What pliers do you recommend for different sizes/gauges of jump rings?

Choosing the right tools for any given project relies on many factors including ring size, wire gauge, metal and good ol' personal preference.  We asked three of our chainmaille experts to share their favorite Blue Buddha pliers to work with in all the scenarios below.  We hope these tables help you decide which pliers might be best for your next project.  They should also begin to paint of picture of what each plier is really best for.

Happy Weaving!


Pliers recommended in this table: Euro Tool Ergo, Euro Tool Ultra Ergo Chain Nose, Lindstrom Rx

24g/22g/21g Aimee Kat Rebeca
SILV Lindstrom Rx or Ultra Ergo chain nose
Ergos Lindstrom Rx

COPP

Lindstrom Rx or Ultra Ergo chain nose Ergos Lindstrom Rx
JBRS/BRNZ Lindstrom Rx or Ultra Ergo chain nose Ergos Lindstrom Rx

SSTL

Lindstrom Rx or Ultra Ergo chain nose Ergos Lindstrom Rx

 

Pliers recommended in this table: Euro Tool Ergo, Euro Tool Ultra Ergo, Lindstrom Rx

20ga Aimee Kat Rebeca
SILV Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx Lindstrom in tight places, Ergo otherwise. Usually non-coated Lindstrom RX in right hand; coated Ergo in left

NIOB

Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx   Usually non-coated Lindstrom RX in right hand; coated Ergo in left
ALUM/AA Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx Lindstrom in tight places, Ergo otherwise. Usually non-coated Lindstrom RX in right hand; coated Ergo in left

COPP

Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx Lindstrom in tight places, Ergo otherwise. Usually non-coated Lindstrom RX in right hand; coated Ergo in left
JBRS/BRNZ Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx Lindstrom in tight places, Ergo otherwise. Usually non-coated Lindstrom RX in right hand; coated Ergo in left
SSTL Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx Ergo Usually non-coated Lindstrom RX in right hand; coated Ergo in left
EC/EC(S) Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx Lindstrom in tight places, Ergo otherwise. Usually non-coated Lindstrom RX in right hand; coated Ergo in left

 

Pliers recommended in this table: Euro Tool Ergo, Euro Tool Ultra Ergo, Wubbers Medium Flat Nose, Lindstrom Rx, Lindstrom Ex, Tool Magic ("coated")

18/19ga Aimee Kat Rebeca
SILV Ultra Ergo or Wubbers Med Lindstrom in tight places, Ergo otherwise. coated Ergo

NIOB

Ultra Ergo or Wubbers Med   coated Ergo
ALUM/AA Ultra Ergo or Wubbers Med Lindstrom in tight places, Ergo up to L size. After L = Wubbers for better balance coated Ergos OR for larger rings (inner diameter P and up - 5/16" 7.9mm) coated medium or wide Flat Nose Wubbers

COPP

Ultra Ergo or Wubbers Med Ergo up to L size. After L = Wubbers for better balance coated Ergos OR for larger rings (inner diameter P and up - 5/16" 7.9mm) coated medium or wide Flat Nose Wubbers
JBRS/BRNZ Ultra Ergo or Wubbers Med Ultra Ergo, Lrg ring with High AR= Wubbers for better balance coated Ergos OR for larger rings (inner diameter P and up - 5/16" 7.9mm) coated medium or wide Flat Nose Wubbers
SSTL Ultra Ergo, Wubbers Med or Lindstrom EX Rings up to size L = Ultra Ergo, after L = Wubbers coated medium or wide Flat Nose Wubbers
EC/EC(S) Ultra Ergo or Lindstrom Rx Ergo
coated Ergos

 

Pliers recommended in this table: Euro Tool Ergo, Euro Tool Ultra Ergo, Wubbers Medium Flat Nose, Wubbers Wide Flat Nose, Lindstrom Ex, Duckbills

16ga Aimee Kat Rebeca
SILV Ultra Ergos for smaller sizes after size J then Wubbers Med or Wide Ergo or Ultra Ergo up to size L. after L = Wubbers for better balance. coated Wide Nose Wubbers

NIOB


  coated Wide Nose Wubbers
ALUM/AA Ultra Ergos for smaller sizes after size J then Wubbers Med or Wide Ergo or Ultra Ergo up to size L. after L = Wubbers for better balance. coated Wide Nose Wubbers or Ultra Ergos

COPP

Ultra Ergos for smaller sizes after size J then Wubbers Med or Wide Ergo or Ultra Ergo up to size L. after L = Wubbers for better balance. coated Wide Nose Wubbers or Ultra Ergos
JBRS/BRNZ Ultra Ergos for smaller sizes after size J then Wubbers Med or Wide Ultra Ergo up to size L. after L = Wubbers or Duckbills for better balance. coated Wide Nose Wubbers OR for larger rings (inner diameter T and up - 3/8" 9.5 mm) I might use a coated Duckbill in my left hand and a coated Wide Nose Wubber in my right hand
SSTL Lindstrom EX for smaller sizes after size J then Wubbers Med or Wide or Duckbills Ultra Ergo up to size L. after L = Wubbers or Duckbills for better balance. coated Wide Nose Wubbers OR for larger rings (inner diameter T and up - 3/8" 9.5 mm) I might use a coated Duckbill in my left hand and a coated Wide Nose Wubber in my right hand

 

Pliers recommended in this table: Euro Tool Ultra Ergo, Wubbers Medium Flat Nose, Wubbers Wide Flat Nose, Duckbills

14ga Aimee Kat Rebeca
SILV Wubbers Med or Wide Ultra Ergo or Wubbers for larger sizes. Have used duckbills for T14 (AWG) coated Wide Nose Wubbers

NIOB


  coated Wide Nose Wubbers
ALUM/AA Wubbers, Duckbills Wubbers, Duckbills coated Wide Nose Wubbers

COPP

Wubbers, Duckbills Wubbers, Duckbills coated Wide Nose Wubbers
JBRS/BRNZ Wubbers, Duckbills Wubbers, Duckbills coated Wide Nose Wubbers or Duckbills (or combination of both - Duckbill in left h and, and Wubber in right hand)

 

Pliers recommended in this table: Duckbills

12ga Aimee Kat Rebeca
SILV

Duckbills
ALUM/AA Duckbills Duckbills Duckbills