Twisting without the cramp's?

Tutti-frutti · #1 2006-07-19, 8:40pm

Hi
I would like to make moore twisties and other canes, but my thumb wrist and finger locks up on me due to tennis elbow.
I finally got some armrest's but still i can't twist off my blob of glass.
Any electrical or battery devices other than the (beadspinner?)
A little too much money for me.

Thanks
Katja

bubblebabeuk · #2 2006-07-19, 11:43pm

Hi,
this is gonna be a really random first post BUT..........
I have the very same problem due to Rheumatoid arthritis in both hands wrists shoulders etc (Damn it, I have it everwhere).
Now what helped me is firstly I make cane on the end of an uncoated mandrel as shown in a tutorial by the brilliant lady who's name escapes me but who makes amazing Seahorses, Hang on I think its Kimberley?
Anyway I digress, so on an uncoated mandrel, cone shaped blob of glass etc etc.......
Now here's the helpful bit, I wrap a few elastic bands around the mandrel at the holding end rather than the buisness end, which creates a sort of grippy thicker handle bit! Works a treat!

BTW Looks like its actually my 2nd post, not my first, now when did I do that then? Baffled!

Tutti-frutti · #3 2006-07-25, 6:08pm

Thank's Bubble, i guess that's what I call you lol...
I'll try it as soon as it get's cooler over here.
TaTa
Katja

FigeroCat · #4 2006-07-25, 7:27pm

Cold water? Have to try it!

shawnette · #5 2006-07-26, 9:34am

http://cgi.ebay.com/27-STAINLESS-SKE...mZ150000746023

Raven Wylder · #6 2006-07-26, 10:51am

I'm on the same wavelength as shawnette, hiya

anyway I haven't tried it but the first thing I thought of when I read this post was a lollipop twister thingy's for little kids. I've seen them at Walgreen's or Long's. It's supposed to make a lollipo more fun.

Hope you find something!

Tutti-frutti · #7 2006-07-26, 8:15pm

Thanks for your support.
Katja

SL Beads · #8 2006-07-28, 2:47pm

There's a device called 'Pull My Stringer' which was invented by Victoria Gail. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I cannot find the link to her studio. If I am correct, she is also the creator of the Creation Station. I will continue to look for it, but if someone else can post her website, this product may be the best solution for your problem. Sorry, I am not too helpful. Sachiko L.

Quicksilverart · #9 2006-07-28, 6:55pm

The first thing I thought of was "don't eat before you twist", but then I realized you're not talking about the dance.

bhhco · #10 2006-07-28, 7:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL Beads

There's a device called 'Pull My Stringer' which was invented by Victoria Gail. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I cannot find the link to her studio. If I am correct, she is also the creator of the Creation Station. I will continue to look for it, but if someone else can post her website, this product may be the best solution for your problem. Sorry, I am not too helpful. Sachiko L.

Yep the Pull-It (aka pull-my-stringer) it is made by Victoria, the designer of the Creation~Station. BlueMoonGlassworks, a LE advertiser, sells them.

me

Tutti-frutti · #11 2006-07-29, 1:01am

No I can't do the twist never could......
But thanks for the tip.
Katja

SL Beads · #12 2006-07-30, 1:53pm

Hi me, thanks for posting the link to the Pull-It. I felt kinda guilty for even mentioning without where-to-get-it info. Now I can sleep well. Sachiko L.

barbaracollins · #13 2006-07-30, 3:45pm

Try Bearfootart.com. The Electric mandrel spinner, and other tools are great!!

Anne Ricketts · #14 2006-07-30, 5:58pm

Ha ha!!! That marshmellow spinner was Vicki's bribe for the Creativity Unleashed contest at the Gathering! For the Pull My Stringer you can contact Jim at Blue Moon.

kpastino · #15 2006-07-31, 7:06am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven Wylder

I'm on the same wavelength as shawnette, hiya

anyway I haven't tried it but the first thing I thought of when I read this post was a lollipop twister thingy's for little kids. I've seen them at Walgreen's or Long's. It's supposed to make a lollipo more fun.

Hope you find something!

Hi,
I've been using this make-shift tool

for a while and it works for me.
I used one of those handheld fan (got it for free) and removed the part with wing(?) and extended the stick-out-in-the-center from the motor part(

have no idea how to explain this, see the pics below if it makes sense) using one of my ugly bead and a piece of 1/16" mandrel. Also attached the pic of twistie and bead made from one of the twisties.

