Flattening bead cores

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With much practice, I've finally begun to create some decent cored big-hole beads. However, I can't get the core lip to lay flat. I hesitate to tap too hard-I don't want to break any more beads than I already have. :lol:

I tried holding them and whacked my fingers too many times, holding the bead in a vise just caused the bead to pop out.

How do you all get such a nice finish? I'm more interested in it laying flat, not so much domed. (at least not for now.)

[dreambeader]

I use the Impress Bead Liner. I tried doing my own 'thing' before buying it and they just never turned out. The Impress tool is worth the cost!

Shirley

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Hi Shirley:

I have Jim Moore's bead liner. I've only had it for a short while, perhaps I need to play with it more. :smile: Thanks.

[lenora]

Do you have the plastic dies for the Jim Moore? Those are the key in getting the lining to lay flat. I own and use both the Impress liner and the Jim Moore and I always finish my coring off with the plastic dies on the Jim Moore. Also, tapping it down with a rawhide mallet helps.

[blr2449]

Hi Lenora: Yes, I have the plastic dies and used them. THEN, the lightbulb went on -- just before I fell asleep last night. I'm cutting the tubes too long. I'm going to try another today and shorten the tube by 1mm. I'll keep working from there, but I really think that that is my problem.

BTW, I love Jim's bead liner!!!

[lenora]

I add about 3 mm of extra tubing. Good luck! :)

[Beadbug]

I use the Impress tool and cut my tube 4mm longer than the widest part of the bead. Often I don't need anything but the tool but sometimes I tap lightly with a rawhide mallet just to set the edges down. I truly think that the coring tools are worth the money in time saved.

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Lenora: Yes, I finally had success this afternoon. I realized that the additional 4mm is for beads with caps. Since I'd also bought the Retrotools Bead Cap maker, I did the whole shebang. I cut the copper tube 4mm longer that bead width, made 2 copper caps and this time I had great success.

Traci, I totally agree with you on the coring tools. I love the one I have. and the Bead Cap Tool I got from Retro Tools is the icing on the cake. :smile: