Release for boro BHB's

Myra · #1 2011-09-26, 11:24am

I am really trying to come to the dark side and just can’t seem to get the BHB’s off the mandrels. I’m currently using Alice’s Bead Release and tried at different consistencies without any luck; also tried air drying and flame drying. I read somewhere to get the mandrel hot (I’m using solid mandrels and not the hollow ones) and keep it hot which I have done. Also, I tried soaking in ice water which loosened a few; but I’m still losing at least 25% and they always seem to be the pretty ones

. Can someone please recommend a good bead release for Pandora style beads? Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Myra

BellaBean · #2 2011-09-26, 11:34am

I use Fusion and use it REALLY thin. I need to heat the mandrel really hot to get the glass to stick initially. I don't worry about keeping it hot after that.

LyndaJ · #3 2011-09-26, 12:21pm

I've successfully used fusion and a mix of fusion/fosterfire smooth and tough.

nevadaglass · #4 2011-09-26, 12:44pm

I took bucket o mud and mixed in approx 2 parts mud to 1 part of Dip n Go sludge and I am really liking the results. The sludge keeps the bucket o mud release from crumbling apart and the bucket o mud makes the beads easier to get off mandrel than just plain sludge!

I didnt thin at all - just dip mandrels and air dry.

I also have noticed that when I was using just plain mud - after a few days, "older" dipped mandrels seem to flake/crumble apart much easier and didnt hold up as much as freshly dipped and dried mandrels did. I don't have that issue with the new "brew" - If I dont use all my dipped mandrels for say a week, they are still good when I get ready to use.

Mr. Smiley · #5 2011-09-26, 3:44pm

Sludge Plus...

Tanner Studios · #6 2011-09-26, 4:43pm

My Vote is sludge plus, Dip and go sludge and Fusion. Keep them thin and fresh.

But conceder this. If your mandrels are old and you've been working them hard with boro they maybe worn out. I truly believe that the heat that is required for Boro effects the mandrel faster then soft glass. Its obvious went you burn through a mandrel or bend it.

But I believe something like this is happening to well used mandrels. Doesn't matter if it Boro or soft. Over time the metal of the mandrel will be worn away and will look something like this.

And no sludge in the world will release from that.
Scott

missp_32 · #7 2011-09-27, 3:45am

I've had no issues with Bucket of Mud.

SerendipityArtGlass · #8 2011-09-29, 2:38am

Bucket of Mud. Tried Alice's and had same problem you have...wouldn't take the punishment. Absolutely loving BOM, using for BHB, ring mandrels. hollow mandrels.....all of it.

todda · #9 2011-09-29, 5:42am

fosterfire smooth and tough

Baywinger · #10 2011-09-29, 11:39pm

sludge plus is awesome the manufacture says super blue sludge for boro but it is difficult to remove the beads and sludge plus hold them just fine

Myra · #11 2011-10-03, 2:35pm

Thanks everyone for your input; I really appreciate your answers.

cheng076 · #12 2011-10-05, 9:32am

Metals such as stainless steel contain various alloys that give the particular metal, 304, 308, 316 etc., their charactoristics. Heating the rods will eventually breakdown the structure and burn off some of thise alloys thus changing the properties. Bead release that contains graphite, a form of carbon, accelerates that process as the high heat 'alloys' carbon into the steel and reduces its 'stainless' properties making it more of a carbon steel. You may have noticed pitting in the area of the mandrel where your beads are formed. This is where the alloys have burned away and left pitts.
Mandrels do were out; how fast is a combination of many factors.
PJH

deb tarry · #13 2011-10-06, 7:45am

Interesting I didn't know that is what happens to the rods thanks for sharing