Tool Review - Xuron bent nose tweezers

I mentioned in my Bead&Button Show Aftermath post a few weeks ago that I came home with a new Xuron tool - the 450BN bent nose tweezers.  As with the other tools Xuron has been kind enough to give me samples of, I'm posting a review so you can see how neat they are.

Here's a full-length shot of them:

The most important part of tweezers is how well they "tweeze" - how tightly they close.  I've had some really crappy tweezers that wouldn't hold pony bead, so I was excited to see the Xuron tweezers closed:

Yup.  There's no daylight showing at the tips.  That's a good sign.  Each tip is under 1mm wide from this angle.  Maybe a half a millimeter.  It's hard to tell with the rulers I have.

Let's take a look at them from the side:

The jaws are a little more than 1mm wide from this view.

I really like the bent nose on these tweezers.  A few years ago I bought two new pairs of pliers - a chain nose and a bent nose.  For some reason I find it so much easier to work with the bent nose pliers, and I reach for them 95% of the time.  Perhaps it's because I can see things better while I work and seem to have more control.  The other 5% I use the chain nose pliers to justify my having bought them.  :)

Since I brought these tweezers home, I've been using them in place of the bent nose pliers to see if they'd measure up.  I've primarily been using them to open and close loops of earring wires.  I've been a little nervous on the ones with harder wires, but it's been just fine.  The black earring wires I used with the Loosey-Goosey stick spiral fringe earrings and the Faux-Mobius loop spiral earrings are more malleable, so the tweezers worked perfectly, especially when I closed one of the loops too much.  I inserted the tweezer tip into the loop and pulled it back out a little.

The best thing tweezers are for is placing tiny and/or hard-to-control objects like flat-back crystals.  I showed you them in use in yesterday's purple riveted bracelet.  Here's another look at the tweezers in action:

Since then I've played around with the tweezers and some much smaller crystals.

I got a really good grip on the crystal and took pictures of it from a number of different angles:

That sucker didn't slip once, even though I was fumbling with my camera taking pictures one-handed and rotating the tweezers.  I'm really confident that they'd be good for placing crystals in crystal clay projects.  Yes, you'd still have to be careful to not nick the clay with the tips, but that's the case with any tweezer.

As tweezers go, these are top notch.  True, tweezers aren't the most exciting tool in the world, but if you have a crappy pair, they can be very frustrating.  If you do a lot of crystal clay work or need to place tiny, tiny things in precise places, give the Xuron bent nose tweezers a try.  You can find them online, or you can e-mail me at traci@creative-pursuits.biz, and I'll see if I can hook you up.

Tool Review - One Step Big Looper

One of my most popular posts (at over 1300 hits!) is my review of the One Step Looper, a tool that makes consistently-sized loops and cuts the wire at the same time.  I'm excited that so many people have read my review, and I hope that I've helped them make wise purchasing decisions.

As soon as I saw the ad for the One Step Big Looper, I knew I needed to write a follow-up review.  I picked up the tool at the Bead&Button Show and used it within a few days of the show to start my evaluation of it (you can see the earrings I made with it here).

This post is going to reference my previous review, so if you haven't read that, you may want to.  Click here for all the original One Step Looper goodness.  I'm also going to assume you know how the tool works.  If not, check out this video on BeadSmith's website.  It shows making loops with the original One Step Looper, but the same techniques are used for the One Step Big Looper.

Let's take a look at both tools together:

The one with black handles is the original, and the one with green handles is the new one.  I guess I understand why the tools are so wide, but it's hard for me and my stubby little hands to use:

I find it very difficult to hold the pin while I start squeezing the tool.  I need to either rest part of the tool against my body or use both hands.  I know my hands are smaller than most women's, so maybe this would only affect a small percentage of users.

Here's a close-up view of the "business" ends of the tools:

The original is on the left, and the new tool is on the right.  You can tell the difference - the peg is twice the size, and the loop and cutting mechanism are bigger.

