Bead Stringing Basics - What to Use, A Few Tips, Which Beading Threads Are Good and Which Are Not

Beading and jewelery development is a great hobby, which can come to be a great company if you are so inclined. But before you make your name as a major new fashion accessories designer, you have to get to know your basics, and beading threads are both basic and complex. There are a myriad of brand names out there, and it can get very confusing if you are not sure what they are or how you use them. We'll attempt to shed a minuscule light on the subject.

Nylon wire

Drill Bits Accessories

Nylon wire is a particular coast of nylon plastic in a definite diameter. It is strong and cheap but a minuscule inflexible and doesn't knot so well, as kinks form admittedly at the knots. Nylon wire comes in a wide range of colours and gauges or thicknesses, and the colourless range is great for using as an invisible thread when you want the beads to be the main highlight and to appear to float on the body. Brand names contain Fireline and Nymo. Not to be confused with nylon thread, which is the multi coast twisted thread you might see in beading and sewing applications.

Bead Stringing Basics - What to Use, A Few Tips, Which Beading Threads Are Good and Which Are Not

Best Price Dewalt DW1263 14-Piece Cobalt Pilot Point Twist Drill Bit Set

Dewalt DW1263 14-Piece Cobalt Pilot Point Twist Drill Bit Set Feature

• Durable, cobalt bits offer pilot point design for improved performance and reduced walking
• Industrial-grade ABS case with interlocking hinge protects bits and holds up over time
• Unique bit retention system keeps bits in place and makes different sizes easy to identify
• Sliding rubber lock keeps case closed during transport and storage
• Includes case, drill bits in these sizes: two 1/16-inch, 5/64-inch, two 3/32-inch, 7/64-inch, two 1/8-inch, 9/64-inch, 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch, 7/32-inch, 1/4-inch, and 5/16-inch

Dewalt DW1263 14-Piece Cobalt Pilot Point Twist Drill Bit Set Overview

The DeWalt DW1263 14 Piece Cobalt Split Point Bit Assortment includes a selection of commonly used bits that have been precision crafted to provide improved durability and faster cutting. Featuring a pilot point tip design that reduces walking at startup to provide you with more precise performance, these industrial-strength Cobalt bits make quick work of tough tasks like drilling through stainless steel. And they come neatly packaged in a heavy-duty case made from industrial-grade ABS material, so you never end up sorting through the bottom of a big tool kit for a bit, only to find that it's been damaged in transport. This durable case also offers an interlocking hinge and a sliding, rubber lock, so you can count on it to stay closed and hold up to the test of time. Labeled slots for each bit and an advanced bit holder help you stay organized and ensure that you know which bits are which at a glance. Included in this kit are two 1/16-, two 3/32-, and two 1/8-inch commonly used bits, and bits in 5/64-, 7/64-, 9/64-, 5/32-, 3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-, and 5/16-inch sizes suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

Related Products

• DEWALT DW1361 Titanium Pilot Point Drill Bit Set, 21-Piece
• Neiko Super-Hard 13 Pcs Cobalt Drill Bit Set
• DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Premium Percussion Masonry Drill Bit Set
• DEWALT DW2163 37 Piece Screwdriving Set with Tough Case
• Neiko 3-Piece Titanium Step Drill Bits Set M2 Steel - 28 Sizes, SAE

Customer Reviews

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 14, 2012 11:00:05

Elastic thread

Elastic thread is also made of nylon, but is stretchy and much more flexible. Its ideal for development bracelets and other jewelery without clasps, but make sure you desist any knots with a dab of superglue or they will eventually come undone. Again, this is available in a wide range of colours and diameters. Brands contain Stretch Magic.

Tigertail

Tigertail is several strands of thin steel twisted into a cable then covered with a thin nylon sheath which can be any colour. The amount of strands in the core varies from 3-7 or more, and ordinarily the more strands the good the wire. It also comes in a range of diameters. Tigertail is the strongest option and under normal usage will never break, but it is a bit inflexible and kinks when knotting. Its great for heavier beads, and as the tigertail is not unattractive it can be used in applications where the stringing material is visible. Brands contain Beadalon.

Terylene thread 

Terylene thread is my personal favourite, its a synthetic thread so won't rot, very flexible and has great movement for necklaces, its pretty to look at so doesn't detract from your designs, but it will eventually fray with wear, so you will need to re-string every few years. It comes in a wide range of colours, knots well, and best of all, its cheap! I've not seen whatever else selling this, so can't tell you about any brands.

Natural threads

Cotton or silk, these have great flexibility and are traditionally used in bead stringing, especially the stringing of pearls.They do rot with wear and age, and particularly with damp and chemicals like perfume. Original techniques complex the jeweller knotting in the middle of each bead so that if and when the thread breaks only 1 or 2 beads or pearls were lost, but this makes it high-priced to use when development jewellery.

Thong or cord

Thicker than acceptable stringing materials, thong was mostly used to hang pendants or make decorative knots, such as those in our Chinese knotwork kit. It is used more in bead stringing since pandora beads became popular. Thong can be made of waxed cotton (waxed to waterproof it and make it less susceptible to rot), leather, silk or satin (rattail) and is most ordinarily found in 1mm and 2mm diameters, although it can be sourced in up to 5mm diameter.

Metal Wire

Metal wire comes in a range of colours, finishes, platings, and so on. You can work with base metals or precious metals, depending on your budget and task suitability. One mistake many beginners make is to use metal wire to string their beads, as a necklace cord for example. Metal wire is not suitable for any task where the wire will move and flex, as movement will cause metal fatigue, which means that the wire will break. Wire should only be used for rigid projects such as tiaras, ot to make rigid components in flexible work, such as jump rings and headpins.

Memory wire

Memory wire is made of a springy steel alloy, regularly plated or galvanised in a silver or gold finish. It is used to form choker necklaces and coiled bracelets and rings. It is called memory wire because it retains its shape and is very hard to form into any other shape. To neaten the ends up when you've ended your project, glue a half drilled bead on each end using epoxy resin glue.

Bead Stringing Basics - What to Use, A Few Tips, Which Beading Threads Are Good and Which Are Not

Recommend : Band Saws Woodworking Tools home improvement Levels Hand Tools Pliers Hand Tools