slicing murrini thin

[SuzyQ]

What is the best method? I have basic glass rod nippers but I feel the need for a tool. :)

[Lea Zinke]

For regular or thick murrini applications, I use the nippers. For really thin murrini where only a surface application (think face cane!) is required and/or the murrini is time-intensive, I use my DiamondTech diamond saw. Last year, we did a whole thread on that very subject -- it may have some additional helpful information for you!

HTH,
Lea

[SuzyQ]

Thanks Lea!

[ChaseDesigns]

Make Greg do it. That's my method. Does that help? :lol:

[SuzyQ]

lol! I think I need rotary cutters instead of my nippers. They aren't very precise and now that my murrini actually look like something it's bumming me out to have odd shaped chips.

[ChaseDesigns]

Try this:

After placing your murrine in the nippers, cover with a towel or piece of cloth, then place your finger over the end of the cane at the nipper head and press down toward the nipper. So it is as follows, the nipper, cane, cloth, then finger holding it in place. Then cut.

Is that clear? The pressure helps it cut cleaner.

Edited to add: you don't have to use the cloth, but it makes me feel better. You can also use a cloth if you need both hands and don't want it to fly away.

[jeepinwelch]

These are better for me than the wheeled nippers. http://www.artcoinc.com/glass_cutters.php

[Hayley]

I prefer the nippers with discs/wheels over the Japanese one for cutting murrini into chips. The Japanese one is perfect if you use the full rod to plunge into the bead, then cut the rod close to the bead surface. For cutting murrini chips, I like them cut square and clean, and the nippers are easier to align for a more perfect cut than the Japanese one, imho.

Not all nippers with discs/wheels are created equal tho . . .

[SuzyQ]

This is what I have and it often cuts in uneven chunks.

http://www.madcowbeads.com/fuseworks-tungsten-carbide-glass-nippers-1381-p.asp

[SuzyQ]

Oh Deanna, that might help. I'll try it first before buying yet another tool, lol.

[RyanTheNumberImp]

Artco's japanese cutters work fairly well for me. Generally I consider thinness to be more important than shape of the slice.

A curved or uneven slice will flatten out just fine in the flame, but a thick slice will always be thick.

[Hayley]

Suzy, the ones you have just don't work well. Get the ones with discs/wheels or the Japanese nippers and you will be much happier.

[ChaseDesigns]

We have regular straight edged ones and disk wheels. I actually prefer the straight edge ones.

[SuzyQ]

Guess I need a new tool! :D

[Hayley]

Ask I mentioned earlier, De, not all disk wheels are created equal. You probably got one that's stiff and perhaps not aligned probably.

[Bakerman44]

i just bought a set of disc nippers with red handles yesterday from hobby lobby with a 40% off coupon..12 bucks...WIN!!