Lampwork Etc.
 
AKDesign

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


The Flow

Beads of Courage


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2012-12-03, 7:50am
Dr Bill Dr Bill is offline
No Longer an LE Member
 
Join Date: Sep 09, 2012
Posts: 173
Angry bent mandrels

bye

Last edited by Dr Bill; 2013-08-03 at 7:59am.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2012-12-03, 8:01am
misty's Avatar
misty misty is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 13, 2006
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 506
Default

I have the same problem, no solution though - Sorry
__________________
Dayna - Metamorphic Beads
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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2012-12-03, 8:04am
ElizabethCreations's Avatar
ElizabethCreations ElizabethCreations is offline
~ a.k.a. Sharlee22 ~
 
Join Date: Aug 27, 2005
Location: Somewhere in the middle, QC, Canada
Posts: 1,103
Default

All my 1/6'' mandrels get bend easily. I try to straight them up as much as I can but at one point, I just buy new ones as there get unusable
__________________
Liz
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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2012-12-03, 8:16am
Polgarra's Avatar
Polgarra Polgarra is offline
Nikki Haverstock
 
Join Date: Oct 10, 2010
Location: NW Colorado
Posts: 1,686
Default

1/16 bend very easier. One time I glared too hard and one bent. I often use 3/32 Mandrels.
__________________
Nikki Haverstock

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2012-12-03, 8:20am
losthelm losthelm is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 27, 2008
Location: Albion NY
Posts: 517
Default

The rivet tool method may help if mandrels are getting bent when you remove the bead.
It helps grip the mandrel a bit closer to the bead then your average chuck.

Often when dealing with thin mandrels you might just make a plain bead on the end and cut off a few inches to make a some Pins. They seam to go over very well for scarves, viels, and hat pins.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2012-12-03, 9:01am
Molly Bird's Avatar
Molly Bird Molly Bird is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 26, 2011
Location: Amarillo, TX
Posts: 254
Default

Mine usually get bent on the end & I cut them off. I have a lot of mandrells that were cut in half to make two out of one. I didn't do it, I bought them from someone, but I like 'em shorter.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2012-12-03, 9:56am
kansassky kansassky is offline
Dix Harrison
 
Join Date: Mar 31, 2009
Location: KCKS - But my heart is in Scotland
Posts: 526
Default

Suggestions:

1. Can you cut off the bent end? (I can work with mandrels way shorter than I thought.)
2. I turn my mandrels around (and use the other end) when I bend one end beyond repair.
3. If you send a PM with your mailing address to me, I could send you some new 1/16" and 3/32" mandrels next time I buy the rod.

Dix
kansassky
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2012-12-03, 10:03am
Pat's Avatar
Pat Pat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 22, 2005
Location: west of Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 5,371
Default

If they aren't too bad. I go down on the tile floor. Roll the mandrel back and forth and hit it with the side of a small hammer. Sometimes I can get it straightened out. But the smaller mandrels do bend easily.

Last edited by Pat; 2012-12-03 at 6:15pm.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2012-12-03, 10:25am
RSimmons's Avatar
RSimmons RSimmons is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
Default

Are you giving them a good soak before you try to remove the beads? Also try holding the mandrel up next to the bead with pliers and gently twisting the bead back and forth. I use 1/32 and 1/29 mandrels a lot myself and they are very easy to bend. A cheaper solution to buying pre-cut mandrels is to buy some 309 or 316 filler rods from welding supply and cut your own. They will get softer and bend more easily with use.

Robert
__________________
Robert Simmons
(Former) Director for Bead Donations
Beads of Courage, Inc.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2012-12-03, 10:26am
SharonP's Avatar
SharonP SharonP is offline
Flame Dames Rule!
 
Join Date: Jul 12, 2005
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 2,749
Default

I hammer bent mandrels on a steel block (but any hard even surface would probably do). Rotate while I'm hammering, and they go straight pretty quickly, and the hammering work-hardens them.

Started doing this when I had my teaching studio because the beginners would trash the mandrels removing the beads. It saved about 80% of them.

I've been following your posts, and it's wonderful what you're doing with the kids. Bravo!
__________________

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.

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.

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.

Sharon Peters
New Bead Display Stands Available - pm me!

Specializing in Critters and Puns and other Cool Stuff...

