TIP OF THE DAY - 9 January 2012 - Buying pliers

People are always asking ... what type of pliers should I buy?

The points you need to consider are:

• How often will I be using them
• What types do I need
• What quality do I need

Too many people just assume a plier is a plier... Many sellers on EBAY sell a cheap plier from China which has black handles and can cost as little as £1.50.

Beadaddicts have a round nose plier on EBAY at £1.25. To be honest you will be disappointed if you take the cheap route. Those style of pliers are made from cheap alloys and in some cases will mark your work.

So ALWAYS go for a stainless steel, purpose made jewellery making plier. These are not expensive and we have a large range including a full size 4 piece set for as little as £9.99 on our website. Decent pliers are worth their weight in gold.

6 Piece jewellery making set

If you are a beginner you really only need three styles of plier

• Round nose
• Chain nose
• Side cutter

You can add items such as a crimping plier later once you decide if jewellery making is for you