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-   -   Skeleton Key Mandrel (http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234487)

artsyuno 2012-11-05 9:05pm

Skeleton Key Mandrel
 
Here's a quick tutorial on how to make a mandrel for your skeleton key beads. The photos were taken with my iPad so my apologies for the shadows. My friend, Cheryl Matson, showed me how to make these a couple of years ago.

PART 1:

What you'll need:

Needle nose pliers
Old mandrel (anything in the 9 -12" range, 3/32") - the ones that are getting too soft are perfect for this, because they'll bend easily. You can even use your bent mandrels.

Your torch
1 stainless steel screw
2 stainless steel bolts
2 stainless steel washers
Skeleton key

I suggest making sets with screws, bolts and washers in a few different sizes, because some skeleton keys have bigger holes than others.

I find the easiest way to bend the end of the mandrel is to heat the spot you want to bend in the flame. Aim your flame at the point you want to bend and then use your needle nose pliers (similar to making that first 90 degree bend to wire wrap). The bends won't come out as sharp-cornered as the ones in my drawing, but I think the drawing makes it easy to visualize what you're going for. Make the first bend maybe 1 1/2" from the end. If you have a crummy old pair of pliers you don't mind putting in or very near the flame, you can make it super easy by making the bends with the mandrel in the flame.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2u6gppd.jpg


These 3 mandrels all work. You don't need to be exact.


http://i49.tinypic.com/2yxqek2.jpg


The parts are laid out in the order you'll put them together:


http://i49.tinypic.com/2u5812o.jpg

artsyuno 2012-11-05 9:10pm

PART 2:

Connect everything.

Screw the bolt onto the screw, far enough to fit everything on. You can screw it all the way down, but I prefer to leave just a tiny bit of the screw end hanging out once everything's attaches so that I can remove the outer nut and bolt with and key with my needle nose pliers and put the key/bead in the kiln without the mandrel if I want to reuse the mandrel right away.


http://i47.tinypic.com/pydjm.jpg


Add the washer.


http://i49.tinypic.com/3516eec.jpg


Then add the mandrel.


http://i47.tinypic.com/kaoda1.jpg


Now the key:


http://i50.tinypic.com/i44t1u.jpg


Then add the second washer and the second bolt.


http://i46.tinypic.com/v81liu.jpg

If your key is attached at an angle, give the mandrel a little bend just a bit below the key so that the key sits straight. It'll make it easier to spin. even though the mandrel itself will have a little bend in it, it'll feel straight.


Ta da! You're ready to roll.


http://i48.tinypic.com/15h7br.jpg

Robinj 2012-11-05 9:26pm

Thanks!

artsyuno 2012-11-05 9:31pm

You're welcome! I hope it makes sense.

theglasszone 2012-11-05 10:14pm

Wow, looks spiffy! Thank you! ;) And it makes PERFECT sense! :)

brendah 2012-11-05 10:30pm

Thank you Felicia!
Now I have to go find that box of old keys I've been saving :)

Denielle 2012-11-05 10:37pm

Wow, you're quick! Thank you so much for posting this, I'm going to make a few tomorrow.

artsyuno 2012-11-05 10:38pm

I had one sitting on my kitchen counter, so I took it apart and put it back together. :) Have fun, you guys.

tnehlers 2012-11-06 2:38pm

So cool! I have a ton of keys that I can use this with. Thanks!!

AKDesigns 2012-11-06 2:45pm

Thanks so much!

glvz 2012-11-06 4:09pm

Thank you!

Georgia

artsyuno 2012-11-06 4:54pm

No prob. :)

Bretta 2012-11-07 6:39pm

Thank you for sharing this. Very excited to try my hand at it!

SLY Creations 2012-11-07 7:54pm

Well, aren't you the smart one. Thanks for sharing.

Sheila D. 2012-11-07 9:05pm

Thanks for sharing this! I have a custom order for 10 keys...this will make it sooo much quicker.

Tillie 2012-11-07 10:02pm

Thank you!!!

killerbeedz1 2012-11-07 10:41pm

Great idea! Thank you!

zen-mom 2012-11-07 10:55pm

Woot, this has to be better than using an "iffy" punty. Yay!

Calypso 2012-11-08 5:14am

Thank for sharing!!!!

Mitosis Glass 2012-11-09 7:43am

Well, look at you go! How cool is that! Thank you so much for sharing.

bexrox 2012-11-09 4:50pm

Yay Felicia!

artsyuno 2012-11-10 10:44am

You're welcome, all. Now I'm curious what about what peeps have been using to make their skeleton key beads.

zen-mom 2012-11-10 1:58pm

I was using a boro punty or a hemostat

Denielle 2012-11-10 6:27pm

I was using hemos too. These are much nicer \\:D/

Janetlee 2012-11-10 7:16pm

Thank You for sharing!!! Awesome tut. This will be soooo much easier!
Janet

Lizzydee 2012-11-10 7:19pm

thanks...no more wire wrapped for me!! :D

artsyuno 2012-11-10 9:22pm

Hemostats make sense, but they're not the easiest to spin. Did the keys stay attached to the punties?

zen-mom 2012-11-10 9:23pm

Yeah, but I didn't trust it very much.

BJJunk 2012-11-11 10:47am

Thanks for sharing!

iloveglass 2012-11-11 11:50am

I just bought 33 skeleton keys at a flee market in Ontario when I was visiting my sister. I have been using locking forceps all along to hold the keys while adding glass, but I like this idea way better as it will spin better when adding glass. Great idea! Thanks for sharing! - Di


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