Crimps / Crimp Covers

Crimp beads are soft metal beads used in place of knots to secure clasps and beads onto un-knottable stringing material such as beading wire. To use crimps, you will need some flat nose pliers to squash the crimps, or speciality crimping pliers that "fold" the bead into a small volume. First, thread crimp onto wire.

Hide crimps in a professional way with crimp covers.

Crimp covers are open on one side allowing them to slip over the crimp tube.

Using a Crimp Cover Step 1

Leave a small amount of slack between the crimp tube and the clasp so that the crimp cover can fit nicely over the crimp tube without interfering with the clasp or jump ring.

Using a Crimp Cover Step 2

You may need to use chain nose pliers to open the crimp cover. Do this by inserting the tip of the pliers into the crimp cover, and slowly open the pliers. Open it just enough so that it will fit over your crimp tube.

Using a Crimp Cover Step 3

Slide the crimp cover over the crimp tube so that the crimp tube is inside the crimp cover.

Using a Crimp Cover Step 4

You can use just about any pliers you want to close the cover; however I like to use the mighty crimper tool. You can use whatever is easiest for you. Place the jaws of the mighty crimper, chain nose, or flat nose pliers around the crimp cover and start squeezing gently. Because the crimp covers are small, it can be tricky to grip them with the mighty crimper at first, so you might try closing the cover part way with flat or chain nose pliers and then switching to the mighty crimper. While you are doing this step you should also watch to make sure that the crimp cover is not closing lopsidedly. If it is, you can correct it by moving your tool to squeeze it a little in the opposite direction. Finish closing the cover by using the front part of the mighty crimpers to squeeze it shut while keeping the crimp cover round.

Using a Crimp Cover Step 5