presses and bubbles

[lunesse]

I often get bubbles right at my bead release when making pressed beads. I preheat my release to glowing orange/white, really hot, to make sure its dry.

Any tips for preventing this? Besides looking crappy, they are hard to clean out if it's a half salvagable bead.

I press a few times with each bead, so the glass does get reheated....

anyway, how do you all keep your pressed beads bubble-free, especially around the mandrel, but just plain in general? =)

[Solana]

I sometimes have this problem to. Last week, I did nothing but sit down and make pillows for hours. I wanted to see if I could figure out how to get rid of the bubble at the release, and to get successful pillows. :)

I noticed that it typically happens if you press your bead, heat and then press again. I've never gotten a bubble after pressing once. However, I like my beads to have crisp edges and defined lines, so I re-press...several times if necessary. That's when the release bubble shows up.

I also heat my release to ensure it's dry, so I'm wondering if the release is just breaking along the mandrel if you re-press. Maybe the glass gets too stiff (too cool) but is still pliable, which causes the release to be pulled off the mandrel while re-pressing.

When I made pillows last week I was pretty successful and only had one bead with broken release inside the bead. I tried heating only the edges of the bead and re-pressing rather than heating the entire bead. Doing this caused the glass to stay in it's current spot along the mandrel, while the outside of the bead was free to move in the press. That seemed to work for me, although I'm curious to see if that'll work in a lentil, tab or any other press.

I do know what you mean about cleaning! It's a pain in the butt, and looks terrible in certain colors. If anyone else has tips...please share!

Thanks,
Karla

[DancingSalamander]

I've had difficulty with this as well. I would have suggested preheating the mandrel/bead release before placing glass on it, but you said you're already doing that.

I've found that I have to dip my mandrels and let them air dry over night. I get bubbles galore if I flame dry my bead release.

Could it may be a partial application issue? Make sure you're not trapping air when you apply the glass.

I still get some larger bubbles, but I squeeze those out. It's much better with the air drying.

Good luck
Stacia

[Solana]

I've let my mandrels dry overnight, and I make sure I don't trap any bubbles along the mandrel. So for me....I think it's a bead release breakage issue, rather than trapped air.

How 'bout you, Lunesse?

[lunesse]

yes, it's clear the release is breaking up inside the bead. Sometimes an actual bubble alongslide the hole doesn't happen, but the hole gets wider where the release starts to ... I don't know what it does, expand. I also think it has to do with pressing multiple times, the bubble pockets, etc, don't show up until after I have made my first press (I'm a sharp line girl, too).

Hmmm...I let my mandrels dry overnight, always.

[cghipp]

Could this be from not making your base bead wide enough, and then when the glass is squeezed over the "new" areas, air is trapped between the bead release and the glass?

Courtney

[Solana]

yes, it's clear the release is breaking up inside the bead. Sometimes an actual bubble alongslide the hole doesn't happen, but the hole gets wider where the release starts to ... I don't know what it does, expand. I also think it has to do with pressing multiple times, the bubble pockets, etc, don't show up until after I have made my first press (I'm a sharp line girl, too).

Hmmm...I let my mandrels dry overnight, always.

Yes! I totally know what you're describing! I always thought I was the only one experiencing this since other beadmakers didn't know what I was talking about. :) Yay! We've got a support group! Maybe we can figure this out together!

Anyway when the release breaks for me, I always think it looks like a football shape.

Courtney - The release break happens in the middle of the bead so it has nothing to do with "new" areas being covered. You just end up with a football shaped breakage in the middle of the bead (along the mandrel) that's a pain in the butt to clean.

[cghipp]

Ah. Very strange. Somebody hurry up and figure it out - I'm curious!

Courtney

[lunesse]

Yes! I totally know what you're describing! I always thought I was the only one experiencing this since other beadmakers didn't know what I was talking about. :) Yay! We've got a support group! Maybe we can figure this out together!

Anyway when the release breaks for me, I always think it looks like a football shape.

Courtney - The release break happens in the middle of the bead so it has nothing to do with "new" areas being covered. You just end up with a football shaped breakage in the middle of the bead (along the mandrel) that's a pain in the butt to clean.

It sounds like you are on your way with your only heating the edges. Somehow we have to get more people looking at this thread! *waves hands wildly!*

I'll try with the same press as you, so we are working the same thing at first...it happens to me with all shapes, lentils, etc. GAH! GRRR! Anyone???