One problem I referenced in my previous review was the loop not closing all the way.  In scrutinizing the new tool, I could see that could be a problem here, too:

Perhaps that's due to the wide range of wire gauges the tool works with - 18-24 gauge.

When I was at the Bead&Button Show, I asked a BeadSmith representative to show me how he uses the tool.  Perhaps I wasn't doing something right to have it not close all the way on me.  I don't know what gauge wire he was using - I didn't think to ask until right now, of course - but his loop was pretty much closed all the way.  Michelle (the same Michelle as referenced in the previous review) said it looked like he was squeezing the crap out of the tool.  I'm not sure if those were the exact words she used, but that's close enough.  I tried doing that with mine, and I couldn't get it to close any further.

All of the examples today are using 24 gauge headpins.  I don't seem to have anything thicker.

Without beads, I inserted my headpin into the tool and started squeezing:

I'm getting better at taking pictures one-handed.  :)

The instructions say to bend the wire back a bit to center the loop on the wire:

Here's what that loop looks like once removed from the tool:

The loop isn't closed all the way, and the pin is a bit bent.  I'll show you more of that in a little bit.  I used some pliers to bend things in place, and I have a beautiful loop:

Let's compare loops on new headpins with both tools.  Here they are fresh out of being One Step Looped:

Here's a different angle:

Can you see how things are bent?  It's more pronounced in the big loop, but it's there in the little one, too.  It doesn't take much to bend things in place and to close the loop.  Here's how they look all prettied up and in the right order (little to big):

The small loop is 1.5mm, and the larger one is 3mm.  I prefer the larger loop.

I grabbed a few new headpins and added a bead to each.  I tried holding everything up close to the tool while squeezing, but with this size bead I couldn't get up too close.  I heard grinding on the original, so I backed off just a hair on the new tool.

With smaller beads, there may not be as much of a gap, but you do need to be careful to not crush your beads in the tool.  I noticed in their video that they didn't try to get the loop right on top of the beads.

I don't know what I did differently with the big loop, but I got quite a bend on this pin:

Also, the loop has quite a gap:

That's rare, though.  Usually the loops are much more closed.

I got curious if a larger hand would have better luck at getting non-bent, closed loops.  I asked my husband to try it, and here is the loop he got:

It's better, but there's still a bend to the wire.

To summarize:  Even with the shortcomings, I love this tool.  I do wish that when they increased the size of the loop that they would have made other modifications to shorten the gap between the loop and beads or to close the loop better, but the process is still a whole lot quicker and more consistent than the "old school" way of making loops.  I will not go back to the old way again if I can help it.  I did that recently for a tutorial I was writing, and I hated it.  I looked longingly over at my One Step Looper and said, "Never again!"

I don't know if I want to keep both of the tools.  I could see where different projects would need different sized loops, but for my uses the big loops will be just fine. 

You can find the One Step Big Looper in a number of online vendors, but you might want to check if your local bead store has it in stock before ordering it online.

What do you think of the One Step Big Looper?  Leave a comment here with your impressions and tips.

Tool Review - Easy Knotter

It's the return of the Friday review!

I like the look of knotted necklaces but have shied away from them because of the whole "evenly spaced" thing.  Yeah, I'm sure I could have figured out a way to do it, but there were always other projects catching my eye.  Finally, the awesome power of the alphabet intervened and saw to it that I would get the chance to make evenly-spaced knots.  That will make sense in a moment.

You may remember Reenie Oliveto from Designs by Reenie and her Bracelet Valet from the video I showed you last week.  I also shot a video of her demonstrating her Easy Knotter and brought one home.  I'd been wanting one for about four years and since Reenie was my "next door neighbor" at Meet the Teachers (here's where the "awesome power of the alphabet" comes in - Oliveto was next to Otte), it was a good time to see the tool in use and to get to know her.  She's really nice, and I chatted with her some throughout the Bead&Button Show weekend.

