Holding tool for Glass Head Pins

cherylkroe · #1 2011-02-11, 8:25am

I have a few design ideas that I want to use my own glass head pins for. I have tried holding the wire with my key mandrel which works but I have only one of these mandrels and that means I can not do both at one torch setting. I have tried alligator (roach) clip held with copper tubing. That worked but when put in the kiln, the metal is not melted but gets really soft and the clip does not work as well the next time. So my question is: Is there a tool (cheap) that would work better than removing the wire from the clip before putting it in the kiln, which is sort of awkward? Anybody else doing these successfully?

Thanks for reading such a long question.

jamie lynne · #2 2011-02-11, 8:36am

A pin vise? Maybe?

cherylkroe · #3 2011-02-11, 8:39am

I had thought of that but mine is aluminum and not sure how well that would work. Need to maybe try a steel one.

Thanks

KarenBeth · #4 2011-02-11, 10:30am

I know there are steel alligator clips out there because a friend of mine bought some for this particular reason and then never used them. I use a pair of hemostats to hold my wire and then unclip and drop in the kiln. They are awkward if you want rotate them but then I hardly rotate because of the glass on the headpins being so small.

artwhim · #5 2011-02-11, 12:53pm

The aluminum pin vise works fine because you don't put it in the flame. I was a little worried the first time I tried, but it didn't hurt it at all.

Look in the tutorials for the one on making glass doll eyes. Sorry I can't remember the artist's name offhand. Her method of making glass eyes with a cane could easily be adapted to any design of murrini cane and would make great pin heads.

Found it! It's Jane Walker's tutorial:

http://jane.walkerillustration.com/w..._doll_eyes.htm

rosemarie23 · #6 2011-02-11, 1:03pm

Hold the pin in the aluminum pin vise while making the glass head on the pin. When you are done, loosen the vise and use a pair of tweezers or hemostats to remove the pin and place it into the kiln.

loribeads · #7 2011-02-11, 2:29pm

I use these: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/36901144 - the small one is the one I use for headpins. It's just an alligator clip with a handle but it does the job and makes it easy to drop in the kiln when they're done.

glassymom · #8 2011-02-11, 2:44pm

I don't know what a pin vise is but I use the little aluminum holder that came with my exacto knife. I can put in my copper piece, tighten just a bit and then I grab the wire with my tweezers or hemostats twist and take out and pop in kiln.
The aluminum does get a bit warm when I'm making one with all the tiny dots and colors but for a regular type it is fine.......
When I'm done I just pop in my blade and toss it back on my desk LOL
sue

cherylkroe · #9 2011-02-11, 3:14pm

I really appreciate everyone's input. I just was struggling to find the most efficient method. I love LE, everyone is so helpful.

Eileen · #10 2011-02-11, 3:48pm

I never knew you could even do this, so I'm off to see if I can find examples and instructions on what types of wire will work etc!
You can learn so much just wandering around here

cherylkroe · #11 2011-02-11, 4:17pm

That was really interesting. Quite detailed on how to get the glass eye balls. I wonder if the sequin pins she uses would work for push pins?
Just a thought.

cherylkroe · #12 2011-02-11, 4:34pm

Eileen,
I have seen 18 to 22 gauge wire. I have used Sterling, Copper and Steel.
I depends on the look you want. I have been tumbling them with SS shot and a drop of dawn to harden them back up after being in the kiln. Hope this helps a bit. I am definitely an amateur.

houptdavid · #13 2011-02-11, 5:51pm

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/...e-jeweler/WB04
http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/...-jeweler/BER18

The handle on some bead reamers is also a pinvise
http://www.firemountaingems.com/deta...p?PN=H203263TL

cherylkroe · #14 2011-02-11, 6:57pm

Thank you for the links David. You are always so helpful.

Eileen · #15 2011-02-11, 7:18pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylkroe

Eileen,
I have seen 18 to 22 gauge wire. I have used Sterling, Copper and Steel.
I depends on the look you want. I have been tumbling them with SS shot and a drop of dawn to harden them back up after being in the kiln. Hope this helps a bit. I am definitely an amateur.

Thanks Cheryl. I have 20 gauge sterling, and various copper, so I can play a little soon.

