Comments on: Pathetic Crimp Covers – Is There a Better Solution?

By: Stacey

Stacey — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 22:56:57 +0000

In reply to Colleen.

I found them here, no idea if these work or not but may order them!
https://www.riogrande.com/product/BeadBuddyCrimpCoverClosingPliers/111318?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIraqqj8Pr6AIVfz6tBh3rkQLNEAQYBCABEgIH_vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

They only got 2.5 stars on Rio Grande’s site though.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 21:25:23 +0000

In reply to Joyce C. Joyce, thank you for sharing that resource! :)

By: Joyce C

Joyce C — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 12:32:22 +0000

Bead Buddy offers a Crimp Cover tool. I found it at Michael’s and instructional videos are available online.

By: Barbara Solomon

Barbara Solomon — Sun, 21 May 2017 02:51:27 +0000

Hi,

Unfortunately, I need a solution that uses sterling silver covers. I don’t think the heavy covers are in sterling. I could be wrong. I hate to think what the cost would be.
What I really love is, if you do a search today, and you do the same search tomorrow, you will find different answers!
That said…
I found:
Use your fingers to close the crimp covers.
Make your own crimp covers from metal beads. Cut them with a solder shears. I have no idea what a solder shears is.
Wind wire around the crimps.
This seems to be a universal problem.
Maybe, I’ll find the solution tomorrow!
If we all keep looking for a solution, maybe some genius will invent a tool for us!

Thanks!

Barbara Solomon

By: Judith

Judith — Sat, 20 May 2017 22:10:04 +0000

It’s good to find I’m not the only one who struggles with flimsy crimp covers. I have never gotten the knack of closing them with crimping pliers, so I use my favorite chain nose pliers very gently and slowly. But since I am often still not happy with the results, I am also always on the lookout for small, pretty silver and gold tube beads with a hole big enough to cover the crimp bead. I love the idea of finding stronger crimp covers that would hold their shape better and resist dentingk so I googled heavy duty crimp covers. I quickly found a couple of suppliers on Etsy that have options worth trying. Thanks for surfacing this important finishing issue.

By: Lynn Carling

Lynn Carling — Wed, 17 May 2017 22:42:29 +0000

I also do the same as Kelsey and Carole withe holding the crimp cover in the rounded part near the tip of the crimping pliers and going very slow and gentle, turning the crimp cover with gentle pressure. Also, I use 3mm crimp covers over the Softflex 2x2mm sterling silver crimps. The Softflex crimps have thicker walls and just work better. Sometimes I cover the crimp with several small jump rings instead of a crimp cover. I liked Allison’s idea of using the Hill Tribe Silver beads and will have to try it! Good luck!

By: Barbara Solomon

Barbara Solomon — Wed, 17 May 2017 05:00:46 +0000

Hi to everyone!

Thank you for all the replies.

I’m sure I’ll find the solution, with all your suggestions!

If you squash a beads cover, you can get them off with an awl. Just be careful you don’t stab yourself.

I have noticed that the fancy department stores, like Neiman-Marcus, don’t use SoftFlex type wire to string their necklaces, so they don’t have this problem. By looking at their website, I couldn’t find any signs of crimps. Their necklaces do use smaller diameter beads.

Barbara

By: Alice Ryan

Alice Ryan — Wed, 17 May 2017 02:20:13 +0000

I use regular size crimping pliers for the crimp itself, then use the Mighty Crimper’s rounded part at the front to hold, then close the crimp cover. Works every time for me. The crimps that work the best are from Soft Flex; they are better than those I’ve tried from Beadalon or Beadsmith or anywhere else. Their crimp covers are also superior to any others I’ve used. My Tornado crimps always have sharp edges that absolutely have to be covered. I’ve been making jewelry for 20 years & I think I’ve tried everything out there, but of course, it’s still just my opinion. Good luck!

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 17 May 2017 01:01:05 +0000

I never had good luck with crimp covers. Besides the difficulty in getting them exactly closed without any marring, the look isn’t always what I want. By happy accident, I found my solution. Hill Tribe Thai Silver tube beads. The seams are not soldered, and the beads come in different sizes. I gently open them and close them over my crimps. Pretty, and the pure silver has a softer, less shiny appearance, which blends in better on many of my pieces..