Today I sat down with the Easy Knotter and made my first knotted necklace.

First of all, the tool is packaged very well.  It's in a compact 4" x 6" x 1.5" box (plus a hanging tab) with a bubble wrap envelope for extra padding.  That sucker isn't going anywhere.  I think for storing it I'm going to keep it in the box but not use the bubble wrap.

When you take the tool out, this is what you see:

It's made of durable plastic that's hard to take pictures of.  :)  Every time I tried to take a non-angled picture, all I could see was my lamp.  There are measurements on either side of the center so left-handers as well as right-handers will be comfortable.  Although I'm left handed, I tend to do a number of things right handed, and this is one of them.  I tried it the way a "normal" southpaw would, and I just got confused.  Don't take that as a flaw of the tool.  Take it as a flaw in my spatial anomalies.  (Sorry, Steve is watching Star Trek: Enterprise in the other room.  There are always spatial anomalies in those episodes.)

That round thing you see in the center of the tool is a cover for the post.  It's to protect the post against being bent during storage, I'm sure.  It doesn't screw in (because threads of a screw would fray your thread), so it's a bit loose.  My recommendation is to store your Easy Knotter in its handy-dandy compact box.

Here's the tool without the post's cover:

While there are detailed directions included with every tool (including full color pictures!), I'll give you a quick run-down here and show you a video.  Very simply, the steps are: tie a loose knot, put the loop on the post, slide the string until the last knot is at the right measurement, hold the new knot and remove it from the post, tug to tighten.  To add a knot on the other side of a bead: slide a bead down to the last knot, tie a loose knot on the other side of the bead, put the loop on the post, tug everything tight, hold the bead and the knot, release the hold on the string, lift everything up, and tug.

Yeah, I understand that might be a bit confusing.  Let's look at Reenie in action:

Isn't that much better?  I did need to watch it a few times for the instructions for the knot on the other side of the bead.  I don't know what was wrong with me.  I think I needed a nap.

Before starting your necklace or bracelet, you do need to string on all the beads first.  My recommendation is to choose beads with smaller holes.  I didn't think the holes of my first choice of beads were too large, but the knot slipped right through.  If you have spare string, you might want to test it first.  I wouldn't test with the string you're going to use because you might not be able to get the knot apart.  I know I couldn't.

The instructions call for 0.8mm crimping end caps and explain how to start and end the necklace with them.  I went to Knot Just Beads today, and they had knot covers instead:

After my first knot came unraveled because I trimmed too close to the knot, I triple-knotted and glued it just to be safe.  I guess I'm a bit neurotic.

I was very quickly able to get the hang of the evenly-spaced knots.  The instructions say to tug the new knot in the direction of the last knot.  It always feels like it's sliding while it tightens, but it worked perfectly every time:

I am finding it a bit awkward to hold the bead and the knot when "trapping" the bead.  If I didn't hold things correctly or if I rushed through the knot, I got this:

It doesn't look bad in the grand scheme of things, but it's not ideal.  I found that I could nudge the knots a little this way or that, which helped the beads not look so loosey-goosey.

When I took my time and held the bead and knot correctly, I got this:

In a very short amount of time, I had a nice long necklace:

I got a black silk string from Reenie, but I found I had a few white ones buried in my stash.  I'm glad I did so I could keep my black string for an "actual" project.  I know just what I want to do.

So, what do I think of the Easy Knotter tool?  It's very simple to use once you get the hang of it, and I don't think it needs to be any more complicated.  I've been seeing an ad for new tabletop knotter tool, and that one looks complicated.  It looks like it would take up a lot of room for storage, and nothing in the ad looks like you can measure spaces out between knots.  I like the simplicity and versatility of the Easy Knotter, and I'm certainly glad to not have to clear a space out on my shelves to store it.

To purchase the Easy Knotter, the Bracelet Valet, kits, or supplies (including wonderfully priced silk string and the correct crimping end caps), please visit Designs by Reenie and check her out at shows.  Tell her Traci says hi!