[Solana]

Yes! Look here! Look here! :)

I'll take some post some pictures when I get home of beads that have the funky release break in the middle. Maybe it'll help others to understand what we're talking about.

I've had this issue with pillows, tabs, tiles and lentils. Strangely enough, I don't think I've experienced it with squeezed/crunched beads. I don't usually press those more than once, but when I do, I haven't had "the breakage".

Let me know how your pillows turn out, and then we can test another shape. :)

[lunesse]

I'll take some photos too. Once we get them in here, maybe we can er, direct traffic in the family room down here. =)

[Solana]

Sounds like a plan!

[SuzyQ]

OK, I know exactly what you are talking about. I wholesale simple etched lentil pendants and sometimes make 30 or so in one session. If I get a bunch that bubble it really sucks. So I had to figure this one out. I don't really know why but here is what works for me. I only use mandrels that have been dipped at least two days before. I use Foster Fire. I'm not sure it has to be a full two days but it works for me so I'm not messing with it.
The other way is to make sure you only press once. But that isn't always ideal so I gave up on that plan.
Maybe it is water and steam? I don't know but I sure know I sold a lot of them in my wonkies for habitat for humanity bowl :)

[SuzyQ]

pictures. Well here is a mental picture. Bubbles complete with release that seem to spiral or cluster around the hole, usually in the center of the bead. Sometimes you can't get to them to clean the release and even if you do they are still visable.

[lunesse]

pictures. Well here is a mental picture. Bubbles complete with release that seem to spiral or cluster around the hole, usually in the center of the bead. Sometimes you can't get to them to clean the release and even if you do they are still visable.

Bingo.

I use Sludge Plus. I have some timberwolf I could mix up I got in the last chinese auction. Karla, what are you using?


Suzy, if you press once, you just firepolish out your chills and deal with the shape being softer?

[SuzyQ]

Well, for the chunkly lentils I make the softer shape isn't really an issue. After one or two I can get them right on with the first press. I have made hundreds of these beads! The two day mandrels is my method of choice for every other press.

[Solana]

Lunesse - I also use Sludge Plus (I LOVE THAT STUFF)! Maybe it's that release, but it would be nice if others could chime in with what they're using and if the type of release can cause it. We shouldn't have to be limited to only pressing once.

Anyway, here are the pictures I promised! It's one of the pillow beads I made last week:

http://www.sirwatson.com/images/pillow1.jpg
http://www.sirwatson.com/images/pillow2.jpg

Like we've mentioned earlier, we don't think it has to do with air in the release, but rather stress on the mandrel during multiple presses. Does anyone else have anything they can add. Tips? Thanks!

[chrisdd]

I have the same problem with Foster Fire.

[SuzyQ]

I think it has to do with moisture in the bead release. Because after two days I don't have the problem. I get it with Foster Fire so I don't think it is the bead release.
Here is my theory: The water gets hot but is fine when you first press. After time the water turns to vapor and is trying to escape. When you press the first time you loosen the release from the mandrel. The second press applies enough pressure for the vapor to escape and it explodes off the mandrel into the molten glass. It happens in the center because the core of the bead is what remains hottest and/or because the press is forcing the vapor towards the center of the bead while pushing the glass to the center.

I have only seen this on my lentils and pillows. Have you ever seen it on a shape that doesn't have tapered sides like a pastille or tab? I haven't. This would support my pressure part of the theory.

Comments?

[JavaGirlBT]

That happens to me when I press twice and I use air-dried mandrels and Fusion bead release. Sometimes the bubble will go away or shrink down if I re-heat the bead thoroughly but not enough to have it lose shape. If that doesn't work, into the waterdish it goes. Sizzzle!

[Solana]

My mandrels should be pretty darn dry, because I don't go through all of them in one sitting. As such some mandrels, can be days old, but I'll still get the broken release.

Regarding the shape theory, I've had this issue using the following presses:

pillows
lentils
tabs
tiles

The only shapes I have not experienced the breakage are squeezed beads or pastilles/lozenges.

I've tried to reheat the bead to shrink the gap that's formed along the mandrel, but for me it only gets bigger with each press. :doubt:

[chrisdd]

I'm having the problem with my tab presses.

[lunesse]

i know i have used mandrels that have been sitting dry for days. Karla, that photo is spot on! Exactly! Ok, time to get some others in here.... I'll go recruit.

