Cheap Mandrel Sources

[hummingbird3172]

OK, I know I read somewhere about fixing up your own mandrels with welding wire, but I am not sure where to get it, what to get exactly, and how to make it into a suitable mandrel. I already know I don't have a local supplier so I was hoping to find a good place online. Anyone know any? TIA

[Three Muses Glass]

I'd think if you bought the welding wire online the shipping costs might outweigh the savings. Even if you have to drive a little while it might be worth it. I get 316L tig wire and cut it with a sharp wire cutter that the jaws come straight together, not offset like scissors. A pound is somewhere around 10 dollars for 1/16". I cut it with sharp wire cutters and don't have to grind the ends or anything. If the cutters are sharp it ends up fairly flush to the round of the wire, no burrs. I'm not quite sure how many mandrels I get from a pound but it's around 70 or so. I think.:-k

[hummingbird3172]

Rebecca, Thank you! Do you buy it at a shop that sells welding supplies, then? 70 Mandrels for $10 is great! :)

[Quicksilverart]

I buy various thicknesses of welding wire and either snip it with wire cutters or put it in a vice and cut it with a hacksaw. You may need to smoothe the tips with a file so you can slide your beads off.Be sure to only get stainless steel and look in your yellow pages for welding supply stores. They're everywhere!

[Dale M.]

What you are looking for is 304 or 316 Stainless Steel welding "filler rod"... Comes in 1 pound or 5 pound or 10 pound "lots". Comes in 1/16 - 3/32 - 1/8 inch sizes and some other less popular sizes... As other have said there are various ways to cut it, with cutting pliers, grinders, hack saws, and just about anything that will cut metal .. Suggest even if cut looks clean you round ends with file or grinding wheel... Even cutoff wheel and grinding wheels found in DREMEL tool sets will work...

Dale

[Three Muses Glass]

Anna, your yellow pages should list 'welding supply' or mapquest has a yellow page/business search function to search within X amount of miles from you. A little more regarding my non-practice of grinding the ends...I don't just look at the ends, I feel them to check. It may or may not work for anybody else.:waving:

[hummingbird3172]

This is great information! I had tried calling around and most of the places I call didn't have a clue, so it is nice to know exactly what I need to call it so they know...there weren't too many in our phone book...which was a big surprise because I live in an area where you would expect to be able to find a lot of choices! I appreciate the info!!! :)

[beadlvr]

We buy our Mapp, propane from Airgas here in DC/Virginia and they have them there.

[hummingbird3172]

Sherry, we may have one here, that sounds familiar I will have to check! This would be excellent...I really need to get some new mandrels....the ones I have are looking a bit bendy.

[shawnette]

Anna, where are you located? There are several welding supply shops in Central Florida. If you're in orlando, Gas Products is on Division (downtown) and there's another place on John Young and a place on Princeton... (the list goes on...) Just ask for Tig rods.

[hummingbird3172]

Anna, where are you located? There are several welding supply shops in Central Florida. If you're in orlando, Gas Products is on Division (downtown) and there's another place on John Young and a place on Princeton... (the list goes on...) Just ask for Tig rods.

Hi Shawnette! I am in Kissimmee...I called several places and every single place seemed clueless, so I got discouraged...I tried 2 in Orlando and then one in St. Cloud....they said they didn't have anything like that but I wasn't sure of the the actual name. I will have to check the one on John Young...now I know what to call them. I knew there had to be someone around here that carried them! Where do you buy from?

[shawnette]

I get most of my supplies from Gas Products downtowm. The number is 407-841-2040 and just tell them you need stainless Tig rod. They have 308L in stock and sometimes 316L, but they can get whatever you need. It's sold by the pound. They are very familiar with lampwork needs and it is the company that Lance sent everyone to (before they moved to ATL, :( ).

[hummingbird3172]

Shawnette, you are AWESOME! Thank you so much! I have a question, what does the 308 and 316 refer to...I noticed that on a welding site I found, but wasn't sure of the signifigance.

It sure sucks about Lance and Maureen moving....I loved having them so close! :( I will miss them!

[shawnette]

308L & 316L refer to the grade of Stainless Steel. 316 is better, but more expensive and 308 works just fine. 308 is more readily available (stock on-hand) at welding supply stores.

[hummingbird3172]

That is fabulous! You have been such a big help! :)

[alexm]

They're called TIG welding rods. I used 308L or 316L.

[CarolinaDreamDesigns]

308L & 316L refer to the grade of Stainless Steel. 316 is better, but more expensive and 308 works just fine. 308 is more readily available (stock on-hand) at welding supply stores.

Shawnette - do you think they'd ship ... wait - shipped before cutting would be a huge charge wouldn't it? Due to the odd size/long length?

::: sigh :::

Martha

[Dale M.]

If you want somebody that ships...

Use a online welding supply site.....

GOOGLE wil provide many sources...

Dale

[shawnette]

Shawnette - do you think they'd ship ... wait - shipped before cutting would be a huge charge wouldn't it? Due to the odd size/long length?

::: sigh :::

Martha

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they ship. They were going to ship a bunch to me that I was special ordering. You can also find Tig rods on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-POUNDS-OF-1-16-DYNAWELD-308L-TIG-ROD-FOR-STAINLESS_W0QQitemZ7605909385QQcategoryZ67064QQssP ageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Note: You do not want Electrodes and if it's shorter than 36", it's the wrong type of rod.

[hummingbird3172]

This has been great help! Thank you!!!

[hummingbird3172]

I just wanted to saym that I followed Shawnette's advice and Bought 308L Tig rods from Gas Products...they were so pleasant and helpful there...no, "what do you want these for little lady?" and I got them for $6.80 a pound! I followed Dale's suggestion and used my Dremel wheel for cutting...it worked GREAT!!! Thank you so much for the excellent advice! :D

[CalamitysClan]

Just FYI. I buy the TIG rods to make mandrels to sell. The two suppliers I purchase from have told me that 308L and 316L grades only matter in welding applications not for the purpose we use them for. The 308L are a little cheaper and will work just fine for what you need them for. It's such a relief too isn't it to find a nice vendor that doesn't look at you like you have no idea what you want or need! lol

Patricia

[beadman]

i use bicycle spokes, they work great :)