Do you have an ems? Like it? Love it? [Archive]

LyndaJ

2009-02-12, 7:17pm

Love it. Here are a few photos. Sorry if you've seen them before.

It's my most used tool. Keeps my hand from getting sore. Great for shaping. I hadn't been torching long when I got it, so I didn't have set habits to overcome. Certainly within a few weeks, not long to get used to it.

152143 easy to make multiple matched beads on a mandrel with it like this pair
145396 145339 115850 113748 113763

KEW

2009-02-12, 7:38pm

Love it. 1 week to get used to it. Would not want to torch without it.

bousky

2009-02-12, 7:42pm

Ems? Is it a tool?

SadiesJewels

2009-02-12, 7:47pm

Electric Mandrel spinner ... I've been wondering about getting one too. I have to be convinced it'll be worth it and not restrict what I do (like size ... is there a max size?) Does it matter how long your mandrels are?

dichromary

2009-02-12, 8:31pm

I am still on the fence but may get one soon. Especially it now supports 5/64" mandrels.

FishBulb

2009-02-12, 8:34pm

They do sound awesome! I'm hoping to buy a used one when the seller gets their new one.

KarenBeth

2009-02-12, 8:40pm

Oooooo pretty beads. Thanks for posting. I think Im leaning towards getting one. In the long run I think it will be worth it. That 4-6 week wait time is a killer though. Im such an instant gratification type person I dunno if I can do it. Please, if there are others with comments and pics post away. Id love to see and hear more.

SadiesJewels

2009-02-12, 9:15pm

ahh so there's a restriction mandrel size? Is it interchangeable? Can I swap from 3/32 to 5/64 to 1/16?

dichromary

2009-02-13, 12:07am

Hi Sadie, according to the site the regular model supports 1/16" to 3/16" and deluxe model now supports from 1/16" to 11/32" mandrels. I think the regular is all I need.

Here is the link:

http://www.bearfootart.com/catalog.php?category=76

Kym

2009-02-13, 1:03am

My recommendation: Buy the deluxe. I want a bigger one than the petite with more grunt. I think thats my technical problem, not the EMS

Kym

barbaracollins

2009-02-13, 3:23am

Love it! Buy the deluxe! I have a petite with the more grunt!!!

dla

2009-02-13, 4:09am

I bought one of Scott's original EMS's (when he listed his first 10 on Ebay) and I would NEVER give it up ! lol ! I did upgrade to the newer power box. This tool is one of the best things to happen to the lampwork community !
As for getting use to it, just depends on you. Didn't take me long at all. Within a few days. And if you have questions or problems, they have so many video's out now and have THE BEST customer service by far !
Get one ! They are great ! :)

margriet@stainedglass.nl

2009-02-13, 4:33am

Wow, you are al so positive. But what do you like about it, what does it do what you can't do without it?

I am doubting to buy one also.

Mr. Smiley

2009-02-13, 5:25am

I love mine... what does it do? It spins the mandrel for you... much faster and more steady than I could on my own. It's like a little lathe. You can do a lot of beads quick or long beads with ease. I may bust mine out today and play with soft glass. ;)

Scott came up with a real winner when he designed this tool. :love:

Mr. Smiley

2009-02-13, 5:26am

Oh and you really should get the roller marver to use with it... magic! :D

FishBulb

2009-02-13, 7:53am

Brent, is the roller marver the graphite cylinder that I've been seeing at the glass shop but don't know what to do with it?

How do you use it? Especially with an EMS?

KarenBeth

2009-02-13, 7:57am

their rolling marver is brass. you can see it on their site in the link above. if i get the ems, ill be getting that too. looks like a must for bicones.

FishBulb

2009-02-13, 8:12am

Oh, OK... I took a look and that wasn't what I was thinking of.

