Bead Reaming 101

This is a post that I previously published on the Objects and Elements blog and thought you might enjoy here:

Here's the scenario:  You're in your studio, working away in a creative fugue.  The piece you're creating is completely inspired and everything is going smoothly until you decide to add a string of wire wrapped pearls to the piece.  The pearls are lovely but, darn!...those tiny holes are way to small for the gauge of wire you want to use.  Not to worry...grab your electric bead reamer and the problem is easily solved.

 

The electric bead reamer is one of those tools that, at first glance, you may think is not absolutely necessary for your studio but, I promise you, you will use it...a lot!  This tool is not a drill, so you won't be creating a hole where there was none but it's a must-have for beads that are drilled too small or holes that have been clogged.  It's especially handy for enlarging the holes in pearls, which are always drilled very small.  The diamond coated bit works easily and quickly.    It's very important when using the electric reamer to work under water.  I know this sounds scary...water and electricity...but it's necessary in order to keep the bead and bit cool and to contain those tiny flying particles that can be toxic.

 

I use a shallow plastic container and fill it with an inch or less of water;  just enough to cover the bead I'll be reaming.  You won't be immersing the motor of the reamer but just the tip.  I repeat:  do not immerse the motor!

 

I have a dedicated pair of small, inexpensive pliers that I use for reaming.  I've used the very high tech method of wrapping the jaws in masking tape to prevent my beads from being scratched.  I'm sure there are fancier ways of holding your bead but, this is my quick fix.  As you can see from the photo above,  there isn't much water in the container.  Insert the tip of the reamer into the bead before turning on the power.  It may be easier to hold the bead against the side of the container so that it doesn't wiggle and spin.  I usually ream through one side of the bead, flip it, and do the other side.

 

You'll get a considerably larger hole (bead on the left) by using the reamer and your choices in wire gauge won't be limited any longer!

Comments

[Morna Crites-Moore]

What a treat to stumble upon this very helpful post. Like many others, I have been reaming by hand, which is a pain in the neck. And that means I usually don't bother - so I end up using a gauge I don't really want to use, or I skip the pearls. Neither is a happy solution! After reading your post, I was all set to buy a reamer, but now that I've read the other comments, I am wondering about whether I can use my Dremel.

[Jennifer Dixon]

Thanks for the hint on the bead reamer. I just got mine in the mail a couple days ago and I think today will be the day to try it! :)

Jennifer

[Madelina]

Thanks for the info! I had picked up a bead reamer and while using it, it just shut off and I can't get it to work ...have you ever had this happen to you? If so, how did you fix it? Thanks for your help!!

[Cindy]

I can't tell you how many times I used a different gauge of wire because of a pearl hole being too small...and I'd rather use the large gauges. This was a wonderful tutorial, Deryn. I don't have one of these YET, but that's gonna change! :-)

[Christine Damm]

You really covered all the issues with using this tool-- especially the tape-covered pliers-- I wouldn't have thought of that! Very useful and now I have a reason to spend on this little goodie. Thanks, Deryn.

[Mary Franzenburg]

wow thanks for the info! I would not have thought of using water. I have had problems with splitting pearls in half while reaming - by hand. Do you know if I could use my Dremel for the reaming? Do you use a Dremel? Thanks again for sharing - your blog is my favorite.

[Lana]

Deryn ~ I didn't know there were ELECTRIC bead reamers! Thank you for posting this. I made a necklace a while back and after laying out the design and starting to put it together, I realized the wire was too large for my pearls. I used a hand reamer and had blisters afterwards and my fingers were so sore! I think I'll have to get one of those very soon.
Have a lovely weekend! :)

[Dale]

i usually use my hand reamer with my beads. It takes a long time, but gets done.... eventually. To have a nice electric reamer like this.... wow.

[Diana B]

Is there any reason you couldn't just use diamond reamer bits or twist bits in a flexshaft or Dremel, instead of buying a separate tool like this?

[Lisa Bommarito]

Loved this, but do you have a tool for reaming rubies, emeralds, labradorite...?
Muah,
Lisa

[Renate]

I have a bead reamer in the old fashioned style - meaning no electric motor. Have to do the reaming myself. Thanks for sharing your method.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Deryn!

[sandra]

cool, i still use my manual bead reamer. i may just have to get one of these.

[Emanda]

Wow, what a great tool! I have had trouble trying to ream beads only to split them into "cabs" very frustrating! Who knew there was a cool too to take care of that?!

Emanda

[Elise B.]

thank you..i JUST went through this! I made a necklace for a friend and wanted to use pearls...i tried to use the hand reamer and got NOWHERE and had to give up on the idea of using pearls in the piece...it was pretty frustrating!

[Dede Warren]

This is so funny... I LOVE that you repeated twice not immerse the motor! It's funny what we will do when we don't fully understand what the heck we are doing! Love it!

[Angie B]

Wow that is an incredibly helpful post. I have always wondered how to to use one of these. Thank you so much.

Angie

[Danette Darbonne]

Thank you, very informative. I recently had this very problem but had to get around it by using a smaller gauge wire. I prefer this fix method. Thanks again.
♥Danette