[kimberly]

Okay. I don't have this problem, but I do use make pressed beads, and sometimes I press them several times. I am Using Foster Fire. I dip my mandrels in VERY thin release. The release is thin enough that it runs down the mandrel and leaves a drip if I don't tap off the excess. Messy, but okay. I let them air dry, no flame drying. Then, I place the ends of the DRIED mandrels in the kiln. I ramp the kiln up to 950, then use the mandrels right out of the kiln as I am working. I do not get the release red hot in the flame, just hot enough to drive out any moisture that may be left. I have left mandrels in the kiln like this for many cycles with no problems. I use long mandrels and I have a kiln that the ends can stick out of, but since I started doing this, I RARELY have any problems with my bead release AT ALL. Oh, and if you are using new mandrels, be sure to rough up the surface with a scrubby or sandpaper before dipping for the first time.

[kimberly]

I almost forgot: When you are heating your mandrel in the flame, do not heat back and forth. Rather, rotate your mandrel and allow the flame to drive the moisture in an even manner towards the tip of the mandrel. Start at the base of the bead release, rotating the mandrel, moving slowly up towards the tip.

[Sue H-K]

Pretty much what Kimberly said...I make a lot transparent frit on clear simple lentils and if the bead release is too thick it will flake or break during the pressing and leave a big bubble. That and if it isn't totally dry when I start to wind on my glass. I had fewer problems with Bucket O Mud than with any other type of release, but most recently I've been making my own release and I use it really thin and it seems to be working pretty well. Like I dip my mandrels then whack them on the side of my trashcan to knock off any excess.

[lunesse]

Hm.

I double dip, maybe I will do a batch non double dip. I also heat from tip to base of mandrel, the opposite of what Kimberly said.

I will try these two things as experiments, next week, no time this weekend, I gots a Bullseye class! Actually, I will ask if they have any ideas. I will bring a "football" bead with me.

So much to ponder here.

[sadiesmom]

I got a tip on this once... haven't tried it yet, or even thought about it until I saw this question.

She said not to overheat your beadrelease. If you're getting it red hot, that's too hot and bubbles will occur. If you have to flame dry your bead release just heat it until it turns the lighter gray color.

Those of you who are lucky enough to torch in this weather will have to come back and let us know what your experiments reveal. :)

[lunesse]

Huh. I thought red hot was appropriate when heating it up for use, after air drying.

[JavaGirlBT]

Sometimes I get a bubble without the bead release even breaking or cracking. Sizzle.

[sadiesmom]

Huh. I thought red hot was appropriate when heating it up for use, after air drying.

I just don't know... but that's what she said. Next time I get some time on a torch I'll try it out. I was getting them all red hot before use, but was getting a lot of cracked beads with my lentils. She thought it might be the bubbles that can form along the mandrel line with heating the release too much before laying the glass.

[Renee]

Wow - I thought when it happened to me that I was doing something really wrong! At the time, I was using Foster Fire which I really liked, then quite suddenly, I would get those blasted bubbles along the mandrel like everyone's described. I've since switched to Bucket o Mudd, which I really love! I think my problem was two-fold: first, the Foster Fire had thickened. Water - such a simple solution! Second, I was heating the release way too much. Usually, I just get it to glow, but for some reason, I started to incinerate it! Anyway, I'm currently using the Mudd, and that stuff is really great! You can tug, yank, use, abuse (so to speak), and the stuff holds - and without a bubble in sight! Also, to divert for a moment, the Mudd, like Foster Fire is very smooth, and a suggestion I read about soaking beads in vinegar before cleaning them is probably at the top of my list of great suggestions! The release comes out so easily and the hole is left quite clear. I highly recommend trying this if anyone is having problems cleaning their beads! (Sorry for the diversion, but the vinegar works so well!) \\:D/ Renee

[SuzyQ]

Interesting. I guess my "dontcha go making bubbles in my beads" chant works :) I didn't mention it so you wouldn't think I was crazy. I'm sticking with my two day old mandrel approach until I see those darn bubbles again.

[art-with-heart]

I know the bubbles you are talking about! When I first started using presses I would always get the explosion of the release inside of my beads. I usually didn't care about it unless it was made out of transparent glass. There for a long time I just never made transparent pressed beads.

As time went by I learned to press my beads a little cooler then I used to, so I would have to make at least 2 squeezes. I do a preliminary press and then another press. When I tried this method on transparent glass, it fixed the bubble problem! So maybe it's not the bead release that's the problem but the stress on the glass when it's being pressed. The cooler the glass the slower it moves and that seems to help with the bubbles along the mandrels.

