How to use the bail forming pliers tutorials

There are many tools you can use to coil wire and make consistent sized loops. The bail forming pliers is yet another option which can help you make connectors, clasps, ear wires and jump rings. I bought the large sized bail forming pliers because I already had other tools like the 3 step loop forming pliers and wanted to avoid duplication. It makes two different sizes of rings - 9 mm and 7 mm.

The inspiration for this tutorial are these beautiful cubic zirconia fans  from Art Bead's cubic zirconia collection. These are not flat at all and presented a design challenge! They are shaped and holed such that depending on which side you display, the fan can be broadside down or up. They are on the small side (18 mm x 12 mm) so I used the bail forming pliers to make some decorative figure 8 connectors for this wire working project. For earring inspirations check out Tammy Powley's CZ faceted fan earring tutorial.

Making Connections
First cut about 4 1/2 " of 20 G wire. Straighten it if necessary. Grasp the wire somewhere close to the middle.

Now wrap one end completely around one cylinder - I've rotated the pliers anticlockwise to show the wire ends going in opposite directions.

Take the wire end on the right and wrap it around the other cylinder and down the other side.

Now this is the part which I suspect frustrates people. Take the wire form off the pliers and you can see it looks unfinished. The trick IS to remove it and reinsert the pliers to complete the formation.

First reinsert one of the cylinders.

Now take that wire end and wrap it completely around the cylinder.

Do the same for the other loop. Now you have the figure 8 connector!

You can trim the wires close to the middle of the figure 8. I chose to leave a bit more wire to do some decorative loops.

Some light hits with a plastic mallet or harder flattening whacks with a hammer will work harden the work.

Here is the completed necklace focal featuring the cubic zirconia fan. I wired three of these connectors to a simple double eye looped wire bearing the fan pendant and some clear crystals. All it needs is two chain lengths on either side and the clasp to complete it!

Making Clasps
As the bail forming pliers has 2 size loops, you can make S-clasps with them very easily. Cut a 3" length of 18G wire. Make a small loop at one end. Then wrap that end around one of the cylinders of the pliers.

Don't complete round the wire around the cylinder. You need a straight part to the clasp. So grasp the wire as you see in the picture.

Now wrap the rest of the wire around the second cylinder as far as it will go. Trim the wire and form a small loop.

Bring in the looped ends closer to the stem of the S. I hammered my clasp to flatten the big loops and added some decorative wire wrapping.

If you'd like to include a bead in the clasp, check out Sharilyn Miller's beaded clasp tutorial. She is a bail forming pliers virtuoso! I really like how she flattens the ends of the wire before making the small loops.

Making Ear Wires
If you look at the clasp tutorial pictures you will see the beginning of making ear wires! I found the bail forming pliers so easy for this task, I am going to retire my marker pen mandrel and use them instead. The wire doesn't need to be as long as you see in this picture. 2" should do the trick. Use the larger cylinder.

Check out my past tutorial on how to make ear wires with variations for further tips.

Sharilyn also uses the bail forming pliers to make what must be the fastest beaded earrings in history!  Naturally she calls her tutorial the 1-minute earrings! Sharilyn is an international jewelry instructor and has written a number of books which you can check out on her website.

Making Jump Rings
You can also make jump rings in 2 sizes. Check my past tutorial including the video on the 3 -step loop forming pliers to follow the motions required to form the wire around the cylinders.

If you don't have a jewelry saw set up, remember to flush cut the rings properly - alternate the flat side of your pliers as you cut each ring so you get two flat ends per ring.

For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips

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