Key Beads - Fixed or Sliding?

[Elizabeth Beads]

My key beads have sold really well. I was making them right on the keys but decided to try dipping them in bead release and having the beads slide.

Well, that is a lot more work and I'm wondering whether customers will even prefer them that way. If not I will go back to making them fixed on the keys.

Any thoughts?

[MerryFool]

I was wondering how the heck you'd get the bead release off the inside of the bead once you're done... soaking?

[Elizabeth Beads]

I use Krag Mudd - it practically rinses off. I love that stuff. I mix in a tad of Blue Sludge to eliminate flaking.

I also use a toothbrush and run the bead gently up and down the key a little under running water.

[Karen Hardy]

I use fusion, and I double dip the bead.
The beads gotta SLIDE for me!
My ADD needs something to move around and play with.

[Carolyn M]

I need some keys! Any ideas where to source them?

[wendbill]

My husband has a bunch of old keys which used to belong to his grandmother. I can't even get him to give me one of them to make a key bead for his mother.

[paulinabeads]

I read somewhere that having a fixed bead could potentially be a problem if the metal expands. The bead could crack. Maybe it isn't even true scientifically but it sounded plausible to me. I have always used bead release to make floating beads for that reason. I have no problem getting the bead release off, just scratch about. I do double-dip so the space between key and bead is reasonable.

[Aubs]

I bought a lot of over 100 old keys on Ebay a few months ago Carolyn......I would try there....

[kdotson]

I have had good luck finding keys from local locksmiths. They often have old ones or ones that they cut incorrectly and will sell.

[likes to make glass stuff]

sliding. I made one non sliding and 5 sliding. Sold three sliding, all to people who played with them.

I got mine at a local flea and antique market. If you've got "old junk" stores, that would be a great place to look. Bring a magnet, too. Brass should be pretty easy to tell visually, but a magnet won't stick to aluminum and will to iron or steel ;)

[crystalflipz]

I make all mine with sliding beads. I read a posting a while back from someone who stated that all their beads cracked, and I figured the sliding beads would have enough space to allow the metal keys to expand and contract with changes in temperature. I've gotten great deals on keys at local flea markets, and occasionally on Ebay.

[pinkcb]

In order for it to be worth your time to dip 'em you have to make sure the shank of the key is round. If it's not the keys will not spin. Lots of keys have a barrel/oval shape.

Caroline PM if you're interested in keys from Canada :)

[Elizabeth Beads]

Thanks! Good points - I think I will go on dipping, Even if the shank is not round the bead will slide up and down. If the key shank is tapered, I make the bead at the widest end. :)

[Marjo]

Maybe clean them with an old water pic dental device? I've used that on hollows and it works like a charm!

Someone also once mentioned something about burning off the fuzz of a pipe cleaner, then using the looping the twisted wire through the gap and then putting it in a tumbler...

I have not tried either of these on keys, just brainstorming here!

[neagle]

I use Dip-N-Go Sludge, and make the bead at the fatter end of the key. I run the bead up and down the shaft in a bowl of water, and the release comes right off, no problem. It maybe takes a minute.

[bead crazy]

You can rinse the key off then dip in carbide and move the bead up and down on the key to clean the inside with the carbide on it then the inside would be clean. I clean all my beads this way but with the mandrel instead