Just my thoughts...

Catherine

[lunesse]

This is awesome folks. So many things to try. I definitely heat the hell out of my release, I will try dipping thinner, keeping it wetter, and not heating it so hot right before using. Probably I will try each seperately and see what happens.

[earth*monkey]

Great thread. Awesome tips by Kimberly. Rated 5 stars. :)

[evenia]

I whole heartedly agree with Renee. I fell in love with Mudd about 6 months ago. I was speaking of it's virtues in chat the other nite. There is only one problem I have found with it and it is easily fixed. When making long beads keep where you are about to place the glass glowing just a bit. If the release gets to cool it breaks loose. That is only on beads longer than 1" that has happened to. Even if that part was preheated. but once the glass is on I have NEVER had one break loose and I have also not had any I can't get off the mandrel either. I truely love this stuff! Timberwolf Studios maakes it. You can get it online. www.timberwolfstudios.net

[Solana]

Boy, have I missed out on a lot since last night! I'm crazy busy at work, and this is the first I can post. Whew! :)

Maybe I'm weird, but the things people have suggested...I've done. I use Sludge Plus and dip my mandrels with a VERY thin coat. I always add water to my release before dipping. In fact, the release is so thin, sometimes, that I have a hard time getting the beads off the mandrel!

Anyway, I've still experienced this with my thin release coat...although...not as much as when the release is thicker.

I also don't over heat my release, and do EXACTLY what Kimberly suggested. I rotate the mandrel and heat the release to a glow and slowly work in one direction. :doubt:

Hmmm...maybe it's mostly the brand name of the release. Maybe Sludge Plus just doesn't like the stress of being pressed to many times.

Either way...this is great! Thanks so much for responding everyone! :)

[RSimmons]

I don't think that your problem is residual water. Water (unless under pressure) boils at 100 degrees C. Your propane/oxygen flame is 2800 degrees C, more or less. Once you run your mandrel through the flame and get it hot, there's no water left. I've experienced bubble problems before myself and I think it's got another cause. You can trap gasses from the flame or air in the matrix of the release, especially it it's put on thick, as in double dipping. The release has some porosity to it and theway you dry it can affect the way it sets up. Heating and cooling can draw gasses into the matrix. If these gasses expand again when heated after you've applied glass you'll get a bubble. I've had fewer bubbles since I started using a thinned release layer.

It's a theory, nothing more.

Robert

[PaulaD]

I use Foster Fire the same way Kimberely does---really drippy. Lately I've been mixing it with Sludge just to add a little graphite! I'm making 2 and 3 inch beads easily and they are not bubbling or breaking....Actually since I went back to Foster Fire I have no spinners at all..Paula

[Kaibeads]

i get bubbles off the madrel only when the glass is qucikly over heated. If I carefully and slowly heat the glass to molten and not more so than needed, bubbles at the mandrel never appear.

edit : oh and its possible, the glass isnt molten enough to form to the mold and cracking the release.

[ChaseDesigns]

My first thought is what Cathrine said. I think it has more to do with how hot the bead is when you press it that first time as opposed to water in the bead release. My recomendation would be to try pressing a series of beads at different starting temps. Deanna doesn't seem to have this problem and she makes a LOT of pressed beads. They're her bread and butter. Temperature of bead at time of pressing is important. And she does multiple pressings, she really likes nicely pressed beads and that's really tough without multiple pressings. I do make pressed beads as well and also don't have this problem. How hot is it when you do your 2nd-whatever pressings? Ours are pretty cooled for those pressings. To the point where it would be hard to develope bubbles for the other pressings.

Just a thought.

Greg

[lunesse]

My first thought is what Cathrine said. I think it has more to do with how hot the bead is when you press it that first time as opposed to water in the bead release. My recomendation would be to try pressing a series of beads at different starting temps. Deanna doesn't seem to have this problem and she makes a LOT of pressed beads. They're her bread and butter. Temperature of bead at time of pressing is important. And she does multiple pressings, she really likes nicely pressed beads and that's really tough without multiple pressings. I do make pressed beads as well and also don't have this problem. How hot is it when you do your 2nd-whatever pressings? Ours are pretty cooled for those pressings. To the point where it would be hard to develope bubbles for the other pressings.

