Mandrel Troubles

[Curly Irish Girl]

I've been torching for about 4 yrs...while I've got lots to learn, I'm not a newbie....but I'm having HUGE mandrel issues! Long thin beads (1/8 mandrel) will NOT come off the mandrel - I've not changed release (Blue Sludge) or annealer settings. Even tried taking the bead off the mandrel before annealing and still won't release. The only difference is I've moved from a minor burner to a Mini CC. Suggestions???? Think I'll try the minor burner today just to test! EEEEEEEE!!!! :-({|=

[MikeAurelius]

Consider changing batches of Blue Sludge. If nothing else has changed, then you may have a "bad" batch of bead release.

This might also be a good time to consider switching brands.

[Curly Irish Girl]

I'll give that some consideration....but it's only the 1/8 inch mandrels that give me grief - 3/32 & 1/16 as well as the big hole mandrels are behaving fine....Hummm?