If you have a project made using the Easy Knotter and would like to share it here on my blog, send me pictures and what you think of the tool.  You'll also be entered to win a Xuron 4 in 1 Crimper tool for your other stringing needs!  The giveaway (which is good for all kinds of projects, not just Easy Knotter pieces) runs until June 30th - click here for all the details!

Groovy looping pliers review

I was going to do a witty debate (similar to the Battle of the Split Ring Pliers), but I'm still feeling wiped out from the retreat last weekend.  Yeah, I know, it's been almost a week, but my Fibromyalia is in full control these days.  I'm getting very little done, and what I am getting done is taking 50 times longer than usual.

---

When I started making loops (about 1000 years ago), I was so happy to find round nose pliers (like these).  I could make perfect loops for my earrings and various wrapped loop projects.

I soon found that my loop was perfect, but it didn't necessarily match the loop I made 5 seconds ago.  Each jaw of the pliers is tapered, and if I didn't use the exact spot every time, the loops were different sizes.  One way to get around that is to take a fine-tipped permanent marker and draw a line on the pliers.  That works for a while (as long as the line is thin, and you make sure to go directly on the line or directly to either side of the line), but the mark does wear off.

Perusing Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics one day a few years ago I found what I thought was a perfect solution to this unmatching loop problem:

I don't know what brand these pliers are.  I only remember that they were cheap.  I really need to stop buying cheap tools.  Even though I take care of them and don't get them wet, they rust.  Also, there's truth in the saying, "You get what you pay for."

Here are the looping pliers close up:

Apart from the rust, they look great, right?  There are three stepped loops, and there's a concave lower jaw (I learned it's called that by doing some research online today) to help the loop form.

Let's look at them in action.  I put a headpin in the middle section and gently close the pliers:

Squeezing the pliers creates the beginning of the loop:

If I wanted to, I could continue bending the headpin around to finish the loop.

Still, this seems like a great solution, doesn't it?  However, take a look at the loop close up:

Those arrows point right to nicks in the headpin.  The softer the wire, the deeper the nick.  It's rough to the touch and looks bad.  If I'm really careful and don't close the pliers all the way, I can almost always avoid the nick, but it's more trouble than it's worth.

At the retreat when I made the Celtic Knot earrings, my friends were laughing a little at how big my loops were.  I didn't have the above crappy looping pliers with me.  I had my teeny Wubbers round nose pliers, and I was making loops all the way in the back of the pliers (I was too fried to make a mark so the loops were smaller and all the same size).

Judy handed me her Wolf Groovy Looping pliers, and I fell in love.

One jaw is a tapered round nose like a typical round nose plier, but the other jaw has three notches:

I did take some pictures of me using the pliers, but they weren't very good because my tripod was at home, and we've already determined my one-handed pictures don't turn out well.  I found an excellent tutorial on how to use the pliers for wrapped loops on the Fusion Beads website.  I highly recommend you check that out.

I will show you a few pictures of my first experiences with the pliers so you get the idea of how they work.


I put a few beads on the headpin and used my bent nose pliers to make a 90 degree angle.  I positioned the headpin in the middle notch and used my thumb to bend the wire around the round jaw:

I continued bending the headpin down to create a loop:

I then wrapped the headpin around and trimmed.  Here's the final piece:

Right after taking this picture I said, "Oh, crap!  That was supposed to go on the Celtic Knot component!"  Oops.  It's just as well, because the pictures wouldn't have been clear with the component dangling around.  Yeah, that's what I told myself.  I cut it apart and grabbed a new headpin.  Here are the finished earrings:

I like the Wolf Groovy Looping pliers a lot more than my no-name rusty looping pliers.  There was no nicking of the headpins, and I found the pliers more versatile to use.  If I wanted a size between the notches, I could use the tapered part of the pliers as I would normally use round nose pliers.  Once I got used to how to use them, I finished the above earrings very quickly.

