|
Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2006-12-12, 8:49pm
|
|
Gina
|
|
Join Date: Jul 30, 2006
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 25
|
|
Mandrels-welding rods ok or not?
From everything I've read, as long as I ask for the right kind of rods in a local welding establishment, I should be able to cut them into mandrels, right? I mean 316L for soft glass or even 308L as long as they are TIG rods they should be ok? My instructor seems to think they may not be:
"Gina,
Welding rods are fine if you are sure they're 100% steel. Most have some copper in them which makes the bead stick. You can cut them down and then grind them smooth. That's too much of a pain for me."
So being afraid to buy something useless, I'm guessing I'll just pay more and buy ready cut mandrels. But just for my reference, are they 100% stainless steel?
Thanks!!!
Gina
__________________
I don't have issues, I have subscriptions! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2006-12-12, 8:54pm
|
|
I've got goodies!
|
|
Join Date: Mar 04, 2006
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
Posts: 274
|
|
Ask for 308L or 316L Tig rod and you will be fine.
__________________
-shawnette
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
LE members get 5% off all purchases!!
Coupon code LE
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2006-12-12, 8:58pm
|
|
Ass-kicking Cephalopod
|
|
Join Date: Jun 19, 2006
Location: Duh, Squidville
Posts: 9,523
|
|
It is SO much cheaper to buy the 316L TIG and cut them yourself! Definitely the way to go.
|
2006-12-12, 9:39pm
|
|
Gentleman of Leisure
|
|
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: A Little Bit West of Yosemite Valley
Posts: 5,200
|
|
Definitely 308L or 316L "stainlerss steel filler rod".... Either one will perform about the same....
Dale
__________________
You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Vendor-Artist-Studio-Teacher Registry To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
San Francisco - A Few Toys Short of a Happy Meal
|
2006-12-12, 10:02pm
|
|
The Andrea Half
|
|
Join Date: Aug 18, 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,411
|
|
That's what I use and they are fine; get the 316L filler ss--it is heavier than the 308.
I don't even grind them down unless the burr at the end makes my bead stick.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. * To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *
|
2006-12-13, 6:54am
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
|
|
I'd wonder about what else your instructor doesn't know about.
R
|
2006-12-13, 9:54am
|
|
Missing presumed fed
|
|
Join Date: Nov 15, 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 3,158
|
|
I don't understand the copper reference, either.
Hold out for the 316 if possible. I've got some 308 now and am having bending problems, but I'll admit that I'm tough on mandrels. I make big honking beads and use presses. People who are gentler might never notice a difference. I was surprised to notice a difference, but I do.
Whether you have a bur on the end that creates a problem may depend on how you cut the mandrels. The latest batch that I'm working on was cut by a friend's father using some kind of saw, and has some seriously nasty burs. (I'm guessing he took a whole fistful of rods and sawed them at once.) But hey, he cut them instead of me having to do it, so no complaints. If I'm doing it, I use bolt cutters.
It's cheaper to buy welding rod and cut them yourself, but less of a PITA to buy them pre-cut and finished. It's your call whether it's worth it to you.
__________________
To those who question the real value of the Web: Sea slugs. Now, please fall into a respectful silence, and don't speak again until you understand why you were wrong.
Scorpion and one Intensity 10 lpm 20 psi concentrator
|
2006-12-13, 12:19pm
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 31, 2005
Location: Corpus Christi
Posts: 508
|
|
The Stainless Steel welding rods are easily cut with bolt cutters. If there is a Harbor Freight in your area you can pick a pair up on the cheap. Search HarborFreight.com and search for bolt cutters They have good sales on them all of the time. Print out the page with the sale, and the store will honor the price.
Right now they have 18" bolt cutters on sale for $6.99. If you go for a smaller pair, just make sure they are adjustable. Look for a hex-head machine screw sticking out of the side.
If you are looking for 3/32 rods, you get about 14 pieces to the pound. After cutting off the mashed ID section, I cut mine into 3 mandrels. As the mandrels suffer damage, there is room to nip off the damaged area to make a shorter, but usable mandrel.
Steve
|
2006-12-13, 1:00pm
|
|
Gina
|
|
Join Date: Jul 30, 2006
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 25
|
|
That's kinda what I thought, but she gets me all confused! Thank you to my own world of Lampworking knowledge that I'd be led astray without!!! It's so awesome to be able to get a 2nd opinion!!!
Gina
__________________
I don't have issues, I have subscriptions! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:51pm.
|