By: Susie

Susie — Tue, 16 May 2017 23:46:09 +0000

I use my flat nose or chain nose pliers to close them and I buy 6 to 7 mm crimp covers for a 2mm crimp bead. The larger covers seem to work best for me vs the smaller crimp covers. Rio grande is the only place I have found the 6 to 7 mm size.

By: wac

wac — Tue, 16 May 2017 21:07:49 +0000

Use a crimping pliers (as stated above), but coat the business end with Tool Magic. And slow and easy wins every time.

By: Lynn L.

Lynn L. — Tue, 16 May 2017 19:39:48 +0000

I do the same thing as Kelsey and Carole and I don’t end up with dented crimp covers. Do it slowly and gently.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 16 May 2017 19:09:23 +0000

I actually hold the clam crimp in the groove of my crimp tool to apply it and then gently squeeze the pliers til the ends are closed, or nearly closed. Then I pull off the pliers and reinsert with the closed seam inside the crimp groove and squeeze gently til I wont move any farther. My crimp is usually a perfect ball with a pretty straight edge seam lying right together. Dont know why this works for me, but like you, I use to get a tangled mess of overlap bends and squishes. Im a hobbyist too, just making all my own fab pieces that I like but I do like them to be well made. Good luck.

By: Carole

Carole — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:43:49 +0000

I totally agree with Kelsey. I have found that method to work the best. The main thing is go very slowly so you can adjust the cover in the plier if it starts to go a bit sideways.

By: Sarah Duncan

Sarah Duncan — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:22:59 +0000

I’ve got a pair of pliers that squeezes the crimp so it makes a neat ball. It takes a few goes to be accurate every time, but once you’ve got the hang of it you end up with a pretty sterling silver bead instead of the crimp.. It’s by one of the main makes like Vintaj or Beadalon, and if I remember rightly, it only works with 2mm sterling crimps. It’s made a huge difference to my making as I never managed to get the crimp cover on correctly..

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 16 May 2017 11:31:41 +0000

I could swear I saw a tool for closing crimp covers out now. Has anyone else seen this or am I dreaming and hoping?! I totally hear you about denting and overlapping crimp covers, makes me nuts!

By: Barbara MacDougall

Barbara MacDougall — Tue, 16 May 2017 11:08:55 +0000

I use two sizes of crimping pliers, the smaller pair to crimp, and the larger pair to close the crimp cover.. Unfortunately I have no idea what sizes the pliers are — I bought them ten years ago and totally by accident (probably by picking up the “wrong” pliers!) came up with this seriously foolproof method.

I also only use 4mm plated crimp covers as they are much thicker and stronger versus using sterling crimp covers, which almost always squash and dent no matter how careful I am. I buy in bulk and I can’t remember if my supplier’s crimp covers are from Beadalon or Beadsmith. I think it’s Beadalon. I also only use 2x2mm copper crimps, which have a thicker wall than other types of crimps and don’t crack and split when crimping.

If you’re in the Toronto area, I’ll be teaching this and other tips and tricks at The Gem Expo at the end of July. I get lots of ooohs and ah hahs when I show people how to do this.

Barbara

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Mon, 15 May 2017 17:29:43 +0000

In reply to KelsyC. Thanks for that great tip, KelsyC! :)

By: KelsyC

KelsyC — Mon, 15 May 2017 17:28:31 +0000

I find that using the rounded opening of my crimp bead pliers to close my crimp cover makes it less likely to get dented or overlap.

By: Barbara Solomon

Barbara Solomon — Sun, 14 May 2017 02:58:03 +0000

Hi,
Thanks for that suggestion. Unfortunately the coil doesn’t work, because there is a wire guardian, a bead and then the crimp.
I plan to make sterling clasps and I hate to think what the silver would cost for the coils!
The solution is very simple, if someone would only develop something that would make a squashed crimp cover look artistic!
Just working with wire is so much easier!
At least the squashed crimp covers, prove the necklace wasn’t machine made.
I just realized that in the future, I might be able to replace the bead between the wire guardian and the crimp, with a large holed bead, on a necklace with large beads. That still leaves me with the problem of what to do on dainty necklaces.
Barbara Solomon

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Sat, 13 May 2017 20:01:38 +0000

Hi Barbara! I completely understand your experience with the standard crimp covers. Here are two solutions that may work for you. Here's a way to make your own crimp covers in any size and any metal color: How to Make Crimp Bead Covers (Tutorial) And you mentioned the large-hole bead solution didn't work for your particular situation, but you might want to see the examples here: A Pretty Crimp Bead Cover Alternative