Bail Biters - Handy Andy VS JAWS Donut
Good morning everyone!
Just discovered the forum and hoping to get some insight from other lampworkers before I buy a new set of bail biters. I have been using Peters tweezers for a while now, and mine are getting wonky and becoming a real pain to use. Any clear bails I make end up with some black scuzz on the inside that I can't seem to avoid. I have found a set of JAWS Donut tool which I am completely unfamiliar with, and some Handy Andy's which I have heard good things about. Has anyone used the JAWS Donuts? (I cant post a link unfortunately as this is my first post on the board) Anyone have any first hand comparison on these two, or which would be superior? Thanks in advance! Kyle |
I had the same issues and decided that in this case less tools is better. So, I now connect a rod to start the bail, then use shears to cut the rod length to size, then use tweezers to bend and form the bail. Finally, just blast with heat to melt in smooth and ream the hole to size.
I feel it takes about the same amount of time for me since Peter's and Andys both still needed the hole reamed to size to accept necklaces. I did primarily pendants. I will say, however, that the JAWS tool looks pretty nice and sturdy. |
I've never used the handy andy or the peters tweezer either one. I just use my tungsten pick to bore the hole and then ream it out.
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Depending on what you are doing, you can also make your item at the end of a glass rod and then use a small spacer bead on a mandrel to form your bail. Stick together in the flame, then flame cut off the glass rod and anneal it on the mandrel. You may have to punty back and forth a bit depending on how you want it to attach, but the spacer-bead-as-bail is about the easiest way to make a bail that I've ever seen.
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