Page 4      Making Loops in Jewelry Wire Jewelry Making Technique

The final looping error that we should discuss is making the wrong size loop.  Obviously it is important that the loops in a jewelry component be approximately the same size.  With most patterns on our WigJig tools, the loop must be just slightly larger than the peg for that WigJig tool. 

The size of the loop made is determined by where you grasp the wire on your round nose pliers.  If you make your loop with the wire grasped closer to the tips of the jaws of your pliers, your loop will be smaller.  If you grasp the wire closer to the jaws of the wire, your loop will be bigger.  For this reason, consistency is important.  You need to get into the habit of grasping the wire at the same point on your pliers every time. 

There is a tool that can help with making consistently sized loops.  It is a tool that we use all the time, called Step Jaw Pliers.  Step Jaw Pliers are pliers with one rounded jaw with three steps and one flat jaw.  The rounded jaw having three steps will always make loops in one of three sizes.  This makes it much easier to be consistent.  The flat jaw will not leave a mark on the outside of the loop because the flat face of this jaw spreads the gripping force over a larger area.  (Please note that there are some brands of Step Jaw Pliers that have a concave jaw along with the stepped jaw.  This is a tool that was invented by someone who doesn't use step jaw pliers.  Unfortunately the tool with the rounded jaw leaves two marks on your wire at each edge of the concave jaw.  We strongly recommend that you avoid this tool.) 

Since we started using the Fine Step Jaw Pliers shown in the picture here, we haven't received a single citation from the looping police for improper sized loops.  This tool really helps.  Please visit Page 4A for step-by-step instructions on how to make a "P" loop using step jaw pliers.