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| Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2009-10-29, 5:23pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
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Bead Releases
Like most of us, I have been in search of the perfect bead release, since I began beadmakeing over 7 years ago. I wanted a release that could take some, (even alot of), abuse, but would let me remove the bead from the mandrel when I wanted to, and cleaned out of the hole with a minimum of work.
I began with FosterFire, then moved on to FosterFire Smooth and Tuff. I tried Bucket o' Mud, and most recently, Super Blue Sludge. Each has a following, and each certainly has merit. This last batch of Super Blue Sludge has me frustrated, however.
1) The release wants to bubble on the mandrel while drying. I have not flame-dried yet, so it is an air-dried situation. I don't want to double the dip if i can avoid it.
2) It seems to hold up well to working the glass but just plain does not want to let go of the bead when I am trying to remove one. Nor does it clean out of the bead well. I have heated the release til glowing before applying the glass, as instructed. I have to use vice grips to hold the mandrel and struggle with EVERY bead. The vice grips are ruining my mandrels.
Any ideas??????? Share your fave bead release, but for my money, avoid Super Blue Sludge!!
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Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
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leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
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2009-10-29, 5:51pm
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Formerly known as LT
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Join Date: Feb 25, 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,624
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I mix bucket of mud and foster fire together about 1/2 and 1/2. I try to let it dry before using or sometimes it will flake but this mix has worked very well for me for several years.
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Londa
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2009-10-29, 7:56pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 02, 2005
Location: South Carolina Lowcountry
Posts: 730
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I have some of both. I will try it!!
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Melodie Lee, LeeBeads
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leebeads.etsy.com, leebeads.artfire.com
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2009-10-29, 10:44pm
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Lampworkaholic!
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Join Date: Apr 22, 2008
Location: Cornelius, NC - because weather
Posts: 5,158
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I think I found the perfect mix. 2/3 Krag Mudd and 1/3 Blue Sludge. 
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"And all will turn to silver glass, a light on the water, grey ships pass into the west." Annie Lennox
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2009-10-30, 3:03am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 30, 2005
Location: Southern Michigan
Posts: 353
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I love about 2/3 Fosterfire with 1/3 Fusion. Try some mixing... I think the Fusion gives the Fosterfire a bit more gripping power in the flame and less flaking. It still stays to where you can just twist the bead off without lots of pressure and clean out is easy.
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2009-11-01, 8:59am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
Location: Yarmouth, Maine...home of the Clamfest
Posts: 7,693
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Fusion.
Love it.
Nikki uses it.
Loco uses it.
Aside from the "studio stuff" that Ed mixes up @ Playing with Fire down in Rockland, it's the best stuff in the world!
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And if I laugh at any mortal thing, ‘Tis that I may not weep...” ~Lord Byron
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new purple cricket @ home! minicc @ playing with fire in rockland! Sue & Nikki fighting over who gets to anneal the wonkies
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2009-11-01, 9:15am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 27, 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 340
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I've always used super sludge...not the blue, It's what i've always used for large, really large and just plain small beads and they all come off easy from the mandrel. The only ones that are a little tougher to get off are long skinny beads but I just stick the mandrel in a table vise and it comes off fine.
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2009-11-01, 6:25pm
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drinks pickle juice
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2008
Location: Linden, Michigan
Posts: 230
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I have said this before, and I will say it again. I love the mohawk mud that you can get from Moretti and More. It dries smooth (I like to flame dry it) and holds up to repeated pressing and long times in the flame, I can twist the beads off when I hold the mandrel with some needle nose pliers, and I find it cleans out great with a dremel.
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~Gina~
Blind Monkey Designs
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