Using "spin pop" is great idea too. But I will need to hide it from my kids... or myself

Kyung

ardys66 · #16 2006-07-31, 9:02am

I have the electric mandrel spinner from Bearfoot Art and it has improved my twisties from "having to buy them from someone else" to absolutely gorgeous. Because the spinner does all the work you just hold both ends you get consistent twists. It was well worth the money as I use it for making beads too.

Passing Glass · #17 2006-07-31, 3:13pm

Larryboy, that is a great idea! I have several of those little fans at home, but I don't know if they will lend themselves to making a tool like that or not. How do you use it? I mean, do you heat the end of the mandrel and stick it into your twistie blob of glass or what? I guess I mean how do you grab your bit of glass to begin your twistie?

Way to go!

robinbrown · #18 2006-08-01, 1:32pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passing Glass

Larryboy, that is a great idea! I have several of those little fans at home, but I don't know if they will lend themselves to making a tool like that or not. How do you use it? I mean, do you heat the end of the mandrel and stick it into your twistie blob of glass or what? I guess I mean how do you grab your bit of glass to begin your twistie?

Way to go!

Yeah,, they Passing Glass said.... How do you grab your bit of glass to begin? GREAT idea! I'm terrible at twisties!

kpastino · #19 2006-08-02, 5:59am

I start out with Kimberly's Seahorse twisty tutorial (http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3450 - such a great tutorial, by the way. Thanks Kimberly.) At #5, she uses a tweezer to pull the stringer. I simply heat up the tip of my fan-thingy red and attach that to the other end of gather. And push the button to start the fan and pull away at the same time. Takes only a second or two to pull twisty and it's so even and straight.
Kyung

Anne Ricketts · #20 2006-08-02, 6:11am

Ok I just tried the Spin Pop with an 1/8 mandrel, it's spins but it spins kinda slow. How fast does the fan spin?

kpastino · #21 2006-08-02, 6:40am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anne Ricketts

Ok I just tried the Spin Pop with an 1/8 mandrel, it's spins but it spins kinda slow. How fast does the fan spin?

Too fast

, forgot to mention, I kinda had to put my finger on the mandrel to slow it down and to stabilize that too.

Kyung

robinbrown · #22 2006-08-02, 7:03am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anne Ricketts

Ok I just tried the Spin Pop with an 1/8 mandrel, it's spins but it spins kinda slow. How fast does the fan spin?

How did the twisty turn out?

Anne Ricketts · #23 2006-08-02, 7:31am

Opps! I didn't try the twisty yet, I just stuck a mandrel in it to see if it would spin it! I can already tell though that it will be too slow, you'll lose all your heat out of it before you get a long enough twisty!

bhhco · #24 2006-08-03, 6:44pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anne Ricketts

Opps! I didn't try the twisty yet, I just stuck a mandrel in it to see if it would spin it! I can already tell though that it will be too slow, you'll lose all your heat out of it before you get a long enough twisty!

You want speed? Try a modified battery toothbrush!
Bill

Dasi · #25 2006-08-10, 5:57am

I know the bead spinner is around $200 and that is a lot of money. BUT if you are having trouble with your wrist, arm etc. why don't you consider it?
I have used it and it really takes away the strain, especially when you do twistys. It might make lampworking more managable for you. I have heard of many happy people who use it.
I use it sometimes also. I recomend it to anyone who has any arm, wrist, or finger pain. It works great.

Frogsongstudio · #26 2006-09-20, 4:19pm

I bet a foredom flex shaft or battery operated hand held dremel would work great for making twisties!

Kikki · #27 2006-09-22, 3:20am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogsongstudio

I bet a foredom flex shaft or battery operated hand held dremel would work great for making twisties!

I have a vague memory of seeing pictures on WC! using that technique. If I only could remember who it was. Val Cox?

Anyone?

FourTailsLampwork · #28 2006-09-22, 5:58am

My sister uses her mandrel spinner to make twisties, and it works beautifully!

Tutti-frutti · #29 2006-09-30, 12:42pm

After all this time I came across my thread again and went on the ebay site that Shawnette told us about, and bought my spinner. Can't wait. I did hold the beadspinner in my hand from the creator, but 200.+ is way too much for me.

Katja

LadyCrow · #30 2006-10-13, 1:08pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tutti-frutti

After all this time I came across my thread again and went on the ebay site that Shawnette told us about, and bought my spinner. Can't wait. I did hold the beadspinner in my hand from the creator, but 200.+ is way too much for me.

Katja

Did it work???? Fingers are crossed ready to buy....lol