What size mandrel do you use most often?

[EvanH]

I have an idea for a new tool and don't want to invest too much in the wrong size... what size mandrel do you use for your beads most often???

Thanks -

Evan

[Cosmo]

I never use 1/16". Of course, I rarely do any soft glass, so with boro, I just burn right through 1/16.

[CharleneN]

It depends on what I'm making. It would be hard for me to give you the best answer not knowing what type of tool you're thinking of. I can undertstand wanting to keep that undercover tho. So, I usually use either 1/16 or 3/32. Or maybe something else! Lol...sorry about not being helpful!

[dogmaw]

I put 3/32, because I like to do bigger beads. Of course if you are using presses you are stuck with 1/16.

[Heather/Ericaceae]

I mostly use 3/32nd because I don't do "real' jewellery design and I like to be able to slide the bead/pendants right onto finished sterling chains. I suspect that different beadmaking supply "markets" have different trends in mandrel size use... (if that sentence makes sense!) People who sell soft glass bead sets to jewellery designers would probably want to use 1/16" mandrels. People who sometimes like sets and sometimes like single focal-pendants might switch back and forth a lot... Boro beadmakers would almost never use 1/16", especially if they're working big. So it really depends what your tool is for and what type of beadmaker is most likely to want to use it. Of course, the IDEAL tool would be adjustable for use with a variety of mandrels! Using a pin vise attachment, for example. Good luck in your development of the tool - it sounds exciting! Sincerely - Heather

[HardwoodTrailGlass]

I use both, depending on what size bead I am making.

Carrie

[EvanH]

Thanks everybody for participating - looks like the results so far slightly favor 1/16" with 3/32" not too far behind.... I appreciate everyone whom has responded so far it helps give a little focus to the next project :waving:

Thanks again -

Evan

[Chroma]

I probably use 1/16" the most but I have both sizes ready all the time. I don't use many presses tho. . .
bj

[alexm]

I do both. 1/16" for soft glass and 3/32" for boro.

[shawnette]

5/32

[cghipp]

5/64

[Melinda]

5/64th. They are a bit bigger than the 1/16 so they are far more forgiving to my heavy handed mandrel wrestling. Those poor 1/16 just can't take it.

[cghipp]

Melinda, I'm with you! I'm a bit of a marver thug as well. I only use the 1/16s for pressed beads.

Courtney

[Kevan]

I started making big hole beads on a 5/8 inch stainless steel tube. Otherwise, 3/16.

[Mustang Dawn]

I use the 1/16th's the most. For focals I use the 3/32.

TTFN, Dawn