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Sale Rack -- Sales, Promotions, Giveaways, Specials, Etc.
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  #1  
Old 2014-09-06, 7:01am
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Gail Joseph Gail Joseph is offline
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Exclamation PIERCED Flower Press- Problem--I'm working on it

ALERT-----I'm really, really sorry (and upset) to report that there is a problem with the slot in the upper portion of the Pierced Flower Press.

To those who have received their tools: If you haven't tried it yet, you will most likely find that the slot is not going to be big enough to accept the "tiny" mandrel.

The reason: The bronze casting company made their final version by molding from the one you have seen in my photos (the only one I had seen in person), and told me there would be a tiny bit of shrinkage. What no one took into consideration (insert enormous DUH here) was that while the size change was acceptable in the flower, it would mess up the slot.

The solution: I am going to work with my toolmaker (the person who brazed the bronze to the handles) to see if he can enlarge the upper mold slots. I am also going to see if I can find any "at home" dremel tool or file that is small enough to work and save on 2-way shipping.

Meanwhile, please let me know by email (gailjos @ gmail.com) if you are having this problem, so that I can keep track and take care of everyone.

I have devoted my heart, soul and pocketbook to this tool for the past year, and I intend to make it work and to have happy lampworkers using it!
--Gail
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  #2  
Old 2014-09-06, 7:44am
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how could you sell these without testing them first?
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  #3  
Old 2014-09-06, 8:40am
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It's a first run of a new tool. It happens. Sorry it happened this time.
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  #4  
Old 2014-09-06, 9:32am
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Quote:
how could you sell these without testing them first?
Yeah, and why would you post here before there was a single complaint, and commit your name, wallet and reputation on making sure all of your customers are happy?

The nerve.
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  #5  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:12am
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Quote:
Yeah, and why would you post here before there was a single complaint, and commit your name, wallet and reputation on making sure all of your customers are happy?

The nerve.
Thanks! I'll consider this a much needed virtual hug!
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  #6  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:16am
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Quote:
Yeah, and why would you post here before there was a single complaint, and commit your name, wallet and reputation on making sure all of your customers are happy?

The nerve.
Seriously.


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  #7  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:16am
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not the nerve

for your own sanity
for example someone here is testing a pattern for a hat
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  #8  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:16am
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One possible "fix", recommended by a customer's engineer husband, is something called "Mitchell's Cord." It is an abrasive-impregnated cord that might work... If it does, those who choose to try it could have me send them some. I'm going to see if I can find it locally today.
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  #9  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:16am
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Shit happens, and I trust Gail to get it fixed.
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Sharon Peters
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  #10  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:17am
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good I wish her the best
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  #11  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:21am
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I wouldn't think this would be that hard to file down with those thin metal files. There are ones in the set I have that seem thin enough to fit in the slot. How hard is bronze? Does it file readily?
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  #12  
Old 2014-09-06, 10:53am
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I took my bead cleaning Dremel and ran it through the slot a few times and it was fixed. Not a big problem at all.

Sharon
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  #13  
Old 2014-09-06, 11:32am
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Quote:
I took my bead cleaning Dremel and ran it through the slot a few times and it was fixed. Not a big problem at all.

Sharon
Tada!!!!
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  #14  
Old 2014-09-06, 12:53pm
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I had this same problem with my CD Bellflower when I first got it home and I used some sandpaper on a roll that I found in my husband's shop. So it can happen to the big guys, too.

It's called 120 grit Aluminum Oxide Emery cloth, FYI.
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  #15  
Old 2014-09-06, 2:05pm
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i thought it was just me, fighting with the teeny mandrels. I'll go play again.

I have faith in Gail. Thanks for being such a stand up gal, Gail.
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  #16  
Old 2014-09-06, 5:38pm
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All done -

First I worked on it for a bit with my bead reamer dremel, then used a little flat file to smooth the sides.

Appears to be FIXED!
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  #17  
Old 2014-09-07, 2:07pm
beadtress38 beadtress38 is offline
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No worries, the Dremel with the diamond bit for cleaning my beads worked wonderfully to fix it. Problem solved
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  #18  
Old 2014-09-08, 8:43am
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I contacted Gail about it right away just because I was thinking I misunderstood how the tool was supposed to work. She was super about replying.

