Bead Release not Required
 

I am working on a new product: Mandrels that require no bead release.
Interested?

Mike Frantz

Yes, depending on how they perform ;)

Of course.....

My questions would be things like will they survive being dropped, and how easy would it be to get big or long beads off, and what sizes are practical. I like 1/16" for making jewelry.

Mike,
Are you kidding??? If they work - I am down.

I'm there. Tell me how much you want for 1/16, 3/32, 1/4, 1/2 and 1.

No bead release to clean? I would give it a try!

Yes!
 

Very interested.\\:D/

Totally this! I hate cleaning beads!

News That Is Fit To Print
 

I need to test the system and be sure that it is not harmful to our health and also make sure it works. This will take time, I also need to do some research on he MSDS on the material used to be sure it is safe.

I know that mandrels will not be cheap no matter if you buy them from me or make your own.

No big secrets, but I want to be sure that they work and are safe and do not burn your house down before telling you what they are made from and/or offering them for sale.

Still no news on 254 EDP. I still have close to 15 pounds, but they are not yet available for sale, perhaps I may use them at the possible 2018 Mini Bash.

I will keep you up-to-date on developments.

In the meantime the newest CiM colors should be in port in October!

Mike

This is intriguing. May I ask if these mandrels are to be coated with something, or to be made entirely of some different material? I'm looking forward to trying them!

I'm not telling what they are... I'm really uncertain myself. But if you want to learn how to use mandrels with no release, Tom and Sage teaches one method :)

Davide Penso also described a release-less technique. He refused to tell us how, but it sounded amazing. Count me in Mike! :)

Not coated
Different material

Mike Frantz

Depends what they fall into or on.
Should work with long beads, but testing required
Normal sizes might be available

Mike Frantz

More Stuff
 

I do not know what this other method is, but would be interested in hearing about it as well as what Davide Penso has to say. For a long time on Murano they made their beads on copper wire. Beadmakers would then soak the beads and copper wire in acid until the acid had removed all the copper.

I heard, but cannot verify that some beadmakers would then toss their used acid into the toilet or directly into the canals....not good for the sea life that lives in the canals and not good for the people who eat the fish that swim in the canals.

This is all very interesting.
Better than Storm Porn
Better than Political Garbage

Speaking of Politics I just returned from Victoria Canada. I bought a bumper sticker, but am not exactly sure what the message is:

"49% of the U.S. population and 100% of the rest of the people on this planet know this"

Mike frantz

If it works for long narrow beads with small holes, I'm in; bonus points if they hold up to repeated use. And if the mandrels can be made even smaller than 1/16" (and less bendy than regular thin mandrels), even better! :geek:

If you need testers, let us know! ;)

I was not going to describe it... but yes that's how Davide described the copper acid bath process. I did not know how they disposed of it though. Very bad.

I didn't want to hijack your thread, but even if Tom is teaching a nonrelease method, they need the supplies! �� I'm all in!

THIS!!!
If this new material is safe and sturdy, yes yes yes.

Would love try one!

I would like to try them also. Also would help test them if you need. Thx mike

I think that bumper sticker is referring to climate change, Mike.

That or the mental state of our fearless leader.

There is definitely a market for them, lol! I know many lampworkers these days who are concerned with the crystalline silica in many bead releases, but the cs-free formulas just don't seem to hold up to use in presses for large bead styles. If the release-free mandrels worked in presses, and were safer than cs, that would be amazing, and definitely worth paying extra for :-)

For me, it would definitely be a cost consideration.

If I can only afford to buy ten of the no-bead-release mandrels...that would not be of benefit to me.

It would restrict the number of beads I could make in one session.

It's EXACTLY the issue I ran into when making big-hole beads.
I can only afford to buy about six big-hole mandrels.
Making six beads at a time doesn't work for me.

I may be in the minority.
I don't mind cleaning out bead release.
I consider it to be part of the entire process.
(Like sanding in woodworking.)

I clean my beads with grit and the mandrel, so it is simple, quick, and very efficient.

Nothing against Davide Penso...but his input would not be a high priority to me.
There are many other flameworkers, however, whose opinion would be valuable.

I am pretty hard on my release.
I expect it to hold up under fairly rough work conditions.

Awaiting the new material with excitement!
We'll have to make up a big group order for the UK.

Mike - I am looking forward to test results! As you know - I haven't made beads in a long time - but have recently started up again (slowly). I work hot and make long, sometimes heavily marvered beads. If these new mandrels can stand up to the heat and abuse - I would LOVE IT!!!

I so hate cleaning beads!

Count me in for mandrels! Mini Bash please please please. I haven't made beads in four years. Just to talk to old friends and aquaintances would be lovely. I was wearing a red bash shirt of unremembered vintage at an art fair. A guy wearing a gray one from a different year bumped into me. We didn't know each other but we gave each other a hug and a low five.

Miss all you guys a lot. And Kimberley my dear! I would love to see you and have another cadillac margarita.

della (pam Spencer)

I would try them!