How does one know which exact type of pliers she needs?

Jewelry pliers are one of jewelry tools that jewelry designers simply cannot go without. It goes without saying that it makes the process of creating jewelry a lot easier. But how does one know which exact type of pliers she needs? After all, there are four kinds of basic types of pliers, and they are round nosed pliers, flat nose pliers, side cutters, and chain nosed pliers.

1) Tip size – For very delicate work with finer wire, slimmer pliers with a fine tip will work the best. For heavier wire, you’ll want wider, heavier jaws. Make sure to observe the tolerances of the pliers that you are using – don’t use a fine tipped pliers on heavy wire or you’ll damage the tips.

2) Tension springs – there are some jewelry pliers, which have a spring to keep the jaws apart, while others have a single or double leaf spring, or no spring at all. These tension springs cut down on fatigue if you use your pliers a lot. Pliers without springs cause you to open and close the pliers manually, which may cause hand strain. If your hands tire easily or you do a lot of plier work, get jewelry pliers with springs.

3) Jaw length – Short jaw pliers are thicker and stronger. They are designed to work with the tip for fine work, and can bend heavier materials. Long jaw pliers have less taper per millimeter than short jaw pliers, and have a greater reach to make a longer bend. They have longer handles for better balance and greater leverage. Because of the length, the tips are not as strong as the short jaw pliers, and can be damaged more easily.

4) Metal – There are two types of metal pliers:

a) Stainless steel is rust resistant. It is a tough metal that gives reasonable life and is a good value for the money. The jaws can nick with use, so they may require some maintenance.

b) Hardened tool steel is the hardest, strongest, longest lasting material. The jaws are tough and resist nicking with normal use. The downside is that it has a tendency to rust in humid environments, so it should be treated periodically with Cosmoline or WD-40 to coat the metal.

5) Feel – The final determination of whether pliers will work for you is how they feel in your hand. They have to fit well so you have complete control of them. You can have the best pliers made, but if they don’t feel good in your hand, you won’t be happy with them – and you may wind up with an injury.

Source from: http://www.beadinfashion.com/which-exact-type-of-pliers-one-needs/