Wire Pliers

Wireworking pliers are essential for creating professional wire projects. Wireworkers have a range of specialized pliers to choose from, from banding and looper pliers to mandrel and rosary pliers—and more.


Here are common groups of specialty pliers designed to work with wire and other metal surfaces:


  • Bail-Making Pliers
    These very specific mandrel pliers are designed for creating uniformly sized wire bails. Each jaw is a different diameter, for easy consistency across product lines. These pliers are the fastest tool for transforming head pins with decorative ends into bails. "How to Use the Wubbers® Bail-Making and Round Mandrel Pliers" includes an how-to video and step-by-step instructions for using bail-making and round mandrel pliers.

  • Banding Pliers
    Banding, for those less familiar with the phrase, is a process of wrapping square or half-round wire around a line or bundle of square wire. This keeps the line or bundle of wire aligned and in order, providing structure. This technique is commonly used to create the base of wire-wrapped bracelets, choker necklaces, tiaras and similar rigid shapes.

    Jewelry banding pliers are used to create those precise and even right angle bends—single or double—on multiple wires at the same time. This ensures the first wrap is crisp and secure for a professional look. Here are Sandy Lupo’s step-by-step instructions for using banding pliers to create a wire band.

    Banding pliers have a channel on one jaw and a form, or plunger, on the other. When the pliers are closed, the wire is pressed into the channel. This forms two right angles with a standardized and consistent space between them for the line or bundle of square wire. Watch this how-to video with step-by-step instructions to see how double banding pliers work.
  • Looper and Loop-Closing Pliers
    Looper pliers make turn wire ends into professional looking simple loops with a single motion. Trusted brands include The Bead Buddy®, Bead Smith® and Vintaj®. Here are how-to videos and step-by-step instructions for using Vintaj One-Step Looper and Bead Buddy E-Z Looper™ pliers.

    Loop-closing pliers snug up simple loops, jump rings, chain links and other wire shapes with an open seam, reducing or eliminating scratches and distortion. 

  • Mandrel Pliers
    Mandrel pliers make shaping metal to consistent shapes and sizes easier than ever. Mandrels are metalsmithing tools used to shape wire, bezel strips and metal sheet. While many mandrels require a vise and a hammer or mallet to bend metal, mandrel pliers simply need the ability to grip.

    The most popular brand of mandrel pliers is Wubbers®, which comes in a range of mandrel shapes, including half-round, round, oval, teardrop and others. Each jaw of a Wubbers mandrel is a different size, so one pair offers designers two working sizes for metal shaping. Read all about the invention of Wubbers pliers, then watch the how-to videos and read the step-by-step instructions to see how easy they are to use.
  • Nylon Jaw Pliers
    These pliers are manufactured especially for artists who need to prevent scratches, nicks and chips when working with anodized, enameled or color-coated wire. And since the nylon jaws wear down over time, make sure you get the proper replacement tips.

  • Rosary Pliers
    The pliers that can do it all, combining the utility of flat-nose pliers, the versatility of round-nose pliers and handiness of built-in side cutters. Designed to make assembling beaded links quick and easy, rosary pliers are an ideal 3-in-one tool for foundational wirework techniques.

  • Wire Twist Pliers
    Control the design of your twisted wire element, making consistent and even twists every time. Handy, built-in side cutters put all you need into one hand. Best used with 16- to 24-gauge wire. Watch the how-to videos and read the step-by-step instructions.

  • Zig-Zag Pliers
    These parallel action pliers create consistent zig-zag bends in 20-gauge (or finer) wire, with just a simple squeeze.

Banding, mandrel and other specialty wireworking pliers make wire-wrapping and other metalworking faster and easier. So review your current know-how, decide what techniques you want to add to your skill set, pick up the pliers you need to reach your goals and ensure your jewelry-making is better than ever!



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