Making consistent wire loops is one of the most important skills in wire jewelry making, and one that many beginners struggle with. Loops can easily end up uneven, teardrop shaped, or different sizes when using traditional round nose pliers.
A tool that makes this process much easier is 6-step looping pliers. These pliers help create perfectly round and consistent loops without the guesswork of positioning the wire along a tapered jaw. The pair I use most often are the 6-step looping pliers from the Beadsmith.
This article explains what 6-step looping pliers are, how they work, and why they are one of the easiest tools for improving your wire jewelry loops.
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What Are 6-Step Looping Pliers
6-step looping pliers are a type of round nose plier designed with six cylindrical steps built into the jaws. Each step forms a different loop size.
Unlike traditional round nose pliers, which taper from small to large, these pliers provide fixed loop sizes. When you place the wire on the same step each time, you create loops that match exactly.
These tools are sometimes called bail making pliers because they are also used to form pendant bails.
Typical loop sizes on 6-step pliers include small loops for headpins and connectors, medium loops for decorative accents or jump rings, and larger loops that can be used for ear wires or decorative wire shapes. The loop sizes on the 6-step pliers from the Beadsmith range from 2 - 9 mm in size.
Why 6-Step Looping Pliers Make Better Loops
One of the biggest advantages of 6-step looping pliers is consistency. With tapered round nose pliers, it can be difficult to position the wire at the exact same point each time. Even marking the pliers with a Sharpie does not always guarantee identical loops.
Step pliers solve that problem because each step has a fixed diameter. As long as you place the wire on the same step, the loop will always be the same size.
This makes them especially helpful when making multiple wire links for rosary chains, earrings, or bracelets where matching loops are important.
They are also very helpful for beginners. Many new jewelry makers struggle to form round loops because the wire tends to slide along tapered pliers. The cylindrical steps guide the wire into a round shape automatically.
Wire Sizes That Work Well with Looping Pliers
6-step looping pliers work with a wide range of jewelry wire gauges.
I commonly use them with 26 gauge, 24 gauge, and 22 gauge wire when making bead links and loops above headpins. They also work well with thicker wire such as 20 or 18 gauge copper when making ear wires or larger decorative loops.
Very thin wire sometimes raises concerns about slipping between the jaws, but in practice most standard jewelry wire gauges work well.
Projects You Can Make with 6-Step Looping Pliers
These pliers are designed for loops, but they can also be used to create several common wire jewelry components:
• bead links for rosary chains
• earring wires
• pendant bails
• wire coils for jump rings
• decorative wire shapes
How to Make a Wire Loop with 6-Step Pliers
Making a loop with 6-step pliers is very similar to using round nose pliers.
Start by cutting and straightening your wire. Choose the step on the pliers that matches the size loop you want to create.
Insert the end of the wire between the jaws so the wire sits flush with the edge of the step. Hold the wire firmly with the pliers and rotate the pliers away from you. This wraps the wire around the cylindrical step and forms the loop.
Continue turning until the loop closes.
How to Make a Wrapped Loop with 6-Step Looping Pliers
If you are making a wrapped loop above a bead, bend the wire at a right angle above the bead first. Place the wire on the selected step, rotate the pliers to form the loop, and then wrap the remaining wire around the neck of the loop. You can even leave the loop on the jaws of the pliers while you wrap the neck under the loop.
How to Make a Wire Coil with 6-step Looping Pliers
You can also use 6-step looping pliers to make neat wire coils. Choose the step that matches the diameter you want and place the end of the wire against the mandrel. Wrap the wire around the step several times, keeping the wraps close together. Slide the coil off the pliers when you are finished. The coil can be cut into evenly sized jump rings or used as a decorative wrapped element.
Coils can be made with round nose pliers or a mandrel, but the stepped jaws make the process easier. The cylindrical steps keep the coil diameter consistent, and you do not have to pinch the wire against a separate mandrel while wrapping. This makes it faster to produce tight, even coils.
How to Make Earring Wires with 6-Step Looping Pliers
You can also use 6-step looping pliers to make simple earring wires. Start by making the small loop that will hold the dangle. Place the end of the wire on one of the smallest steps and rotate the pliers to form a loop.
Next, position the wire next to the larger step you want to use for the curve of the ear wire. Rotate the pliers so the wire bends around that step to form the smooth hook shape that goes through the ear.
For matching earrings, cut two equal lengths of wire and align the ends. Form the loops and curves at the same time by bending both wires together on the same steps. This helps ensure the ear wires match in size and shape.
After shaping the hook, trim the end of the wire if needed and lightly file the tip so it is smooth and comfortable to wear.
Limitations of 6-Step Pliers Compared to Round Nose Pliers
While 6-step looping pliers are extremely helpful, they do not completely replace round nose pliers.
The biggest limitation is that loop sizes are fixed. You can only make the six sizes built into the tool. Tapered round nose pliers allow you to make loops of any size.
Round nose pliers are also better for forming tapered shapes and gradual curves in wire designs.
For that reason, most jewelry makers keep both types of pliers in their tool collection.
Why I Use These Pliers Frequently
Even though round nose pliers are considered a basic jewelry tool, I often reach for 6-step looping pliers first when making loops.
They help create cleaner loops that match from piece to piece. They also make it easier to work quickly when creating multiple links or repeated components.
For beginners especially, they remove much of the frustration that comes from trying to form round loops by hand.
Frequently Asked Questions about 6-Step Looping Pliers
What are 6-step looping pliers used for?
They are used to make consistent wire loops for bead links, ear wires, pendant bails, and other wire jewelry components.
Are looping pliers the same as bail making pliers?
Yes. The terms are often used interchangeably because the pliers can be used both to form loops and to make pendant bails.
Are 6-step looping pliers better than round nose pliers?
They are better for making consistent loops of the same size. Round nose pliers are more versatile to make a range of different sized loops.
What wire gauge works best with 6-step looping pliers?
Most jewelry wire between 26 gauge and 18 gauge works well depending on the strength of the pliers and the type of metal used.
Related Tutorials
If you are learning wire jewelry techniques, these project tutorials using the 6-step looping pliers may also be helpful.
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