Just a thought.

Greg



Hm. Usually cooler. BUT. If I screw up or don't have enough glass, I heat the whole thing up again to make it a new "first press," which might be part of the issue. But that's not always the case... I get it all glowy again before pressing, but not super soft, just heat it to glow and press. too much?

[SuzyQ]

My first thought is what Cathrine said. I think it has more to do with how hot the bead is when you press it that first time as opposed to water in the bead release. My recomendation would be to try pressing a series of beads at different starting temps. Deanna doesn't seem to have this problem and she makes a LOT of pressed beads. They're her bread and butter. Temperature of bead at time of pressing is important. And she does multiple pressings, she really likes nicely pressed beads and that's really tough without multiple pressings. I do make pressed beads as well and also don't have this problem. How hot is it when you do your 2nd-whatever pressings? Ours are pretty cooled for those pressings. To the point where it would be hard to develope bubbles for the other pressings.

Just a thought.

Greg

With all due respect I have never seen a straight transparant pressed bead from Deanna :) Does she make them?

I tested a few things yesterday. I do think a thinner layer of release may matter. I had a few gloppy applications from trying to apply somewhat frozen release the other day and those gave me bubbles on the second press. I did try really cooling after one press and just heating the outside for the second press and still got the bubbles.
Then I tried the very thin layer of release and only 12 hours of drying time. No bubbles.
Of course this could all change with the next full moon.... but thought I would share.

[alexm]

I am in agreement with Kimberly. I've found that the thicker the release, the more prone to breakage, so make sure that your release is thin enough (add water if necessary) and never double dip. I mix my own release and never get any cracking. If you don't mind spending $, use Fusion. It's pricy, but it's the best pre-mixed release on the market in IMHO. It's a thin release and it can be thinned down some more if you prefer. The only down side of it is that beads can be hard to remove, but I have never, ever had the release crack with Fusion.

[lunesse]

note how OLD this thread is. 2 years. I still haven't solved this.

Im still getting bubbles in my pressed lentils. I guess really, I need to just sit down with a bunch of clear and make them until I solve it.

Yesterdays' heartbreak:
http://www.lunesse.com/img/glass/beads/icemint.jpg

Bubble on left side, near cubic zirconia. I can't sell that! *sigh* And they are SO noticeable when it's just translucent glass, no swirls.

GAAAAAAAAAH. *rage*

[melzip]

I used to get the bubbles all the time, but figured out when I stopped pressing so hard, those bubbles stopped. It's okay to press a few times, just dont do it hard, and you wont get the bubbles. Also, be sure your mandrel is hot enough before making your initial footprint.

[AKDesigns]

I call the these "blow outs" and I think it has to do with pressing the bead too hard when the glass around the mandrel has gotten too cool.

[SuzyQ]

LOL! ok, my solution is the opposite. I think it is the core around the mandrel being too hot for this particular shape. I let the bead cool longer than usual before pressing. I do a slight press in the base only, flip and do another. It doesn't become a full lentil but kind of a half pressed lentil. Then I reheat so it doesn't loose shape but can be pressed completely on the second try. I only have this problem on my lentils and I make the mistake when I pull out the press and try to give it a complete press after my winding.

[lunesse]

I will try all these solutions tomorrow, sounds like pressing too much (hard) might be something I'm doing.

I will just haul out the cheap clear and try for 10-15 min each time I torch. FEH! =)

[ChaseDesigns]

With all due respect I have never seen a straight transparant pressed bead from Deanna :) Does she make them?

I tested a few things yesterday. I do think a thinner layer of release may matter. I had a few gloppy applications from trying to apply somewhat frozen release the other day and those gave me bubbles on the second press. I did try really cooling after one press and just heating the outside for the second press and still got the bubbles.
Then I tried the very thin layer of release and only 12 hours of drying time. No bubbles.
Of course this could all change with the next full moon.... but thought I would share.

HAHA, nope not much back then. I do make transparent beads now though, and Greg was right. I don't have too much of a problem with it.

OKay, when it is too cold (and I press too hard) the bead release breaks up a little and causes little bead release bubbles. When it is too hot sometimes I can get bubbles. However I have found that if I reheat it and try again, sometimes the bubbles go away. And I just reheat it enough to get is warm, but not lose the shape.

And I do think the bead release it'self can be an issue. Too thick or too much helps to cause bubbles.