KarenBeth, if you do get one, make sure you post pics. :D

PolychromeBeads

2009-02-13, 8:52am

La Guera

2009-02-13, 9:47am

I LOVE my EMS. Your hands don't get tired at all, because the EMS is doing all the work (spinning the mandrel) for you. All you have to do is hold it. The ends of my beads became 100% better (puckers) when I started using the EMS. I love the rolling marver also, Raku really pops using it. I had an issue with my EMS and thought I would need a new one, but Scott talked me through it on a Saturday morning no less. I would love to upgrade to a Deluxe EMS, but since this is a very expensive HOBBY for me, I just can't justify it.

Jeanette

KarenBeth

2009-02-13, 11:51am

anyone have any more pics of their beads made with their ems?

LyndaJ

2009-02-13, 12:42pm

[QUOTE=margriet@stainedglass.nl;2375278]Wow, you are al so positive. But what do you like about it, what does it do what you can't do without it?
[QUOTE]

Since it spins in a completely steady way, you can always instantly see if your bead is balanced. It's super easy to have nice tidy, neat ends. STringer and dots melt in more evenly.

I generally shape more with graphite than the rolling marvers. The graphite pulls out less heat from the glass, and graphite gives me longer to get the shaping fixed - I do most of my shaping on my base bead, before decorating. I do like the rolling marvers when I'm fixing the shape on a bead that I've already decorated since you can change the shape without distorting the pattern.

Glowbead

2009-02-13, 12:52pm

What couldn't I do without it? Lampwork beads. Really, my left thumb was getting too painful. It was starting to hurt all the time, not just when I made beads. It took months for the pain to go away completely after I got the EMS, but now it's gone. I'm glad I got the EMS before I did irreversible damage.

SassyGlass9

2009-02-13, 3:50pm

I've never actually tried one (I'd like to), but I held one and it seemed kind of heavy. For me, that is also an issue - my hands may get tired spinning the mandrel, but they'll get tired faster with added weight. Still wondering myself.

Aimee
33293

Aimee, you can try mine at the next meeting - I always bring it if I plan to torch! And it's not heavy at all - there are several ways to hold it to where it just sort of rests in your hand like a pencil - hard to explain, but I can show you.

I am another who LOVES this tool! If I could keep only ONE tool, this would be it, hands down. It allows me to torch much longer than I could otherwise (neck and arm and hand problems) and it also helps enormously in balancing a bead and with shaping. I was a newbie when I bought mine, but I had several months under my best and did know how to make all the basic shapes (round, donut, bicone, etc.) without the EMS. But the EMS made it all soooo much easier to do! You can put several different size mandrels in the spinner, including the mandrels I use to make big hole/pandora style beads.

It's the most amazing tool evah, IMO. :grin: I really believe this tool pays for itself very quickly in so many ways.

River Horse Studio

2009-02-13, 5:08pm

AvenueBeads

2009-02-13, 6:41pm

I got to play with an EMS this week and loved it!!! Seeing as I've been making beads the old fashioned way for years, it felt really different. I couldn't make a round bead with it to save my life. But I'm sure its all in learning the technique. I will for sure be getting one, and the rolling marver.

PolychromeBeads

2009-02-13, 7:52pm

Aimee, you can try mine at the next meeting - I always bring it if I plan to torch!

That would be cool Rene'! I'm hoping to be at Quincy's for the next meeting!

Aimee
33293

dla

2009-02-14, 3:30am

Love mine also.... I use it all the time. The only problem I have had is with the roller that you can buy with it. Every now and then mine will stop rolling while I am using it. Maybe I am pressing too hard????

The oil inside the rolling parts will "burn off" or maybe it's clogged up (can't remember the exact wording used), if you continuously let it get too hot. Scott told me back when to keep a cool/cold damp rag next to you while torching and roll the rollers on it after you use it on a bead to cool the brass. If that doesn't help then the lubricant may of "burned off". I used some WD40 to get them oiled up again. Just slide off the rollers and lube it up. If that still doesn't work, you might need to replace the rollers. You could ask Scott too just to make sure.

barbaracollins

2009-02-14, 3:42am

You can see Scott and Monica's bead on their website!

CelesteK

2009-02-16, 2:30pm

I'm glad someone specified what an EMS was. The only thing I could think of was--emergency medical services...