SharonP · #16 2011-02-11, 7:46pm

I've been making glass head pins for years. Started out holding the wire with needle-nose pliers, but then Arrow Springs made me a tool based on a set of locking tweezers that works really well - so good that I'm using them instead of the Dona wire holder that I snagged in Italy last September. Give A'Springs a call and talk to Craig!

*s*

artwhim · #17 2011-02-12, 12:41am

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylkroe

That was really interesting. Quite detailed on how to get the glass eye balls. I wonder if the sequin pins she uses would work for push pins?
Just a thought.

Yes, the sequin pins are a good length for push pins, at least the ones I have used. Right now I can't remember if mine were technically sequin pins or pleating pins since they were something I already had on hand.

cherylkroe · #18 2011-02-12, 6:54am

Thanks Sharon P, I will look at Arrow Springs.

Thanks Kathy, I just need to decide whether I need the 1/2" or 3/4". I really would like to try some push pins for work.

Anne Ricketts · #19 2011-02-12, 7:09am

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylkroe

I wonder if the sequin pins she uses would work for push pins?

I have used just the pins in the plastic push pins, just smash the plastic part off the pin. I then use my key mandrel to make the pin. I can only do one since I only have one key mandrel.

cherylkroe · #20 2011-02-12, 8:32am

Well I had smashed off the plastic but could not come up with a holding tool for something so short. When I was playing with that I didn't have a key mandrel. I will try that today. Thanks so much for the idea.

rosemarie23 · #21 2011-02-12, 8:44am

Quote:

Originally Posted by glassymom

I don't know what a pin vise is but I use the little aluminum holder that came with my exacto knife.

The little aluminum holder IS a pin vise.

PiP · #22 2011-02-12, 10:33pm

I'm with Anne, the cheap plastic push pins just take a couple minutes to smash. For the holder I took some medium gage steel wires (florist supplies, I can't remember what they're called.) and bundled them together with smaller gage wire. I left a little bit at the end not wrapped so that there was a little flexability. The triangular spaces between the pieces are great to tap in a pin. After the glass is added I just take my needle nose pliers to remove it from my holder while still hot. Wait for the holder to cool off, just a few minutes, and start over. Every few pins I'll take my pliers and pinch around the unwrapped end to snug it back up.

cherylkroe · #23 2011-02-13, 7:04am

Well I tried a couple of things last night, one the pinvise will hold the tiny push pin but you better be quick. It gets really hot if you dally. Also a bit of a pain to try to get it out of there and in the kiln. I could not figure out how to get the key mandrel to work for the tiny push pin. I did use the alligator clip for wire and just removed it before putting it into the kiln and waited a little bit to put another one in. Worked pretty good. When you do your head pins do you tumble them to harden them back up after annealing?

Anne Ricketts · #24 2011-02-13, 7:08am

Nance, you have a pic of that? As far as the key holder, I don't use the washer, just the nut and it's a little tricky to hold the pin and screw on the nut at the same time but it holds it once you have it screwed down, you just have watch it really good while you are adding the glass and make sure it dosen't touch the mandrel!

cherylkroe · #25 2011-02-13, 7:11am

Thanks I will try again.

PiP · #26 2011-02-13, 5:07pm

Okay, let's see if this works. I've never posted pictures before.

7 pieces of 16g florist wire wrapped in 20g wire. I push the push pins in the void and tap in gently to secure. Squeeze the unwrapped bundle to snug if needed.

This is the shot of the end. When I make another one I will cut the center wire shorter so that the pins can be placed in the center.

With this much of the pin showing you have plenty of space for needle nose pliers. Pull the pin out and reuse the mandrel (after it cools).

glass addict · #27 2011-02-13, 5:20pm

I use the end of a roach clip (I'm sure there's a better term for it). The other gets stuffed into a wooden dowel rod. quick and cheap!

Good luck!
Mary

cherylkroe · #28 2011-02-13, 5:33pm

That tool is great. I will try and replicate it, Thanks for posting pictures.

chrisann · #29 2011-02-13, 7:11pm

The greedy grabber from arrow springs works great, they have a long and short version.

cherylkroe · #30 2011-02-13, 8:59pm

That is funny, I almost ordered that once before for making twisty stringers. Now that will definitely be on my list.