[lunesse]

Went slower today, got some bubbles on the very first gentle press. Pressed cool, didn't get them sometimes, sometimes I did. But then the edges were very rounded, not precise. Pressed hot, quickly, and had none....or had a bunch. I know reheating makes them shrink/go away, but then I lose shape. It seems that a crisp edged press out of translucent glass isn't really easy at all.

I use Bucket of Mud, for what it's worth.

ARGHGHSDHGHSDGHGHGHG.

[ChaseDesigns]

Maybe you could try supper heating your transparent glass before you press? Sometimes if i supper heat the base color bubbles will appear, then I can get them out before I start shaping.

[lunesse]

It's still happening. I just cannot press a lentil without this happening! What is my BRASS wonky? WHY lentils? Why all the time, if hot or cold? I swear I am going to LOSE IT. Why can't I do this. One rod, one color, press a lentil, no bubbles. Why have I made beads for 3+ years and I can't do this. WHY WHY WHY I am going to really go insane.

[ziggys]

Maybe it IS the press ??? I read this whole thread but its 4am so not sure if you mentioned trying a different lentil press? Seems like there could be a bad press made.
FWIW,
Angela

[Kalera]

I have been obsessing over this bubble problem for days! I have had the release-breakage bubbles, but not the clear ones that you get, that seem to be gas emerging from the mandrel. I am MYSTIFIED. I have a friend who is a failure analyst, I am thinking about asking him what on earth could be causing this! In the meantime, you wanna try some of my release?

[Gail Joseph]

I'm so glad I just found this thread. I truly thought it was just me! I have mainly noticed the problem with lentils, and had just about decided that I could only make opaque lentils! I use Smooth & Tough now, and will try thinning it out a lot and see what happens!-Gail

[lunesse]

Kalera, do you have a lentil press I could borrow sometime for an hour?

All I need to do is just try a different one and see to rule out that it's the press itself..... Geeze.

[Kalera]

I have HUGE ones and teeny ones... nothing in between, but you are welcome to borrow one! I was thinking of getting a medium-sized one too, and if I do you can definitely borrow that too.

[Gail Joseph]

I have it happen more with the smaller lentils than the larger ones, if that means anything to anyone!

[lunesse]

Bibbity Boppity Boo,
Bubbles make my beads look like poo....

=)

I love you guys. Too hot, not hot enough, press to hard, press to late, press to early.....

I think it's actually sort of interesting folks get the bubbles different ways, even.

GAAHGHAGHAHGAHGHAG.

Kalera, at some point I will come fetch one for a weekend, then bring it back.

[lunesse]

This is is still driving me CRAAAAAAAAAAAZY. STILL get bubbles. Now I am using Foster fire instead of Bucket....and it still happens. Anyone else ever solve it?

[jaci]

Ok it's been years woman!!! This really is still going on? Without reading any of the previous, except your first and last post (literally) I would think it has something to do with the mandrel being hot enough before u lay your glass or the way you are laying your glass... J think you need a play date to figure this out with other glass peeps!

I'll go read it more now :)

[jaci]

Ok. After skimming for the good parts....

I get bubbles like that when I use certain colors. Light greens and blues come to mind. It's usually because the glass got too hot. Not the mandrel, the glass. This sounds weird, but can you grab a HH torch and try it with the same color and press and see if there is a difference? that would be a super low flame. It could also just be from the cool brass. I get divit in teal like crazy when I press if. I bet it you pressed this more times and kept heating and pressing u would find diving on the surface. I wonder if this is the beginning of that. The bubbles would work their way to the surface and wreak havoc!

[lunesse]

Seriously, I tried one last week and... one press. Bubbles. Maybe pressing too hard. GAH GAH GAH

[SuzyQ]

OK, I had to make hundreds of transparent square pillow beads for a jewelry designer. It's not just the lentil!! I was having this issue with my Foster Fire, then with my Fusion. I had hoped it was a BOM issue). I had to take twice as long to make these beads. In opaques I could just heat, press and melt out chill marks. I couldn't really do the technique I described above because there just isn't that much glass in those little pillows. I found I had to do half presses by squishing it in the base only. Total pita! But I swear, every single time I decided to try the full press a bubble would magically appear. You could watch it happen!

So yah, even though some people never see this and swear it's user error, I know it's not :D

[lunesse]

And yet, some folks DO do it. HOW HOW HOW HOW? I have seen gorgeous lentils and other shapes, perfectly transparent and smooth mandrel holes and NO strange bubbles! AUGH!

