To crimp or not to crimp….?
April 1, 2010
This is an question ask by many first-time beaders. First of all it depends on which stringing material you are using:
Nylon, silk or polyester cord: NO CRIMPS NEEDED because cord can be easily finished by tying it together and adding some glue on the knot.
Flexible Beading Wire: CRIMPS NEEDED since flexible beading wire is made of multi-strands of stainless steel wire twisted together and wrapped by an outer layer of clear or colored nylon. Due to the nature that flexible beading wire is duo-layer, it’s not possible to finish by tying the wire together, instead we use crimps, either in the form of beads…
or tubes…
So you wonder, what’s the difference between the two?
1) Tool used: Both types of crimps can be flattened with a chain-nose plier. However, we typically use a crimping plier on the bead tubes.
2) Appearance (both before & after): as the names suggest, the crimp beads look like round metal beads, whereas the crimp tubes are more tubular-looking.
After being crimped, the crimp beads become rectangular-shaped and the crimp tubes remain more a tubular-looking.
3) Ease of use: for the crimp beads, you simply flatten them with chain-nose plier. For the crimp tubes, you will finish them in a 2-step process with a crimping plier
4) Ability to take on a crimp cover: since the crimp tubes finish looking more tubular, it is very usually to use a crimp cover on top of them for a more professional look. On the other hand, crimp beads take on a flattened rectangular shape, which makes it hard to put a round cover on top of it.
5) Ro0m for mistake: if anything goes wrong (missed a bead or strung too few beads) the crimp beads can be easily destroyed by using a chain-nose plier and squeezing them in all direction. In no time, they will fall apart and then you can start over. However it is better not to overdo this because the wire may get damaged. The crimp tubes are much less forgiving. If you make a mistake, you’ll have to start over! BUT, don’t be afraid of using crimp tubes because of this fact since once you get the hang of it, they are great for heavy pieces since they are so strong.
Either way, you will have great jewelry that is secure to wear everyday~!
