Totally new here, question.
 

Hey everyone,
If this question has been asked before please point me in the right direction, I used the search and didn't find an answer. I just started making beads last week. I am having issues with my bead release. When I heat my mandrel the release cracks and either goes flying off or gets all over my bead. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong? I have cleaned my mandrels and used a low grit sandpaper and that hasn't helped. I also tried to flame dry them but got the same result as air dry. Thank you in advance

I always stick my mandrels in the flame to burn off any machining oil before I use them. What kind of bead release are you using? How long do you let it dry?

How thick is it when you use it? I like mine like thin pancake batter.
Adding water as needed to get that consistency.

I am using the fireworks release, it is the stuff that came in the kit I received, and I am letting them dry overnight.

I am putting one coat on, so not very thick and it is about the same thickness as Elmers glue... maybe I should try thinning it out a bit?

I don't know of anyone who has had good luck the Fireworks bead release. Take a look at some of the vendors' sites on this board and see what they have to offer. There are many types of bead release that will do a good job for you. I've used Alice's bead release for over 10 years and it's worked really well for me (it comes in a powder form that you mix with water). Others use Foster Fire, Sludge Plus, Fusion, etc. I know how frustrating it is to have crappy bead release, so you have my sympathy! Good luck.

Mimi

There's your problem.

Yep, I was going to say it's the bead release. Robin Foster sells the bead release I use and she's having a sale right now. Fosterfire.

Sue

Two thumbs up for Forster Fire!

Is there a reason the type I have doesn't work? Or is it just a crappy product?

Crappy product. Never heard of anyone that uses it successfully.

Fyi: the torch will crash out pretty soon too. You can light it manually (use a striker) but you might want to go ahead and look into getting a hot head torch. Works like a fireworks, but better.
My favorite bead release, foster fire https://www.etsy.com/shop/FosterFireBR
You won't believe the difference!

Crap crap crap - Fosterfire or Fusion

There are 5 hot heads for sale over in the garage sale area right now.

Thank you all for your suggestions!! I am going to order some of the foster fire release today. As far as torch heads go, a friend of my husband's offered to sell me her oxygen/ propane set up for a really good price, but I don't know.... is this getting ahead of myself? Should I just get a hothead and stick with the mapp gas for now?

If it's a good deal snag it! You can always post it for sale in the Garage Sale area if you don't end up using it. 90% of my equipment came to me that way. The less you spend on equipment the more you can spend on glass!

Very good point! I may have just bought 18lbs of glass :-\" I can see this turning into a major addiction

oh, that is an understatement!
The good news is you will be so darn happy about it!
and yes, always upgrade if you can. You will want a bigger torch sooner or later.

18 pounds? Nothing like jumping in with both feet! :fnwl:

lol go big or go home :twisted:

You need to meet up with Leslie Bitgood, AKA Crazy Woman glass. She's in Lakewood. The enormity of her stash puts us all to shame.

oh very cool! Lakewood is not far from me at all! I will have to look her up.