Celeste

Jane P

2009-02-16, 3:30pm

I never could get the hang of mine - it spins way too fast for me, and the glass goes all wonky because of that. You are supposed to use your finger as the brake, but I found it just made it jerky when you released the "finger brake". It is now gathering dust on my shelf. I suppose I should give it another try, maybe I was just too impatient then. Everytime I say I am going to sell it, my DH tells me not to, as he tells me that "you are not getting any younger", and your joints are giving out, so one day it may be the only way you can bead - thanks dear!
I guess I work in a more controlled manner, and I found that the EMS was just too fast for me.

simvet02

2009-02-16, 6:05pm

You know I have coveted this thing for a long time and am now starting to think that I'm going to have to get one. I had thumb surgery three years ago and couple that with wrists that are starting to bother me and I almost have to get one.

Do any of you have problems with carpal tunnel? I am having a bad time with the hand that holds mandrel and glass. I'm wondering if its the spinning or that my torch isn't at the right angle. Either way I have to do something before I do permanent damage. I'm just wondering if the EMS is the answer.

PerfectDeb

2009-02-16, 7:04pm

i want one so badly!
i have carpel tunnel damage in my left hand so it goes numb after a while - i'm getting good at switching hands to round up the beads though...

River Horse Studio

2009-02-17, 7:18am

I think that it just takes some practice. Try just making some spacer beads on it until you get the hang of it. I honestly really like mine and actually have some fun trying to make really long beads with it. It did take some practice though.

betsymn

2009-02-17, 12:01pm

When I started getting achy wrists, I looked into the EMS and bought it. When I first tried it, I thought 'well, that was wasted money.' I just didn't think I could get used to using it, and I couldn't get the beads centered. After letting it sit a couple of weeks and then reading some tips (especially about using it to make spacer beads), I dug in and just used it. It took a couple of weeks, but I got the hang of it, and now every bead I make starts with the EMS. I couldn't and wouldn't want to work without it. I upgraded to the deluxe and really like it for the more variable speed, even though it's bigger and heavier. You get used to it, and it's well worth the money for the relief on the wrists.

Karen, look at my Etsy shop. Like I say, they all start on the EMS. After I get the bead centered, if I want a lentil or other shape, then I take it off the EMS and work it further.

Kym

2009-02-17, 1:39pm

Jane, if you feel it spins too fast, get a power box upgrade which includes a variable switch to speed it up or down. If the glass is wonky, heat it to molten and drag your rod through the centre. I really think you will find with some usage you won't even notice using your fingers to lightly brake or stop and release to speed again. Its really just a matter of retraining yourself to a new way of working and for some people that may take a little longer than others but just like when we start p p p.
I wouldn't be without mine and am now looking for a deluxe version as soon as I have some goannas to sell from this years hatchings. The $ is the only thing holding me up!

Kym

Jane P

2009-02-17, 1:45pm

Thanks Kym - I do have a variable speed, and have it set at the lowest speed. I have also tried the "drag" method. I just couldn't get the hang of it - I tried it for about a month, and then just gave up. I just find it way too fast - I turn my mandrels really slowly when making beads, including spacers. However, I will get it out again and dust it off, and give it another try. Just have to get rid of this vertigo first!

PerfectDeb

2009-02-17, 3:45pm

as soon as I have some goannas to sell from this years hatchings. The $ is the only thing holding me up!

Kym

........your selling goannas?

starlightdesigns

2009-04-20, 8:58am

dla

2009-04-20, 12:10pm

Does anyone know if there are any alternatives to the EMS? I have been suffering for quite a while with pain in my hand, but I just cannot afford the EMS. I am sure it is worth every penny of the cost, but I honestly don't understand why it is so expensive, so I am hoping that there are alternatives out there.

Thanks!

To date, I haven't seen anything else even similar to it on the market.
I don't build them so I can't comment on the cost. I can only say for me personally, it was worth every penny.
Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Pat

2009-04-20, 1:42pm

I'm with Jayne and just couldn't get the hang of it. Holding the mandrel like a pencil is just too weirdly uncomfortable for me. I've had it sitting around for a year and half. Then I think some day I will have to use it or I would sell the thing.

