Crimping

Crimping is a technique used to attach a clasp to the end of a beaded string. It consists of passing the stringing material, which can be wire, monofilament, or cable, through a crimp bead or crimp tube, around the clasp and back through the crimp. The crimp is then smashed with a crimping tool twice to put pressure on the stringing material. The method of smashing the crimp is quite specific in order to create a nicely shaped crimp.

The tools you will need include a pair of crimp pliers, some crimp beads or crimp tubes, and some bead stringing material. The size of the crimp bead or tube should be just large enough for the string to go through it once, then back through it the second time, forming a loop that will go around the clasp.

To get started, you should apply the crimp and clasp to one end of the stringing material before putting on any beads. Once that is done, string the beads as desired, then apply the other half of the clasp with another crimp.

To apply the crimp, thread it onto the stringing material, wrap the stringing material around the clasp, then back through the crimp in the opposite direction. Pull the stringing material tightly, so that the clasp moves up against the crimp bead.

Holding the short end of the string tight, so the clasp stays tight against the crimp, place the crimp in the slot of the crimp pliers closest to the handle (the back slot.) Be sure the two strands of string are laying side by side in the crimp, not crossed over eachother. Then press the pliers firmly. The crimp should resemble a crescent moon.

Next, turning the crimp 90 degrees, place it into the outer slot of the crimping pliers (the one nearest to the tip of the tool.) Press the pliers firmly again. This second compression should round the crimp.

It may take a little practice to get the procedure right, as you learn how much pressure to apply. Be sure to test the security of the crimp closure, pulling on the cord. If it comes undone, you should redo the crimp. Once you are sure the crimp is secure, then trim the short end of the stringing material close to the crimp, or thread it through the end bead and trim close to that bead.

Some people like to hide the crimp in a bead with a large hole at the end of the bead string. Although the crimp will slide back and forth into this end bead, it is not possible to totally hide the crimp, due to the room on the string required to place the crimping pliers at the final crimp.