Cleaning Mandrels

[gemsinbloom]

Okay , I am using Bucket of Mud and it is brilliant. I make mostly pressed beads and it stands up very well.

My only complaint is the fact it is so hard to clean the mandrels afterwards. Is this an expected trade off or is there some trick to getting them clean? The release is really stuck on the mandrels. Yes I do soak, scrub etc etc.

Time is money, any tricks please?

[anneonline]

I took a class with Sage Holland & Beau Anderson and they clean all of their beads with the mandrel the bead is made on (as in they losen the bead in a vice to prevent bending mandrels, then use the mandrel as a bead reamer). The act of sliding the bead up and down on the mandrel cleans the mandrel and the bead.

If you want to limit hand strain I have read here somewhere on LE that you can use an ultrasonic bath/cleaner to clean the beads (and it should work on the mandrels too).

[richsantaclaus]

I just run my fingernail on the mandrel under warm water - BOM comes off easy!

[valerie_folly]

I clean my mandrels with the bead also, wipe off with a towel and they are ready to be dipped again. I then clean my beads with a dremel to get the rest of the release out.

[Flame Crazy]

I soak mine in really hot water and while they are wet use a green kitchen scrubbie to clean them off.

[papimom]

I hold my fingers tight on the exposed release and twist it if into a can before twisting the bead loose. Run the bead up and down slightly. Pull it off and put it in water to soak. I just swing the mandrels through water to get any loose off and re-dip them.
Joan

[blong2001]

I also use the bead. Fingernail for stubborn stuff. Then I always rub over the whole bunch with the green scrubby underwater before I dip them.

[cem]

I soak mine in really hot water and while they are wet use a green kitchen scrubbie to clean them off.

The green scrubbies work very well. I also, slide the bead up and down the mandrel too.

[gemsinbloom]

I just tried your suggestion and it works perfectly! The answer was staring me in the face but I just did not see it. This now saves me one step in my bead making, thanks so much. And thank you to everyone else that replied. This place rocks!

I took a class with Sage Holland & Beau Anderson and they clean all of their beads with the mandrel the bead is made on (as in they losen the bead in a vice to prevent bending mandrels, then use the mandrel as a bead reamer). The act of sliding the bead up and down on the mandrel cleans the mandrel and the bead.

If you want to limit hand strain I have read here somewhere on LE that you can use an ultrasonic bath/cleaner to clean the beads (and it should work on the mandrels too).

[Elizabeth Beads]

An overnight soak in diluted cheap white vinegar works wonders. This is also great for removing those stubborn sticky labels from glass cane. I keep a jar on hand for this purpose and reuse the vinegar for quite a while. :)

[anneonline]

LOL Gemsinbloom!
I just tried your suggestion and it works perfectly! The answer was staring me in the face but I just did not see it. This now saves me one step in my bead making, thanks so much. And thank you to everyone else that replied. This place rocks!
I had a duh moment about how obvious cleaning bead & mandrel in one swoop was.

The dremel finish from Valerie is probably a good idea because the "mandrel reamer" may not get all of the bead release out (or will take you more time and repetitive stress).
I clean my mandrels with the bead also, wipe off with a towel and they are ready to be dipped again. I then clean my beads with a dremel to get the rest of the release out.

Now this is a good tip for the sticky lables - Thank you!
An overnight soak in diluted cheap white vinegar works wonders. This is also great for removing those stubborn sticky labels from glass cane. I keep a jar on hand for this purpose and reuse the vinegar for quite a while. :)

[metalbone]

I bite down on them with my molars and spin the mandrel...works every time.

[Firebug]

A few years ago, another LE member told how she gathers up a handful of mandrels and then rubs them all together between her hands, either under running water or in a bucket of water. I do this and it takes only seconds to get a bunch of mandrels clean. No scraping, no soaking overnight.

Cheers
Kathy

[Lenda]

gathers up a handful of mandrels and then rubs them all together between her hands, either under running water or in a bucket of water.

Cheers
Kathy

This is how I do it. Works great and it's quick. Just don't do it in your kitchen sink, the release will build up and clog it over time. Do it in the hose outside or in a bucket!

[mini]

I just wash them with one of the 3m non scratching kitchen sponges after I have left them to soak for a little while.

[divelement]

I use a fresh wet rag on 20-30 mandrels at a time. About 20 seconds of work and re-dip and ready to go. If doing a second set I just turn my rag over and clean that set. Really, most of release comes of with the bead.

Learning to not coat the mandrels past where you normally work will reduce mess, cleaning time and wasted release.

[funkibeads]

Hi,

I find for very stubborn bead release a little damp 120 grade sanding paper gets the mandrels shiny bright in no time - of course soak them overnight - the vinegar trick helps greatly too - and keep it in a tall thin pickle jar and you can reuse it time time again.

All good things Greg