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

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  #1  
Old 2015-06-04, 2:25pm
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Default Cleaning bead release - newbie (still)

Jeez, sorry to have to ask such an inane question but how clean is clean enough concerning bead release on donut beads? I'm using a simple hand held tool and I dip it in water as I clean the release with the tool. Do the holes have to be completely free of bead release prior to annealing? I'm finding some beads I made (that are not yet annealed) still have bead release in the holes.
Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 2015-06-04, 2:55pm
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It won't matter if the bead release is still there during your annealing cycle.

But you will want to get it all out before you sell them or give them away.

I found out that I could use a wet finger tip to smooth the surface of the bead release before making the bead and that helped make it easier for me to get a better surface inside the hole and thus easier to get it all out latter.
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Old 2015-06-04, 2:56pm
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You can clean them after annealing. I keep my bead in water as I'm cleaning to make the release come out into the water, and out of my way.
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Old 2015-06-04, 2:56pm
Floorkasp Floorkasp is offline
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From what I understood, and how I do it, there is no problem in annealing it with bead release still in there. I generally batch anneal, and sometimes I clean them before, sometimes I just take them off the mandrel to anneal and clean them later.
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  #5  
Old 2015-06-04, 3:14pm
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Thank you!!
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  #6  
Old 2015-06-04, 7:34pm
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Do you have access to a Dremel? A tapered diamond bit on a Dremel works wonders. Hold the bead under water to clean. Don't dispose of the water down your household drain unless you are close friends with a plumber and he owes you a favor.
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  #7  
Old 2015-06-05, 3:27pm
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Thanks, Artwhim, yes, we have a Dremel. That bead release is nasty!
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  #8  
Old 2015-06-05, 10:42pm
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You can search through the threads here and find conversations about folks opinions on the different bead release formulas as well.

ETA: I am partial to Foster Fire Smooth and Tuff myself. I have tried others that would either not stay on the mandrel when hot or would not come out of the bead when cold.

Oh and don't use softened water when your bead release dries out a little. The salt changes the way the release works.
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  #9  
Old 2015-06-06, 4:15pm
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Thanks, Speedslug. We are planning to soften our water so much appreciated!
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  #10  
Old 2015-06-07, 1:00am
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Reverse Osmosis water filters clean softened water well enough to use to add to bead release without any problem.

Oh and another trick I found was to keep my bead release bottle stored up side down.
This keeps the cap seal wet and prevents the stuff from dying out on you.
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  #11  
Old 2015-06-09, 7:22am
greghumphrey greghumphrey is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedslug View Post
It won't matter if the bead release is still there during your annealing cycle.

But you will want to get it all out before you sell them or give them away.

I found out that I could use a wet finger tip to smooth the surface of the bead release before making the bead and that helped make it easier for me to get a better surface inside the hole and thus easier to get it all out latter.
What a swell idea. I look forward to trying that!
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  #12  
Old 2015-06-10, 2:12pm
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Default Cleaning bead release - newbie (still)

I love the idea of storing the stuff upside down, thanks, Phil!!
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  #13  
Old 2015-06-26, 6:29am
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Lots of people prefer different bead release based on where they live too. Something about the air, humidity, maybe the water.. Not sure but it's very true. Where are you from?
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  #14  
Old 2015-06-26, 8:11pm
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Default Cleaning bead release - newbie (still)

Thanks, Jaci. Illinois, the only state in the Union that has incarcerated 3 of its former Governors. 😒
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  #15  
Old 2015-06-26, 11:36pm
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? Nearer the lake or further inshore?

I would be willing to bet that most of us still have one or two partly used bottles of different bead release brands that were part of the search for the kind that we liked best.


Good luck in your hunt.


ETA: Yours are just the governors that got dumb enough to leave traces and it's still early yet.
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  #16  
Old 2015-07-02, 9:35pm
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Foster fire has great sample sizes on their etsy shop too a few oz cheep to try. I have used foster fire and liked it in the past. It is pretty easy to get beads off, still strong in the flame and not to bad to clean. Didn't eat up the diamond bits at all. I think I cleaned 5000 plus beads with foster fire and the Dremel bit was still going strong. Sme of these other brands eat at the diamond bits more. I didn't realize this until later. But when you buy the good bits (Beadreamer by art in the round) at 30 bucks it sucks when it's just disappeared and you can't figure out why it's gone so soon!!
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  #17  
Old 2015-07-03, 9:40am
Barb Richard Barb Richard is offline
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Default Bead Release and reamer

THIS IS SUCH A GREAT SITE!! I've been looking for a long reamer for my rotary tool and just ordered it from Art in the Round! I anneal my beads still on the mandrels, soak in a bowl of water; remove the beads under running water and soak the beads in water to be sure the release doesn't become airborne; have heard that the addition of vinegar is helpful but can't see the difference. I use a small battery powered dremel (Walmart, $16) with a cylindrical diamond bit into the hole. Have nicked the hole with the shank if the bead is longish, so am very excited to get the long bit!

Thanks, everyone for sharing so willingly!!!
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  #18  
Old 2015-07-04, 7:45pm
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I live a few miles south of Springfield Illinois, Speedslug.
I grew up in St. Louis though.
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