[SuzyQ]

I know. Deanna thinks I'm crazy because she has never had a problem. Maybe it's our aura? lol

[jaci]

Humm..idk :(

[amazon]

I wonder if it has anything to do with mandrel prep. Maybe what you use to clean the mandrels before you dip...maybe because you don't clean the mandrels before you dip...something along those lines.

[missp_32]

I used to make lentils all the time and really struggled with this problem. Eventually, I did figure out a method that worked for me. I finally learned that if I got the glass too hot, the bead release/mandrel would "react" and bubbles would form along the mandrel under the glass. You can get away with this (looks-wise) with opaque glass because only you can see the bubbles when the glass is liquid, but I always felt like the bead strength was compromised by these bubbles only I could see. Of course, with transparent glass, the bead release is impossible to clean out of these. On mine, the bead release separates from the mandrel and is attached to the lining of the bubble making it impossible to clean out.

Once I figured out how not to heat the glass so hot, I never had bubble troubles again. I've been making huge sets (100+ beads) of small beads these days and have been hankering to do some itty bitty lentils. I'm going to give this a try this weekend and will post pictures of my failures and hopefully successes.

Patti G.

[Kalera]

Seriously, I tried one last week and... one press. Bubbles. Maybe pressing too hard. GAH GAH GAH

STILL?

Girl.

Over Spring break I should come over and torch with you, and try to figure out what on earth is going on!

[missp_32]

The key (for me at least) is to not press when the glass is hot. Here's my results as promised ...

257605

[lunesse]

drooooool.

*sigh*

Patti, thank you! I did the beads below before reading your input. You are spot on with what the trouble is with the bubbles along the mandrel.

Last night pressed with REALLY hot glass, opposite of you, actually, but very gently, mostly let gravity do it. and... NO bubbles! But it was not lentils. I may have done puffy pillows before with success. They will be proof. Here's last night, glowing orange glass, gentle, gentle press. My theory now is that I was pressing too hard.

We shall see if it stands. Tonight I will do lentils, some hot and gentle, some cool and not so gentle, if I need to press harder, and see what happens.

DAMMIT THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Here are mine.

http://www.juiceglass.com/images/2012/pillowstrans2.jpg

Kalera, even if I DO solve this, I want a glass spring playdate! :p

[AKDesigns]

Yeah, I still stand behind my original pressing too hard and for too long so the glass is cooling around the mandrel as you're pressing.

[missp_32]

Oooh, yours are beautiful! I really didnt even use the top half of my press until the very end of the bead if that helps.

[lunesse]

yeah, I am starting to see it is pressure, and maybe intense heat. I made one and had a focused flame after I pressed.... and smaller ones appeared right by the mandrel, tho not connected..... Made 2 lentils, will see what happens in several hours... =)

[Kalera]

drooooool.

*sigh*

Patti, thank you! I did the beads below before reading your input. You are spot on with what the trouble is with the bubbles along the mandrel.

Last night pressed with REALLY hot glass, opposite of you, actually, but very gently, mostly let gravity do it. and... NO bubbles! But it was not lentils. I may have done puffy pillows before with success. They will be proof. Here's last night, glowing orange glass, gentle, gentle press. My theory now is that I was pressing too hard.

We shall see if it stands. Tonight I will do lentils, some hot and gentle, some cool and not so gentle, if I need to press harder, and see what happens.

DAMMIT THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Here are mine.

http://www.juiceglass.com/images/2012/pillowstrans2.jpg

Kalera, even if I DO solve this, I want a glass spring playdate! :p

Those are gorgeous! And yes, let's totally plan a playdate over Spring break!

[Kalera]

What olive is that? It looks a bit like Lauscha?

[lunesse]

Kalera, it's BE Olivine Tint =)

Spring break woooooo!

[Kalera]

Kalera, it's BE Olivine Tint =)

Spring break woooooo!

Oh, of course it is! :) I brainfarted and forgot that you're a BE girl.

[AKDesigns]

I just made some transparent beads today and I was able to pin down exactly what caused the blowouts for me. It was when I changed pressure on the press either from front to back or from one side to the other. If I pressed straight down it was fine. If I pressed more on one side and stopped it was fine. If I pressed more on the edge closest to me and then stopped it was fine. It was when I rocked the top or changed pressure from one side to the other....either side to side or from front to back. That's when I'd get a blowout.