Before my most recent trip down South, I didn't really notice what kind of pliers I used. They were the run-of-the-mill ones you can pick up at any bead shop or bead show. While I was helping Cynthia with her book, I was fortunate enough to use her tools. Today I started a simple wire-wrapping project and after a couple of minutes I definitely felt the difference. She's got a set of Lindstrom Pliers, in particular the Lindstrom Precision Tools Rx series, and they feel like heaven in comparison to my old ones. The Lindstrom pliers have ergonomic handles that really reduce the impact on your wrists. (They are also so sturdy that they can easily bend and manipulate stainless steel wire!) Lisa Kan also carries a set of magic Japanese cutlery-grade steel ones, but I haven't used them myself. I wonder if they'd do the trick since they're designed for finer gaged wires. Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm looking to upgrade and I wire-wrap a lot! A good set of pliers can get pretty pricey and I want to make sure that I invest my money wisely.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Pliers...
Before my most recent trip down South, I didn't really notice what kind of pliers I used. They were the run-of-the-mill ones you can pick up at any bead shop or bead show. While I was helping Cynthia with her book, I was fortunate enough to use her tools. Today I started a simple wire-wrapping project and after a couple of minutes I definitely felt the difference. She's got a set of Lindstrom Pliers, in particular the Lindstrom Precision Tools Rx series, and they feel like heaven in comparison to my old ones. The Lindstrom pliers have ergonomic handles that really reduce the impact on your wrists. (They are also so sturdy that they can easily bend and manipulate stainless steel wire!) Lisa Kan also carries a set of magic Japanese cutlery-grade steel ones, but I haven't used them myself. I wonder if they'd do the trick since they're designed for finer gaged wires. Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm looking to upgrade and I wire-wrap a lot! A good set of pliers can get pretty pricey and I want to make sure that I invest my money wisely.
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7 comments:
These look like heaven! Every beaders dream!! ive gotta save my cash!
I love my Lindstron Rx tools. I also have Tronex cutters that are pretty awesome.
I have Lindstrom pliers, but I actually use Eurotool's red and black handled line called EUROnormic 2K (beware--this is a pdf link, the pliers are located on the bottom right hand corner of page 111), which retail at about $20 per pair. They are ergonomic, and awesome. They have shorter jaws than the Lindstrom pliers, which means that making average size loops is a little easier. I love the Lindstrom pliers, but sometimes I don't need jaws that long, y'know?
I recommend the Lindstrom pliers. I got mine years ago, when I worked at Fusion, and I love them!
Isn't it amazing how much difference a quality tool makes?
Ah yes, Lindstrom definitely seems worth its outstanding rep. I could not afford them but I am pretty happy with the lower priced Rio Grande ones I started with.
The next time that you see us at a show, please stop by the booth and I will show you our Soft Flex pliers. They are made in the USA. I use them day and night and I love them - especially our cutters. :)
Interestingly, you can see what I use in my book, Links, but I would never dare tell you out loud on your blog what I use.
Why? Because it's a really touchy subject,oddly enough!
me!
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