slower and uncomfortable.
• Hand Tube Beader: This tool is especially designed for working with bigger tubing that starts from 1/2″ diameter and above. For using this tool, you will need to glide down the tube against the die.

After this, you must untie or tighten the bolt on the top of the tool for regulating the larger rollers. Now, move the whole unit until it becomes easily movable. Finally, make the bolt to tighten on the top of the unit until it is comfortable. Make sure you don’t tighten the rollers too much to deform the tubing. Continue this procedure until you achieve the proper bead height.
The advantage of this tool is that it can perform wide ranges of tubing with least altering of dies. It can also perform both bigger and smaller diameter tubing unlike the parker style beading tool and EZ-beader which are limited either only to bigger or smaller diameter tubing. The disadvantage of this tool is that it cannot produce quality beads. It also is very difficult to use, because it requires you to hold the tubing and move the unit simultaneously.
Organizers
Organizers are the containers where you can place your beads, beading tubes, beading strands, needles, wire and other equipment in proper place. Following are some of the most widely used organizers.

• Cookie Tray: This is a very useful and inexpensive organizer. You can place beads and other things into it during the operation.
• Plastic Compartment: Made up of many separate “rooms,” this type of organizer is a good place to keep your beads, wires and other things in an orderly manner.

Jars: Most people just throw away small jars after using them, but never imagined that they can function as very good organizers for beadings. The truth is that they can serve as very good organizers.

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