My husband is going to work on it, but I wanted to ask her first so I did not do irreparable damage to it.

I can't wait to use it! I have been waiting for this tool, and this is an unfortunate issue. I admire Gail for stepping up and making sure people know she is on it.
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  #19  
Old 2014-09-08, 9:30am
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This thread persuaded me to buy one.
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Always awesome to see proactive vendors...

Last edited by isaberg; 2014-09-08 at 10:21am.
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  #20  
Old 2014-09-08, 4:00pm
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"Stand up" response to a problem Gail! Good for you!!!
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  #21  
Old 2014-09-08, 9:48pm
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Here are two DIY ways to fix the slot:

As I don't have any sort of bench vise at my new house, I simply braced the tool between my body and the kitchen counter to keep it still.

1) The Mitchell's Cord was a good, slow, more gentle way to file down the upper slot. I have two types of cord. I gently worked the thinner one up and back to grind open the slot, then did the same with the thicker one. If you want to try them, let me know**, and I'll send you lengths of both.

2) My preference for fixing the problem (and what I also did with my Carlo Dona presses) was to use my Dremel and my tapered, pointed diamond reamer. I have a variable speed Dremel, and using a low-mid speed and starting with a skinny part of the reamer (not forcing it), I ran the reamer around the perimeter of the slot (picture the outline of the slot looked at from above as a U shape.

As the edges of the slot became smoother, I then was able to work the reamer through the slot to make it more consistent in size, plus bigger, so as to accommodate the mandrel.

SO... That was a whole lot of words to say I used a tapered diamond bead-reamer to smooth out and open up the upper slot.

If you don't have a tapered diamond bead-reamer, they are available very cheaply from Widgetsupply.com, or, when I get in a supply I just ordered, I'd be happy to send you one. Again, let me know.**


The NON-DIY Fix:

If you really don't want to do this yourself (or don't know anyone who will do it for you) (it is really very easy), you can send it to me, and I will do it for you and send it back. **To do this, please please let me know, and I will send you a return USPS label (tell me if you are using the same box, and zipcode), and I will ship it back to you.

I really, really want to see people using and enjoying this tool! And I'd REALLY love to start seeing some flowers being made and used in some jewelry and/or other designs!!!!--Gail
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  #22  
Old 2014-09-09, 6:06am
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I worked on mine yesterday with emery cloth and that helped but I still need to do a bit more. May try my dremel and flat file.

btw, I also had to do this with my Carlo Dona flower presses so I don't consider this a huge issue.

Will work on it again today
Thanks,
Gail!
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  #23  
Old 2014-09-09, 7:54am
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Aside from the easily fixable problem how is everyone liking the beads they made? I am dying to see some!

Caroline
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  #24  
Old 2014-09-09, 8:06am
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I took mine to the bench grinder. The blade cut it to about 2mm, and a 1/16" mandrel is 1.6mm, perfect for me. Easy peasy fix.

I don't recommend this to anyone who isn't proficient with a bench grinder though.
Remember: if it gets out of hand on you, you can't put the material back so take your time if you do.

-D
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  #25  
Old 2014-09-09, 10:23am
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I have not been able to torch since I got mine, but this weekend for sure!!
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  #26  
Old 2014-09-10, 7:40am
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Wow, thanks for letting me know before it even arrives! It's a great idea, and I can't wait to use it!
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  #27  
Old 2014-09-10, 7:46am
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Can the bell flower beads be batch annealed or are they to fragile?
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  #28  
Old 2014-09-10, 6:40pm
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Quote:
Can the bell flower beads be batch annealed or are they to fragile?
Hmmm, I don't batch anneal...Anyone else trying this?
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  #29  
Old 2014-09-11, 3:23pm
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I don't have the pierced flower press but I did use a bellflower press. As long as you reheat after pressing really well they should be ok. I had problems using CIM bubblebath all of those cracked
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  #30  
Old 2014-09-11, 4:24pm
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Cool! HD just dug his heels in to my annealing less than 15-20 at a time so I either have only torch when I have enough time to make more beads, or batch anneal
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