3 Basic Tools You Need to Start Wire Wrapping

To get started wire wrapping, you need 3 basic tools.  These are the tools you'll always use and that you probably can't get too far without.Calling it 3 tools is probably not exactly correct.  You'll need 4, but only 3 different types of tools.  You'll need 2 chain nose pliers.  (You can use other types of pliers - either bent nose or square nose pliers in place of your second pair of chain nose, depending on your preferences.)Wire CuttersYou use wire cutters to cut wire!  You can actually get started with a basic pair that you have around or in your toolbox; however, you'll quickly want to get a better pair.  The pair I have pictured above are a pretty big investment, but they are so worth it.  Once I started using them I couldn't believe I used my other ones for so long.How to use wire cutters:You use wire cutters to make 2 different types of cuts:  a flush cut and a pinch cut.  Depending what side of the cutters you use is the kind of cut you'll make.The flat side will make a flush cut.  In all of the tutorials I share you want to start with making sure each side has a flush cut.That's what the flush cut looks like.  It's cut straight.When you use the other side you make a pinch cut.(And actually, every time you cut wire off to use, one piece will have a flush cut and one will have a pinch cut.)That's what a pinch cut looks like.Round Nose Pliers:Round nose pliers are used for making loops and spirals.  I use them in most, if not all, of my designs involving wire wrapping.How to use Round Nose Pliers:You'll see 2 marks on my round nose pliers.  Click here for a quick tip for wire wrapping that explains those 2 marks and how I use them to make uniform loops.One thing that I use round nose pliers for is to make spirals.  You can make spiral headpins or just incorporate spirals into your designs.Click here for a tutorial on making spiral headpins.Click here for the Beaded Spiral Pendant eWorkshop, or here for the Wire Wrapped Charm Pendant.Round nose pliers are also use to make loops.  Here I'm starting a wire wrapped loop to make a bead dangle.Chain Nose Pliers:Chain nose pliers are basically used for everything.  It's like an extension of your hands when you're wire wrapping, which is while you'll want to have 2 pair.  (Or like I said, you may opt to get a second pair of pliers that are not chain nose.)How to use chain nose pliers:Use chain nose pliers to hold wire, wrap wire and bend and twist wire.Hold a loop wire wrapping it.While holding the loop with one pair of pliers, wrap the wire around with another pair of pliers.  (2 things about this photo:  1) I'm holding the loop with bent nose pliers.  I'll usually either hold the loop with the bent nose or actually do the wrapping with the bent nose while holding the loop with chain nose.  2) For the photo I was holding the chain nose pliers with my left hand, so this photo is backwards if you're right handed.Here I'm making a spiral.  Once you make the original loop, you use chain nose pliers to continue the spiral.You'll use chain nose pliers for everything you make when wire wrapping.Like I mentioned, you'll actually want another pair of pliers, too.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ready to learn the basics of wire wrapping like making loops, making bead dangles and making wire wrapped bead links, plus how to wire wrap anything to make charms and pendants?  Check out my Wire Wrapping For Beginners book, available both as an eBook or a print book.  Click here for more information.