View Single Post
  #3  
Old 2012-04-22, 1:15am
Alaska Alaska is offline
Alaska Boro
 
Join Date: Dec 10, 2009
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 1,065
Default

My boro process is a bit different. Beads are first removed from the mandrel. Then cleaned. The idea being is that if the cold bead is stressed removing from the mandrel and perhaps cleaning will help sort out beads that are prone to cracking.

Beads off of mandrels also take up less space, thus more can be placed in the kiln. And it is nice to be done with process once they are annealed. In place of removing and cleaning.

The best process for larger beads or with shocky glass is to place the bead into a hot kiln to garage as other beads are being made. Many do this with good results and then run the annealing cycle at the end of the bead production cycle.

Overall the best process will depend on your work flow and the tolerated bead loss.
Reply With Quote