Thingy for bead removal...

honey*bee · #1 2009-04-08, 3:12pm

I don't have the strongest hands and sometimes I have beads that I just can't get a grip on. I usually would just ask DH to do it, and he'd get it off. That is until he made a bit of a discovery for me... the backside of a mouse pad. It grips, it's waterproof, it cushions, it's perfect!! I'm sure you all have much better thingy's for this purpose but for those of you who don't... try it!

houptdavid · #2 2009-04-08, 4:00pm

Pop rivet tool!

squid · #3 2009-04-08, 4:04pm

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=107760

myrdlebp · #4 2009-04-08, 4:23pm

And some companies send out Free Thingies for promotion!!! Great idea! Thanks!

Gayle

honey*bee · #5 2009-04-08, 6:22pm

Maybe I should have said INSTEAD OF A RIVET GUN, this won't break or chip your beads.

Jinx Garza · #6 2009-04-09, 7:58am

Two words. O Rings. I guess that's a letter and a word. For the rivet gun. From the plumbing dept at HD or Loews. I guess that's more than two words.

squid · #7 2009-04-09, 9:09am

yep - if your bead breaks with an o-ringed rivet gun, it wasn't going to come off whole anyway.

Lisi · #8 2009-04-09, 9:24am

Quote:

Originally Posted by squid

yep - if your bead breaks with an o-ringed rivet gun, it wasn't going to come off whole anyway.

Yep, this is true. I've lost about 10 out of 100 this past week using the rivet tool, but they weren't going to come off anyway. My mandrels were really really old and had been warped just at the very tip so the bead could not slide off all the way. Forced with the rivet tool and CRACK!

Oh well! I have bought, cut, and ground ends down on 124 new mandrels though. So I'm okay for now.

honey*bee · #9 2009-04-09, 9:25am

Ok hopefully this doesn't come off as bitchy but if it does...

I posted this as a tip, jut a little something that happens to work. It didn't require anyone telling me what to try instead. I personally take that as rude as hell, someone tries to share something they have picked up along the way and you rather than saying "oh ok never thought of that" or "thanks for the idea" etc., instead tell me how I should use this or do it like that. WTF people??

This was intended as a TIP, most people already have mouse pads not everyone has a rivet gun handy. Also when it comes down to it, whether you use a rivet gun or not, the bead isn't stuck to begin with, your hands just aren't strong enough to grip it, so this helps with that. If the bead was actually "stuck" it wouldn't come off no matter what you use.

theglasszone · #10 2009-04-09, 9:37am

Aw, Kristina~~~

I hear 'ya...and I just think all the peripheral input was an attempt to assist rather than hijack - but as the original poster, I can understand how you felt that way.

I appreciate your suggestion - truly! I have 95% deterioration in the cartilage of my left thumb (my dominant hand!) and when it comes to gripping beads to twist them while on mandrels, I've used one of those rubber, flat "gripper" things. But after the first bead - if the gripper gets a bit wet - next thing you know the bead just slides around in the grip since its kind of shiny/smooth.

I think the backing on most mouse pads is "neoprene" (stuff wet suits are made from) and so this would definitely hold it's gripability (hum, new word?) better than the regular grippy thingie you get at the market.

Thanks for the tip! I think I'll get a relatively inexpensive, generic mousepad (6" x 6") and cut it up for convenient use and handling - and keep it handy!

De in CA

Lisi · #11 2009-04-09, 9:38am

Kristina,

I'm sorry...I was supposed to thank you in my post for the tip! I prefer to use the old fashioned way off twisting them off and the mouse pad's rubbery grippy side is a fantastic idea. My t-shirt is nowhere near as good as that would be! So I say, thank you!

