What is the proper way to clean a bead?

[Bob Torbett]

I have been reading a lot about the need for properly cleaning one's beads. I have a set of diamond reamers, but I can't tell for sure that I have all bead release out. Please Help!!:confused:

Bob

[ShawnLynn]

I havent tried this but ive heard it works, you could use a pipe cleaner to run thru them. It should do the trick. Let me know.......Lynn

[Kevan]

I havent tried this but ive heard it works, you could use a pipe cleaner to run thru them. It should do the trick. Let me know.......Lynn


The pipe cleaners do not work very well. I would suggest getting a diamond jeweler's file. I bought a set of like 8 them from Harbor Freight Tools in different shapes and sizes. for about $10. There is a long pointy one that is just the right size and will go all the way through a long bicone or tube bead. You can get non diamond ones and they work pretty good, but the diamond ones don't rust.

The pipe cleaners just don't have the umph to scrub the stuff off the sides.

[Bob Torbett]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll add to my diamond reamers and files. I've done some 1/8" with a diamond bit in my dremel tool, and it works very well.

Is there any way to polish the mandrel hole so it does'nt look like it has been etched?

bob

[Free2bead]

I just bought a $40 motorized diamond coated bead hole cleaner and am very annoyed with myself for not doing this sooner! The thing is awesome and saves me SOoooo much time... and time is money and who wants to waste time cleaning beads?? It would probably be your best bet for polishing your bead channels too, maybe witha series of fine polishing papers wrapped around the bit. Hmmmm... might work... just musing out loud.

[cmhorvath]

I use my husbands dremmel tool. I bought a special diamond tip for it and it works like a charm. Can't imagine doing it by hand without it....

[chrisdd]

I just bought a $40 motorized diamond coated bead hole cleaner and am very annoyed with myself for not doing this sooner! The thing is awesome and saves me SOoooo much time... and time is money and who wants to waste time cleaning beads?? It would probably be your best bet for polishing your bead channels too, maybe witha series of fine polishing papers wrapped around the bit. Hmmmm... might work... just musing out loud.

I have one, too and adore it!

[margriet@stainedglass.nl]

http://www.beadmaking.nl/beadboortje.jpg

I have placed a special tool on my Tiffany grinder.
This way you can use both hands to hold your bead en the grinder spins

Works great and quickly!