Please Recommend a Button Mandrel

[LampworkbyLori]

Hello.. I'm looking to buy a 2-hole button mandrel. I want to be able to use it to make several beads in a session.

I've seen the type that is a pin vise (no o rings) where you remove the mandrels with pliers and I'm leaning in that direction, but I am unsure how hard it is to remove the mandrels and not harm the bead.

The other type I see is the o ring type. It looks like this might be heavier in the hand, but easier to remove the mandrels between beads.

I'd appreciate your feedback!

Thanks!

[Gail Joseph]

I LOVE, love, love, love Tradebear's O ring one (http://tradesbearsstudios.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=120&products_id=32). I don't find it heavy at all, and the learning curve for rotating it was very quick. I make a button, stick it in the kiln with the holder sticking out, slide off the o rings, then pull out the holder, ready to load up with new mandrels!

When I had my buttons on display at Tucson, I even went and borrowed the mandrel holder from Artco because so many people asked how they were made (and I was raving about TradeBear). I know he sold at least one because of me!

Oh, I even use larger-than-suggested mandrels at times because knitters like big holes in their buttons.

Good luck!-Gail

[Deb Hopeful Journeys]

I also have the Tradebear's one and LOVE it.

[ArtcoInc]

When I had my buttons on display at Tucson, I even went and borrowed the mandrel holder from Artco because so many people asked how they were made (and I was raving about TradeBear). I know he sold at least one because of me!

Thanks, Gail :)

Yea, the one from Trades Bears is made from aluminum, so it isn't heavy at all. It's only $11.95, can make either 2-hole or 4-hole buttons, and uses regular length mandrels.

Malcolm

[bclogan]

I love the one that BJJunk has.

http://www.lampworketc.com/ppc/showproduct.php?product=603&cat=1

It's real easy to get the buttons off once you've made them. You can use both 1/16" and 3/32" mandrels. And I cut up my bent mandrels to make shorter ones to fit the holder. And you can make 2 or 4 hole buttons.

[Chris Hansen]

I've got the one from Bearfoot Art - here's the link:
http://www.bearfootart.com/catalog.php?category=80

peace,
c

[Beadbug]

I love the one that BJJunk has.

http://www.lampworketc.com/ppc/showproduct.php?product=603&cat=1

It's real easy to get the buttons off once you've made them. You can use both 1/16" and 3/32" mandrels. And I cut up my bent mandrels to make shorter ones to fit the holder. And you can make 2 or 4 hole buttons.

This one is the best imo, I have taught class using it and we wrote a nice tutorial that goes with any bead mandrel in the tut section.

It also takes 2 different sized mandrels for either 2 of 4 holes.

[LampworkbyLori]

Thank you all for the great feedback!

[blr2449]

This one is the best imo, I have taught class using it and we wrote a nice tutorial that goes with any bead mandrel in the tut section.

It also takes 2 different sized mandrels for either 2 of 4 holes.

I have this one, too, and love it.