The rivet gun is great, but I would rather not use that all the time, esp.with the mandrel problem I've been having. I'm throwing out old ones a little at a time, but I need so many I can't afford to buy more new ones now, and I sure don't have the time to cut and grind them! I did 124 last week and it sucked! But I have nice new ones and the beads come off real easy. LOL

NO I won't let anyone else help me with that, because the 1/16" bend too easy!

squid · #12 2009-04-09, 1:14pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by honey*bee

Ok hopefully this doesn't come off as bitchy but if it does...

I posted this as a tip, jut a little something that happens to work. It didn't require anyone telling me what to try instead. I personally take that as rude as hell, someone tries to share something they have picked up along the way and you rather than saying "oh ok never thought of that" or "thanks for the idea" etc., instead tell me how I should use this or do it like that. WTF people??

This was intended as a TIP, most people already have mouse pads not everyone has a rivet gun handy. Also when it comes down to it, whether you use a rivet gun or not, the bead isn't stuck to begin with, your hands just aren't strong enough to grip it, so this helps with that. If the bead was actually "stuck" it wouldn't come off no matter what you use.

Don't worry, I won't ever again pass along useful information to you. And yes, if you had said in your original post that you knew about the rivet tool, no one would have mentioned it.

WTF indeed.

artwhim · #13 2009-04-09, 2:35pm

Kristina, I never thought to use the back side of a mouse pad. For years I've used a rubber jar opener (the kind that are handed out for free), but it would be nice to have the extra cushion, plus the rubber ones tend to get rather brittle after a time. I have purchased one of the rivot tools, and it's great, but usually I give the beads a twist with the rubber dealie, and only switch to the rivot tool if the bead seems stuck. That system seems to work for me. I'm sure we have an extra mouse pad somewhere, will have to dig it up and give it a try. Thanks!

honey*bee · #14 2009-04-09, 2:39pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisi

Kristina,

I'm sorry...I was supposed to thank you in my post for the tip! I prefer to use the old fashioned way off twisting them off and the mouse pad's rubbery grippy side is a fantastic idea. My t-shirt is nowhere near as good as that would be! So I say, thank you!

The rivet gun is great, but I would rather not use that all the time, esp.with the mandrel problem I've been having. I'm throwing out old ones a little at a time, but I need so many I can't afford to buy more new ones now, and I sure don't have the time to cut and grind them! I did 124 last week and it sucked! But I have nice new ones and the beads come off real easy. LOL

NO I won't let anyone else help me with that, because the 1/16" bend too easy!

I did not see your last post until after I posted, you must have posted it while I was typing. I just got some new mandrels too, yeah!! Your very welcome, and that wasn't directed to you so I hope you don't think that.

honey*bee · #15 2009-04-09, 2:41pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by squid

Don't worry, I won't ever again pass along useful information to you. And yes, if you had said in your original post that you knew about the rivet tool, no one would have mentioned it.

WTF indeed.

squid · #16 2009-04-09, 2:57pm

Oh and by the way, your post did come off as bitchy.

Chau Nguyen T · #17 2009-04-09, 4:25pm

Peace!!!!! Hugs & Kisses.
May i ask what's 'WTF'?

honey*bee · #18 2009-04-09, 4:59pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chau Nguyen T

Peace!!!!! Hugs & Kisses.
May i ask what's 'WTF'?

WTF means What The Fu*k.

honey*bee · #19 2009-04-09, 5:03pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by squid

Oh and by the way, your post did come off as bitchy.

Ok. Wonderful, thanks so much.

Jumazio · #20 2009-04-09, 6:24pm

I would like to rename this post 'whatever works' so that we are all happy. Personally I have buns of steel and when I cant twist off a bead with my hands then..well hay, whatever works.

Little smile..sorry, life is art.

theglasszone · #21 2009-04-09, 8:39pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumazio

I would like to rename this post 'whatever works' so that we are all happy. Personally I have buns of steel and when I cant twist off a bead with my hands then..well hay, whatever works.

Little smile..sorry, life is art.

You got me giggling!!!!

De

theglasszone · #22 2009-04-09, 8:50pm

Sorry, but I don't think Kristina was out of line with posting her feelings myself!!!

