How to Use a Crimp Cover

Crimp covers are a great way to finish jewelry professionally in a flash! Start with a regular crimp bead and finish your project with a folded crimp. Just mashing the crimp tube flat will not work as it will be too wide for the crimp cover to fit over. You should also leave a little more slack than usual so that you have enough room for the crimp cover.

Step 1: Once you have a folded crimp to work with, slide the crimp cover over the crimp so that the crimp tube or bead is inside the crimp cover.

Step 2: Place the jaws of your crimp tool, chain nose pliers, or flat nose pliers around the crimp cover and start squeezing gently. Because the crimp covers are small, it can be tricky to grip them with the crimper at first, so you might try closing the cover part way with flat or chain nose pliers and then switching to the mighty crimper. While you are doing this step you should also watch to make sure that the crimp cover is not closing lopsidedly. If it is, you can correct it by moving your tool to squeeze it a little in the opposite direction. Finish closing the cover by using the front part of the mighty crimpers to squeeze it shut while keeping it round.

Step 3: If the crimp cover slides on your wire, try using your flat or chain nose pliers to close the seam tightly. There you go; instead of a crimp you have what looks like a seamed 3mm bead.