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Ask the Experts about Jewelry Making
Topics: Using a Crimp Tube with a Toggle
Q.
When making a bracelet with nylon coated wire and a toggle clasp, how tight should the crimp tube be to the toggle? Should there be any slack? I had a bracelet that I made break and wonder if the tension was too tight. Please advise! I'm very embarrassed!
- Rebecca
A.
Things like this have happened to many of us. This is how I recommend stringing a design that uses crimp beads.
For the first half of a necklace or bracelet string one crimp bead, one small bead from the selected beads in the design then half of the clasp. Pass the wire back through the bead and the crimp, with very little wire between the bead and the clasp--about 2-3mm and no space between the bead and the crimp. Crimp the crimp bead securely then string your design. When finishing the second half, string one crimp, one small bead and the other half of the clasp. Pass the wire back through the bead and the crimp, tighten the wire so the bead and crimp are placed next to the clasp similarly to the first half then check for drape in the overall piece. If the beads are too tight and don't flow and you can't coil up the wire loosely, work some slack into the beaded section rather than between the crimp and clasp until there is more flexibility to the overall piece.
Two things to also keep in mind: the type of beads you're using and having the wire match the size of the beads. Make sure you choose the strongest, thickest diameter and most flexible of whichever wire you prefer. For your convenience here is a link to all of our Accu-Flex® Professional Quality Beading Wire.
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