Drafly

2009-04-20, 2:48pm

Pat, You should try it with the 'Rolling Marver.' That helps to shape the bead quickly. I love mine and hope to buy the larger one, although I think the smaller one does everything you would want to do except large boro. Take a look at the Barefoot Art video. It is amazing what you can do with it!
Jim

TeRangiStudio

2009-04-20, 3:16pm

After letting it sit a couple of weeks and then reading some tips (especially about using it to make spacer beads), I dug in and just used it. .

Betsy - do you have a link or do you remember where you read the tips?
I got my EMS some weeks ago and tried it only once yet. Tried a few spacers that came out very wonky. Then I had to stop again, because I had heaps of custom orders to fill and just didn't have time to learn how to use the EMS.

I have problems with carpal tunnel syndrome and really need to get the hang of it to relieve the pain. But I'm so busy at the moment that I just don't think I have the time & patience to practice for weeks.

It would be great to read some tips and speed up the learning process. I had a look on itube and watched the videos. But that didn't help a lot.

TeRangiStudio

2009-04-20, 3:19pm

That 4-6 week wait time is a killer though. Im such an instant gratification type person I dunno if I can do it.

KarenBeth - you can order one at ABR and if they have them in stock (4 weeks ago they did), you get it within a week.

betsymn

2009-04-20, 8:41pm

Betsy - do you have a link or do you remember where you read the tips?
I got my EMS some weeks ago and tried it only once yet. Tried a few spacers that came out very wonky. Then I had to stop again, because I had heaps of custom orders to fill and just didn't have time to learn how to use the EMS.

I have problems with carpal tunnel syndrome and really need to get the hang of it to relieve the pain. But I'm so busy at the moment that I just don't think I have the time & patience to practice for weeks.

It would be great to read some tips and speed up the learning process. I had a look on itube and watched the videos. But that didn't help a lot.

Judith, I don't even remember where I read the tips. It helps to just practice and practice. Try starting with small spacers and after putting on the glass with a rod, heat it up until it's almost dripping, then take a thin stringer and just touch the middle of the bead. Sometimes that's enough to round it, and sometimes I have to really stick it in and drag to get it round. The trick is to have the bead molten enough, and then let it cool a little to make sure it stays round. If it starts going wobbly, heat it up just a bit, and touch it with the stringer. It really takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, it is so much easier on the hands. I find that the older I get, the harder it is to hold and twist a skinny mandrel.

Maybe if I get really ambitious, I'll get my son to take a video of my doing one. Of course, then I'd have to figure out how to post it on youtube or my website :)

J&M

2009-04-20, 9:29pm

I love mine... it helps my fingers! It's one of the best tools I have! Here's some examples:

159503 158989 158929 163765

158089 158087

That's one bead on the pen.

Jack

Frit Diva

2009-04-20, 9:53pm

Nice beads Jack!

I use mine for more than 90% of what I make including vessels, sculptural, goddess forms, everything! I lay down at least the base footprint using the EMS, because it saves me a lot of time. Like others have said, it took a little getting used to, but once I got used to it, I would not go back. Recently I needed spacer beads, I made over 350 spacers in one sitting without any hand fatigue. It was at least twice as fast as making them without the EMS.

Jo

SadiesJewels

2009-04-20, 10:13pm

350 spacers ... wow ... that's some recommendation! Lead me to it!

Think I need to see someone using this in action as I have trouble centering and hope it will help me some. I've been told my astigmatism doesn't help center a bead (wear glasses for it these days) but still have some issues.

wildfirelauri

2009-04-21, 11:21pm

Another happy camper. I have one of the original models as well, and it has saved me lots of physical wear and tear. It also is invaluable when I'm in production mode before a class or show. It took me a few weeks to really feel comfortable using it, but once I settled in with it, I never looked backed. I use it for both boro and soft glass projects. Love the brass rolling marver as well. I rarely have distortion while encasing with these tools.