I can understand why she felt a bit hijacked, even if all the information was proffered in an attempt to give "alternative" suggestions on bead removal, and in a sharing and informing fashion! And they were good suggestions, but I think her intent was to highlight her "find", and when the course of the conversation took a side route, it may have felt a bit uncomfortable to her.

I say please don't withhold tips, information, techniques and teachings!!! Glass Karma - if nothing else - would be bruised! Don't 'cha think?

De

squid · #23 2009-04-09, 9:10pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by theglasszone

Sorry, but I don't think Kristina was out of line with posting her feelings myself!!!

I can understand why she felt a bit hijacked, even if all the information was proffered in an attempt to give "alternative" suggestions on bead removal, and in a sharing and informing fashion! And they were good suggestions, but I think her intent was to highlight her "find", and when the course of the conversation took a side route, it may have felt a bit uncomfortable to her.

I say please don't withhold tips, information, techniques and teachings!!! Glass Karma - if nothing else - would be bruised! Don't 'cha think?

De

It is the way she posted them not the fact that she did. Simply the preface of "I am sorry if this comes off bitchy" means they know they are being bitchy. There were many nice ways she could have said it - none of which she chose.

theglasszone · #24 2009-04-09, 9:35pm

Touche, Squid!!! But to her credit, she did say "sorry" in advance!!!

I can commend her for that, as this was an act of grace I often don't possess myself!!! I say let's forgive and move on!

When you have an affliction such as mine, with my dumb thumb cartilage facing replacement probably sometime before end-of-year, any and all suggestions are appreciated! I have one of your handy-dandy rivet tools, and I lurves it! But there are times when "if I could just get a wee bit better grip" on that sucker of a bead - since it's not really stuck but some days I don't have even enough hand strength to hold my toothbrush (or even the rivet tool for that matter) - then the mouse pad may be all I need at that moment. I say it adds to a good mix of options...

De

maren · #25 2009-04-10, 1:04am

Quote:

Originally Posted by squid

Simply the preface of "I am sorry if this comes off bitchy" means they know they are being bitchy.

I dunno. What may sound bitchy to some may not to others.

Using a mouse pad never occurred to me, rivet tool or not, and I'll take it as a valid suggestion. - I'm thinking about cutting an O-ring out of mouse pad now. I'd lose any normal O-ring (or it would end up in my plumbing parts).

chrissij · #26 2009-04-10, 9:45am

I use a tourniquet like this one:

http://www.wheelchairmedical.com/p-1...hannelid=NEXTA

I'd suspect it's a bit less awkward to use, since it's so much thinner than a mouse pad...same theory though. It also works great for opening those damn factory vacuum sealed spaghetti sauce jars.

teachertracey · #27 2009-04-10, 10:10am

I can offer up my husband...one thing he's good for.

He has a great grip.

merigypsy · #28 2009-04-10, 10:34am

Kristina- thats a grest idea,thanks! I willl use that.

I accidently found another thingy, too. It only works with smaller diameter mandrels. It is a plain ol' can opener. Just the simple metal thin handle kind! You put the end side in where you would lock in the can. It really is just a "grip."
But it works for me and I am a happy camper with it!
I will try the mouse pad for my larger mandrel beads.

Merilee

Yvon · #29 2009-04-10, 11:09am

Quote:

Originally Posted by theglasszone

Aw, Kristina~~~

I think the backing on most mouse pads is "neoprene" (stuff wet suits are made from) and so this would definitely hold it's gripability (hum, new word?) better than the regular grippy thingie you get at the market.

De in CA

That's good to know, so the tip is really a great idea aside of all the other comments.
Kristina - Thanks for the tip.
and De - Thanks for the additional information.

Yvon

honey*bee · #30 2009-04-10, 11:54am

No problem. I have been using the same mouse pad for about a couple months now and it is still great! It gets bead release on it and instead of becoming a dusty nasty rag I just wipe it off.