I Need Help with my Retro Bead Core Tool

[FyreFiend]

Hi All,
I have a Bead Core tool form Retro. I have a lot of trouble with learning how to use the tool. I have talked to the owner, who has always been good to assist me, but I think that I need to hear from other people that core beads as well.

The situation is that no matter how carefully I cut the tube, and tighten the gear that presses the tube into the bead, I can never get it tight enough that the bead doesn't turn on the core.

If I get the tube long enough to fold over, it splits the metal core. I have softened the silver, like Jerry told me to do.

What are your experiences? How do I do this? I see all of the beautiful beads on the forum, and it is very frustrating not to be able to use this machine.

Any suggestions will help!
Desa

[karikim]

Wish I could help. I bought the bead liner from Retro as well and have the same problems as you. In addition, one of the dies always gets stuck in the bead and I have to use a knife to wedge it out. I finally gave up and bought the Jim Moore tool. It works like a charm!

[suzanne]

Use a dapping tool or jewelry hammer to tighten the silver core inside the bead. Works like a charm for me!

[Firebrand Beads]

I like to use a burnisher to press the liner into the bead at the end. The Retro tool is designed to have the bead float a little; he says it is more likely to chip the bead if you crank it all the way tight. And he is right, I know... One thing that I have started to do with my beadliner is to tighten down as far as I can -- to that point you are now, where the bead is still a little loose -- then loosen the placement nut, move the parts a tad closer and do it some more. Since the free arm isn't locked, now, I can't break the bead. But it does give that last little bit of push that I sometimes can't get because the bead is skinnier than the minimum nut setting.

BTW, Did your Beadliner come with a video?

[Lindworkin]

I just received the Jim Moore tool in the mail and hope to work with it this weekend. I was wondering where to buy the bead caps and lining tubes. I also bought a bench top cut off saw to cut the tube. So I think I have everything I need to get started. I wanted to start with copper tube until I know what I am doing. If any one is doing this I could really use some hints.

[Ladymorgan]

Ya, the dvd included with the Retro Bead Liner..The chic doing the demos is a rockstar!! ;)

[Firebrand Beads]

LOL!

[cgbeads]

If it's like the xpress where you tighten it a bit, then flip it, the I've found the more you tighten it before flipping, the more chance you have of splitting the tubing. Take smaller increments, say 1/2 a turn of the crank, the flip.. Hope that helps.

I'm sure you also been told to file the end of the tubing after you cut it, to file away any microscopic splits that occur during cutting. They are where the splitting begins.

-Donna

[Firebrand Beads]

But definitely get a burnisher. That's how the pros push and smooth their silver.

http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/SearchPage.aspx?page=GRID&free_text|1247767995422=burnisher

[Firebug]

Jenny, thanks for posting the link. I checked out the burnishers - which one do you recommend?


Cheers
Kathy

[Deloresh]

I purchased it and could never get it to work either. I make long beads and the core would bend before it ever flared. I tried working with the inventor but it never worked for me. Maybe it works ok if you make really large hole beads but mine are made on a smaller mandrel and the core collapses before the end flares. Bad use of my money.

[FyreFiend]

I never could get my tool to work properly because of the physical problems that I outlined in my original post. I contacted the owner of the company several times, each time he was very nice and willing to help me. Finally, we came to the agreement that the tool was simply not working for me, and refunded my money.

I have nothing but good thoughts about Retro tools and the owner. My personal experience was good, and I hope that his business does well and survives these difficult times. If you are having trouble using the Retro tool, I recommend contacting him. He was very nice to me.

Desa

[Firebrand Beads]

Amen - Jerry is a good man.

[leemanning]

Desa,
I purchased the retro bead liner 2 years ago and have had the same problems that you are experiencing. It worked okay on beads made on 3/32 mandrels. However, I am trying to line beads made on 1/4" mandrels. I annealed the silver properly and purchased many sizes of tubing. I also watched the video many times just to make sure that I was not missing something. No success. After 2 years I have given up on using it and plan to sell it and purchase another tool. I have lots of scrap silver.

Lee Manning
San Diego

[PerfectDeb]

i've got the express liner - works fine although i've cracked a few beads

the biggest problem i've found is that your beads have to have perfect ends, if the ends are a bit uneven then either the cores slips or you crack the bead

[Firebrand Beads]

I purchased it and could never get it to work either. I make long beads and the core would bend before it ever flared. I tried working with the inventor but it never worked for me. Maybe it works ok if you make really large hole beads but mine are made on a smaller mandrel and the core collapses before the end flares. Bad use of my money.

Have you tried this on any of the other liners? Seems like that is an issue with the length of the soft silver tube? Perhaps a stiffer, short piece of wire or mandrel inserted into the liner will help stabilize it while you line the bead, and then you can slip it out after wards? I am curious if you have the same problem with other machines, too.