Press question

[Flonche]

Wide Crunch 2
3 inches long
.30 inch (7.6mm) in depth of your bead
1 inch (25mm) in width of your bead

What does this mean exactly? that the bead can be anywhere from 0 to 3 inches long, the other 2 measurements ("of your bead") being width and depth? I assume that's what it is but the wording is a bit confusing to me.

I am ready to buy a press but I'd like your input on the differences between a Zoozii Kalera and a Cattwalk Crunch. Any of you can use the Cattwalk without the base? What makes each of them better in your opinion?

Thank you all in advance for your answers

[SadiesJewels]

I love the crunches and have quite a few... so yes - your bead can be anything up to 3" long. When "crunched" your finished bead will be the .30" depth (or thick) and could be 1" wide before the press will squish the edges of it ... only happens if your bead you want to press is bigger in volume than the press can handle.

You make a barrel bead - or even a bicone if you want a tapered shape, and then being careful to center the mandrel in the press, squish! Easy ... these presses give a very nice shape that is a little more random looking than the limited presses (ie ones that give you the final shape), and are a little more tolerant in the amount of glass you use.

I hope that helps somewhat?

Sadie

[Flonche]

Sadie, thank you! How did you read my mind? This is exactly what I wanted to hear. More random looking. Exactly.
Do you use a base or do you do fine without?

[SadiesJewels]

Oh good! Glad it helped!

I have the base but use these either with or without... the ones I've been making this evening I have on the base as it gives me slightly less guessing as to whether I have the mandrel and top and bottom of the press lined up correctly. So if you already have the base that's a good thing ... but I think you could manage without too especially if you made your own sort of base - eg. two bricks at right angles to give you a corner to sit the press in (used this before I got my base).