New tool from Andrea Guarino

[Ellen Black]

Hi, Andrea was using this paddle in class last year. I finally ordered one from her, and just got it.

19038

19037

[Rachel]

HI. what do you use it for? looks interesting.

[Kaye]

Looks like Jim Smirich's paddle...Marna used one years ago when she was here...it helps keep the mandrel level with large beads/use it as a prop up of sort while twirling

[Debbie]

It really looks like a modified graphite stump shaper. Maybe I can take the one I dropped on the floor and modify it to look like that. It already has a few chunks out of it. :-)

Debbie

[Toni Lutman]

I got one after my class with Andrea also. It's great for evening up your puckers also.

[Angela Schoonen]

I've got one also. It is a regular graphite marver with nooks ground out.

[Ellen Black]

Yep, it's great for using on the ends of a bead.

[sislonski]

It really looks like a modified graphite stump shaper. Maybe I can take the one I dropped on the floor and modify it to look like that. It already has a few chunks out of it. :-)

Debbie

Debbie: You always manage to put a smile on my face LOL!

[DancingSalamander]

Question: how does the graphite hold up? Do the little grooves wear down easily or continue to chip? Graphite is so soft, I'm just wondering if it is a durable tool or would be better made with brass or stainless steel? For monetary reasons, I have to be very selective on what I purchase as I'm sure many of you relate to. :roll:

Stacia

[Toni Lutman]

I've only had mine for a few months. So far no chips, but the edge is thin, so I'm more careful about this one than my other graphite tools. But, honestly, a little chip or two wouldn't really hurt it all that much.

[wolfotter]

Hi Everyone! It is just a stump shaper with the grooves that i have put in it. It really helps you to straighten up your ends. I always use it with the flat side to the bead, and your mandrel goes in the grooves while you are shaping the ends of your bead!

19048

the photo isn't great! But these grooves wore themselves there from 10 years of use. When students would watch me use it they started wanted them so i made them available!!

Andrea

[Heather/Ericaceae]

Cool idea! And that's how worn it is after 10 years? Wow, that marver must be like a part of your arm by now, Andrea... It's inspiring just to think about *that* part! Thanks for sharing your tool! -Heather

[wolfotter]

It would be hard for me to ever loose this paddle!!!!!!!!! i have a back up ready!!!! i hardly ever let anyone use this one,,,,, it is gonna break someday since my groove is starting to get so deep!!!! i better be the one that breaks it!!!!!!!!!!
Andrea

[Ellen Black]

I like that it is made from graphite. Brass would cool the ends to much.

[PaulaD]

What a great idea!! Paula

[parisgal]

Metal would also move the ends of the beads as it shaped, while the graphite won't "grab" the glass as you're shaping. So unless you wanted change the design as you shaped the ends, you'd want graphite.

[Tanya]

It really looks like a modified graphite stump shaper. Maybe I can take the one I dropped on the floor and modify it to look like that. It already has a few chunks out of it. :-)

Debbie

Debbie - me too! I finally got a brass stump shaper because I kept dropping my graphite one. Now I know what to do with the nicks.

[DarleenMB]

the photo isn't great! But these grooves wore themselves there from 10 years of use. When students would watch me use it they started wanted them so i made them available!!

Andrea

LOL yup I was in one of those classes. Andrea very nicely TRACED the outline of her worn down paddle so we could go home and grind ours out. Hubby did mine and I love it ... just slip the end of the mandrel in the slot and gently spin the end of the bead against the paddle. Evens it right up.

[bousky]

What a bonus for me that this thread was inadvertantly resurected and available for me! I keep trying to use my stump shaper in a way that doesn't work.....slight alteration and I will be a happy camper. No way would a graphite one last with my clumsy ways.

Thanks,
Michelle

[Beadanna]

I came across a link to this tonight as I was looking at the Mid Atlantic bead makers tips and tutorials from way back a couple of years ago (before I found LE). It's worth a look if you haven't seen it already.

Beadanna

[wolfotter]

arrowsprings sells them now, they are called the Guarino groover! They come in 2 different lengths!

[JavaGirlBT]

I have the long one and use it more than any of my other paddles.

[Lara]

I took my graphite shapper, a threaded rod (like a screw) and cut down to make my own. It really helps to hold the mandrel level.