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2012-12-03, 10:59am
rosebud101's Avatar
rosebud101 rosebud101 is offline
I think I could be a bead
 
Join Date: Jun 28, 2006
Posts: 10,992
Default

Thanks for the tip, Sharon. I usuallly just cut mine off, but I'll try that next time!
__________________
Mallory

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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2012-12-03, 2:49pm
PerfectDeb's Avatar
PerfectDeb PerfectDeb is offline
Unmedicated since '62
 
Join Date: Jan 18, 2009
Location: Hunter Valley, Australia
Posts: 5,907
Default

try using a rivet gun to get the beads off, it does less damage

also, try buying the rod i bulk from a welding store, i bought $30 worth two years ago and havent even cut it all up yet
__________________
Deb

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.
- my 17yo sons first novel


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.
- download, get organised, enjoy
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2012-12-03, 3:20pm
Anne Londez's Avatar
Anne Londez Anne Londez is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 11, 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 575
Default

In my experience using a vise to hold the mandrel while trying to get a bead off is the surest way to bend them because it is very difficult to keep the effort along the axis of the mandrel. I try to avoid doing it unless the bead is really stuck. I usually soak the beads then grip the middle of the mandrel with good serrated pliers and rotate the bead back and forth without putting a lot of strength to avoid bending. When the beads are difficult to grip I wrap them in a wet sponge, it helps holding them.
__________________
Anne

Sea Rocks Tutorial
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
- Ebook
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
- Follow me on
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
- My
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
shop
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2012-12-03, 3:20pm
Dr Bill Dr Bill is offline
No Longer an LE Member
 
Join Date: Sep 09, 2012
Posts: 173
Angry beads come loose

bye

Last edited by Dr Bill; 2013-08-03 at 7:59am.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2012-12-03, 5:08pm
AmorphousDesigns's Avatar
AmorphousDesigns AmorphousDesigns is offline
Wonder-wench
 
Join Date: Aug 09, 2010
Location: land of milk & honey
Posts: 1,104
Default

I rotate them at eye level looking for the inflection point and gently bend them to straighten at that point.

I think I'm gonna try Sharon's beat 'em straight method next time, I like the idea of work hardening as they do seem to be getting annealed soft in the flame.
__________________
Elizabeth

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2012-12-03, 5:15pm
Mark Parkinson's Avatar
Mark Parkinson Mark Parkinson is offline
hi ho hi ho its off to ..
 
Join Date: Oct 27, 2007
Location: Odessa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 289
Default

to straighten mandrells place on a smooth flat surface 5 or 10 at a time place a heavy flat object on top the length of the mandells or longer and roll them back and forth will straighten out 99% of them. I aslo occasionally heat all my mandrells up in a kiln and drop them hot into a bucket of water hardens them up right away
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
People who call me weird think I should take it personally. if you really want to upset me you should call me normal !!!

on
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.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2012-12-03, 6:24pm
Pat's Avatar
Pat Pat is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 22, 2005
Location: west of Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 5,371
Default

I fixed my post. I also use a hammer like Sharon. Not a mandrel. Oops
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2012-12-03, 6:57pm
houptdavid's Avatar
houptdavid houptdavid is offline
honorary bead lady
 
Join Date: Jan 14, 2008
Location: Mostly the doghouse
Posts: 5,180
Default

Pin vise
__________________
David
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2012-12-03, 6:59pm
Jennefer's Avatar
Jennefer Jennefer is offline
KitseyBelle
 
Join Date: Sep 03, 2005
Location: Central Point, OR
Posts: 137
Default

When are the mandrels getting bent? When you are making the bead or trying to remove it?

When I started, I had a bunch of dowels cut into 6 in. long pieces. I drilled a hole in the dowel deep enough for an inch or so of the mandrel to poke into. I used this as a handle. When it came time to put the bead in the kiln, I used a pair of pliers to remove the hot mandrel from the dowel handle and put it into the kiln.

Added bonus, I was able to use shorter pieces of welding rod since the dowel handle was part of the length. I think my initial mandrels were only 6 in. long.
__________________
Jennefer
Just moved up to a Minor on a concentrator.....so much to discover!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2012-12-03, 7:24pm
allicat's Avatar
allicat allicat is offline
Senior Moment
 
Join Date: Jun 16, 2012
Location: New Yawk
Posts: 4,161
Default

Sadly, bending in mandrels that thickness is just inherent. You may want to try making your own Dr. Bill. Check your local plumbing supply stores, and see if they carry stainless steel rods, L304. If they do, have them cut the rods to your preferred length, and just file the burrs off then ends when you get home. It's a heckuva lot cheaper than buying them as mandrels, and since mandrels that thickness are going to bend anyway, why not save some money?

