1/2" Round Bead, 5/32" Hole

Maple Wood Bead — 1/2" (12mm) Round Sphere with 5/32" (4mm) Hole for Crafts and Jewelry

The 1/2" (12mm) maple wood bead is a finely milled, unfinished hardwood sphere designed for crafting, jewelry making, modeling, and functional decorative work. With a centered 5/32" (4mm) drilled hole, it provides dependable threading for cord, wire, or pipe cleaners while maintaining consistent shape and clean edges. Its dense maple construction offers reliable durability with a smooth surface that welcomes painting, staining, or sealing for personalized project applications.

Key Features

• Smooth tumble-sanded surface requires little to no prep before finishing
• Uniform 1/2" (12mm) diameter with ±0.01" tolerance for batch consistency
• Cleanly centered 5/32" (4mm) hole for easy threading and reliable fit
• Hard maple composition (~1450 Janka) resists dents, splitting, and wear
• Lightweight size ensures ease of handling and bulk crafting use
• Unfinished natural wood provides maximum flexibility for painting, staining, or custom finishes
• Seamless rounded edges for improved aesthetics and safer handling
• Kiln-dried wood reduces risk of warping or cracking over time
• Works with most cords, wires, and pipe cleaners of 4mm diameter or smaller

Specifications

• Diameter: 1/2" (0.5") / 12 mm
• Hole Diameter: 5/32" (0.156") / 4 mm
• Shape: Round sphere
• Material: Dense maple hardwood, fine-grain
• Finish: Unfinished, tumble-sanded smooth
• Weight (each): Approx. 0.16–0.32 oz (4.5–9 g)
• Tolerance: ±0.01" (±0.25 mm)
• Hole Placement: Center-drilled, through-hole
• Grain: Subtle, fine closed maple grain
• Edge Quality: Fully rounded, seamless
• Moisture Content: Kiln-dried
• Pack Sizes: 100 / 1,000 / bulk quantities
• Strength: Decorative or light structural use only

Suggested Uses

At 1/2", these maple beads are the sweet spot—big enough to notice, small enough to string in clusters. Jewelry makers use them for necklaces, chunky bracelets, or accent beads within macramé wall hangings. Makers crafting models and miniatures find them perfect for small knobs, wheels, or abstract design elements that need a naturally rounded form. Teachers can press them into service as abacus beads, Montessori manipulatives, or DIY math counters (always supervised, of course). Seasonal decorators paint them into ornaments, holiday garlands, or rustic farmhouse-style bowl fillers. They also double as creative DIY game pieces, or even as custom dice when paired with a clever finishing technique. Parents and kids alike enjoy painting or staining them for simple crafting afternoons, while hobbyists push the limits by testing them as rolling toy parts or detail work in furniture accents. For an unusual project, try designing a set of personalized napkin ring holders by stacking and finishing these half-inch maple spheres for a practical but artful table accessory.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will 4mm cord or wire fit through the hole?
  Yes, the hole is drilled to 5/32" (4mm), making it compatible with most cords, wires, and pipe cleaners of that size or smaller.
• Are the beads ready for painting or staining right away?
  Yes, the tumble-sanded finish provides a smooth surface that accepts paint, stain, or sealer without additional prep.
• Can these be re-drilled for larger openings?
  Yes, maple is durable but workable and allows safe re-drilling to accommodate larger or custom project requirements.
• Are these safe for children’s craft projects?
  They are not certified toy-safe and may pose a choking hazard for children under 3. Supervision is recommended for classroom or family use.
• Do they arrive fully rounded with smooth edges?
  Yes, each bead has fully rounded, seamless edges and a tumble-sanded surface for consistent quality.
• Can these be engraved or woodburned?
  Yes, though the spherical shape may require a steady hand, the hardwood accepts engraving and light pyrography well.
• How uniform are the beads in larger packs?
  Each pack is batch sorted with a ±0.01" tolerance, ensuring reliable uniformity across larger orders.
• Will they crack over time?
  No, the kiln-dried wood helps resist moisture-related warping and cracking when stored properly indoors.
• Can I order bulk quantities for classrooms or workshops?
  Yes, pack sizes include 100, 1,000, or custom bulk orders for larger-scale projects.

The 1/2" maple wood bead combines strength, consistency, and smooth finishing qualities, making it a dependable choice for a wide range of creative uses. Its accurate dimensions and quality hardwood construction ensure confidence for both small-scale crafts and professional applications.