If you're as enamored with this tool as I am, you can purchase the Groovy Looping pliers on the Fusion Beads website here.

Battle of the Split Ring Pliers

Two weeks ago I reviewed my "Bead Buddy" split ring pliers.  If you missed that, you can catch up here.  Since I posted that, I've heard from a few people that they didn't even know this kind of pliers existed, and I think blood has been drawn in the effort to use a sharp pokey thing to assist in separating the rings.

Abby from Xuron is a regular reader of my blog (hi, Abby!), and this week I received a sample of Xuron's split ring pliers (thanks, Abby!).  I e-mailed her to thank her, and I told her I'd have a "Battle of the Split Ring Pliers" and said, "It's on like Donkey Kong!"  I don't know where that came from, but I tickled myself.

---

ARE YOU RREEAADDYY TO SPLIT SOME RRRRRRRRINGS?!?

In this corner... Weighing in at 63.3g... The current champion sporting green handles... The Bead Buddy split ring pliers!  ::crowd roars::

And in THIS corner... Weighing in at 60.8g... The challenger sporting baby blue handles... The Xuron split ring pliers!  ::crowd roars even louder::

::ding ding ding::

As they come together in the middle of the ring, we see the Bead Buddy pliers have a wider stance, making them a little harder to hold for people with smaller hands (including the referee):

Squeezing each of them closed, the referee finds that the Bead Buddy pliers are nowhere near as smooth as the Xuron pliers!  ::crowd makes shocked sounds::

Look out!  Bead Buddy threw a right hook at a passing split ring!  Let's look that in slow motion:

Wow - that looked like a glancing blow, and the separation of the rings is minimal.

Not to be outdone, Xuron - who closely resembles Sam the Eagle of The Muppets - wrenches the ring away from Bead Buddy and takes his own shot at it:

Xuron's approach is a little different - it's more diagonal than horizontal - but he gets right in there and separates the rings much more than Bead Buddy.

What's that?  Xuron knocked Bead Buddy AND a pair of circuit board/resistor earrings out in one fell swoop!

The crowd is going absolutely wild!  We have a winner, folks!  We. Have. A. Winner!  ::holds the Xuron split ring pliers high in the air while dancing around the studio:::

---

I hope you enjoyed that battle as much as I did.  I know you may be thinking that I let the Xuron pliers "win" because they were given to me by Xuron, but they really are a much higher quality of plier than the Bead Buddy ones.  Yeah, you'll pay more for Xuron, but that money goes straight into quality.

It took a little while for me to get used to how the Xuron pliers work (the whole diagonal vs. horizontal thing), but once I did, I really liked it.  Since the ring separation is so much wider, it was easier to move components through, and I didn't have to switch to my bent nose pliers for the last part of it.  I was able to rest the end of the ring against the pliers and push the ring the rest of the way.  The feel of the Xuron pliers is so much nicer, too.  All around it's a wonderful tool.

I do maintain that if you're very rarely going to use split rings, you'd be fine with a Bead-Buddy-caliber plier, but for anyone who will use split rings more than once or twice a year, you would do well to invest in the Xuron pliers.

This is not going to be the case with every tool I review, but I sell these split ring pliers along with the 4 in 1 Crimper and the Fireline scissors.  You can find them at any bead show I go to (see my website for my calendar) or on my Xuron tool shop page for $16 plus $3 shipping.  You can probably find them cheaper elsewhere, but you'll have my undying gratitude, and if there are any problems with the tool, I have a direct line to Xuron.

Now onto the earrings themselves.  The circuit board is from the keyboard I took apart.  There's a picture of the best parts from that keyboard along with a bracelet I made from the silicone sheet here.  I'm in the middle of another bracelet using the silicone sheet - look for that next week!

The resistors Steve bought go well with the circuit board, so I used those as well.  I have 470 resistors left.  Long, long way to go!

If you missed my reviews of other Xuron products, check them out:  "Fireline" scissors and 4 in 1 Crimper.