There is a bunch of threads about making your own here on LE; here's one to start you off if you're interested: http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=90254

HTH!
Alli
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


I never finish anything. I have a black belt in partial arts.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 2012-12-03, 8:34pm
PerfectDeb's Avatar
PerfectDeb PerfectDeb is offline
Unmedicated since '62
 
Join Date: Jan 18, 2009
Location: Hunter Valley, Australia
Posts: 5,907
Default

bill, are you hardening your mandrels before you use them? i always heat the last two inches or so (of new mandrels) till cherry red then dunk them in water, i dont get a lot of bent mandrels that way
__________________
Deb

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.
- my 17yo sons first novel


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.
- download, get organised, enjoy
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2012-12-03, 10:43pm
AVTrout's Avatar
AVTrout AVTrout is offline
Bohemian Bead Peddler
 
Join Date: Feb 12, 2007
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 1,206
Default

I would totally try the 3/32 or even larger, if I were you. Using a larger mandrel will also help to absorb some of your hand shakiness, allowing you to make a better bead. I get mandrels from Howaco, because they're good quality, cheap, and I can buy as much or as little as I want. I have shaky hands, too, on many days. I make a lot of big hole beads!
__________________
Alexis

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 2012-12-03, 10:54pm
Simply Lampwork's Avatar
Simply Lampwork Simply Lampwork is offline
Eugene, Oregon
 
Join Date: May 30, 2007
Location: Eugene
Posts: 311
Default

I buy the wire and cut the mandrels so they are really cheap. I cut a 3' length into 3 12" mandrels. If they get a bend in them I cut that end off and have a shorter mandrel. The short mandrels I work with first, it helps in staking the kiln. I can push them all the way in to the back as the first row of beads. If the short ones get a bend in them I can cut them again, usually twice is it. I have made fairy garden mushrooms on the end of the very shot ones. Then you them as plant sticks. Recycle is part of my compulsion to use up stuff. Sometimes its a good thing.
__________________

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.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Cheers from Nancy Gant
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 2012-12-03, 10:55pm
AVTrout's Avatar
AVTrout AVTrout is offline
Bohemian Bead Peddler
 
Join Date: Feb 12, 2007
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 1,206
Default

I also wanted to share with you that if you use COE 96 or 90 glass, it's a bit stiffer, and works a little slower, so you have more time to even the bead out. I used a lot of 96 & 90 when I was first starting out. Made some of my best beads using it.
__________________
Alexis

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 2012-12-04, 9:03am
Dr Bill Dr Bill is offline
No Longer an LE Member
 
Join Date: Sep 09, 2012
Posts: 173
Cool Mandrels hate me

bye

Last edited by Dr Bill; 2013-08-03 at 7:57am.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 2012-12-04, 9:40am
Lorraine Chandler's Avatar
Lorraine Chandler Lorraine Chandler is offline
Salt Box Beads
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
Default

I soak my mandrels overnight in palmolive dish soap water and usually most of them are laying in the bottom of the jar in the morning...

Very easy to remove, most just slide off. The trade off is that the madrels have to be cleaned very well and I take a very soft manicure block buffer to them before I dip them into bead release. But it is worth it.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 2012-12-04, 9:55am
Helua Helua is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 22, 2011
Posts: 7
Default

I roll(just as I was taught in my Lamwork classes here in Switzerland) my mandrels between two wooden cutting boards to straighten them. One at a time while pressing really hard. This works really well for the thinner mandels that easily get bent.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 2012-12-05, 3:22am
Anne Londez's Avatar
Anne Londez Anne Londez is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 11, 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 575
Default

Dr Bill, unfortunately I can't see how you can get the beads past the bend once it's been made. Cutting off the mandrel at the bend seems the only solution...
__________________
Anne

Sea Rocks Tutorial
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
- Ebook
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
- Follow me on
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
- My
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
shop
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 2012-12-05, 3:35am
marilyn h marilyn h is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 18, 2007
Posts: 763
Default

Roll them on my drive way under my feet. Shoes on of course.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 2012-12-05, 4:59am
Kym Kym is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 18, 2006
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 1,528
Default

Consider using larger Mandrel and thin tubing to bring the hole down to a smaller size?
I bend a lot of my 1/16s but not many 3/32s.

Kym
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 7:45am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 54.166.223.204