#sponsored For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I formed a thick bezel using my Swanstrom Pliers and Cutters Set (Item #: 111026). exclusively available from our friends at @riogrande. If you are a beginner and looking for a set of pliers to get started or perhaps you are someone looking to upgrade from what you currently have, this set is awesome! They each have Soft-Touch™ sure-grip foam handles that are longer, wider and ergonomically friendly. They have a double-leaf spring that holds the tool open so it’s ready use, I find this so helpful when my other hand is holding a chain or another pair of pliers. There is also knurled jaw-stops on the round nose pliers and flush cutters so you can achieve the same pressure again and again when forming and cutting multiples. Without sounding like a product description here they are made of high-carbon, high-chrome alloy steel—the highest quality tool steel— what does this mean? They are amazing pliers! Yes they are more expensive than some pliers out there but the quality is wayyyyy superior and personally when possible I’d rather have a tool that will last forever than end up in the trash after a few years. They also come in a nifty case for smithin’ on the go! When I am working with 1mm thick wire to create thick bezels I use pliers to form the bezels. This particular stone had a bunch of angles so I used a sharpie to mark the angles and occasionally sawed a little bit into those corners to help bend them. These flush cutters are so sharp and awesome I didn’t need to file the seam before soldering. Huge thank you to Rio Grande for supporting our community with this sponsored post, they are offering this set for $159.99 (regularly $182.99) with code MTLSMTH7 now through 12.31.21, so you have the whole year to take advantage of this deal! The code is a one time use and works on the Hole Punching Pliers (Item # 11785, 111786, 111787, 111788 ) The Forming Anvil (Item # 111720) and the Link Forming Pliers (which sold out but can be back ordered Item # 111000) #riojeweler #swanstrompliers #jewelrytools