Problem with Pandora type beads

[mtnlaurel]

Ok- Someplace I messed up. I bought Dave's lining tool, both the Rio and the Bulk buy tubing and 5/32 size mandels.

My first problem is my bead release. I use Alice's and when I dipped the larger mandrels, the bead release was cracking all over the place. (Mixed up some fresh and same problem). For smaller mandrels there is no problem at all. It works fine, so my guess is I need another type of bead release. Any recomendations???

Second problem- beads will fit chain unlined, but I can't come close to lining them with the tubing. Is this where I double dip?? Isn't there just a larger mandrel that I could use??

ANY help would be greatly appreciated! I wanted to do some lined beads for an upcoming show in Dec, but I can't seem to pull it all together! Help!- Pretty please???? Renee

[playswithfire104]

I'm having the same problems! I HATE double dipping! I'm with you can't we just get a correct size mandrel?

[MaryBeth]

You need the 3/16" mandrels for the bulk buy Pandora tubing. I don't double dip - it just seems like a PITA to me!

I use the 5/32" when I want to make Pandora style beads that I won't be lining.

Hope that helps!

[squid]

what MaryBeth said and I hightly recommend Fusion bead release!!

[loco]

Fusion yummmmm! Here's my "Bead release rant:"

Please take no offense. I understand that people have their likes and dislikes in bead release. I understand I do. I have used various releases at various venues: Blue Sludge, FF, some pink crap at a studio (because I didn't know enough to bring my own), Dirty Looie's (yup wasted 3 bucks on that!).

I use Fusion (FPI), always have. Other than the 3 bucks for the DL (used it twice. Once with good success, the other causing a painful death by water, but at lease I enjoyed the sound effects!). I have only bought Fusion. It's what I started with, it's never given me any problems. For me it's easy to clean, easy to release, easy to have a relationship with. By that I mean I have used mandrels I dipped over 6 months ago, mandrels that I have double dipped, and mandrels that I have flame dried.

I have had to thin the stuff, but it works just as well when it's thick. I have thinned with lots of different things: Tap water, bottled water, water out of my bead cleaning can, and yes, even beer!

I expect a lot from a bead release:
I want one without a personality! I have enough of those in my head as it is. I want it hold when I burn, twist, jab, add glass and pull. I want it to not be offended by those wonkers that have been in all the jars I have owned for the last 4 years (I do occasionally wonder what they look like. I'm just not brave enough to pull them out).

I want a release that’s abusable, I abuse my glass, my mandrels, my torch, my tools, and my Studio Wench Pam, before she left. I expect nothing but the best performance from everything in my studio. OK so sometimes my Studio Wench would busy torching along with me and couldn’t get me that beer I want, but otherwise she was the greatest!

I hate to shop, I dislike decisions, I don't like change. I have found the release that gives me everything I need so I'm sticking with it. Fusion.

Woooooooo guess I went off on a rant.... Sorry about that, I now return you to your regularly scheduled bead release bitching.

[Ekkie]

Renee, when using the larger mandrels I found I needed to really heat the bead release until glowing. I don't know if this will help.

Isn't it funny/strange how bead release behaves differently for different people.

Fusion just broke all the time for me no matter size mandrel or type of glass I used.
BOM was fine until I tried to use it with boro.
FF Smooth & Tuff was fine except for boro.
Old FF Heavy duty breaks even with soft glass.
What am I doing wrong!!!

Sludge Blue was recommended to me but I can't by it in Australia!!!!!

Jenn

[squid]

Originally Posted by loco

Fusion yummmmm! Here's my "Bead release rant:"

Please take no offense. I understand that people have their likes and dislikes in bead release. I understand I do. I have used various releases at various venues: Blue Sludge, FF, some pink crap at a studio (because I didn't know enough to bring my own), Dirty Looie's (yup wasted 3 bucks on that!).

I use Fusion (FPI), always have. Other than the 3 bucks for the DL (used it twice. Once with good success, the other causing a painful death by water, but at lease I enjoyed the sound effects!). I have only bought Fusion. It's what I started with, it's never given me any problems. For me it's easy to clean, easy to release, easy to have a relationship with. By that I mean I have used mandrels I dipped over 6 months ago, mandrels that I have double dipped, and mandrels that I have flame dried.

I have had to thin the stuff, but it works just as well when it's thick. I have thinned with lots of different things: Tap water, bottled water, water out of my bead cleaning can, and yes, even beer!

I expect a lot from a bead release:
I want one without a personality! I have enough of those in my head as it is. I want it hold when I burn, twist, jab, add glass and pull. I want it to not be offended by those wonkers that have been in all the jars I have owned for the last 4 years (I do occasionally wonder what they look like. I'm just not brave enough to pull them out).

I want a release that’s abusable, I abuse my glass, my mandrels, my torch, my tools, and my Studio Wench Pam, before she left. I expect nothing but the best performance from everything in my studio. OK so sometimes my Studio Wench would busy torching along with me and couldn’t get me that beer I want, but otherwise she was the greatest!

I hate to shop, I dislike decisions, I don't like change. I have found the release that gives me everything I need so I'm sticking with it. Fusion.

Woooooooo guess I went off on a rant.... Sorry about that, I now return you to your regularly scheduled bead release bitching.

This ^ , is why I tried Fusion

[squid]

Originally Posted by Ekkie

Renee, when using the larger mandrels I found I needed to really heat the bead release until glowing. I don't know if this will help.

Isn't it funny/strange how bead release behaves differently for different people.

Fusion just broke all the time for me no matter size mandrel or type of glass I used.
BOM was fine until I tried to use it with boro.
FF Smooth & Tuff was fine except for boro.
Old FF Heavy duty breaks even with soft glass.
What am I doing wrong!!!

Sludge Blue was recommended to me but I can't by it in Australia!!!!!

Jenn

Have you tried thinning the Fusion? The only time I have had it break is when I have it too thick.

[playswithfire104]

I am a true FF smooth and tough user/lover. BUT it does crack on me when I use it on large mandrels a lot and I can't count on it all the time with boro. I tried Sludge (?) I think maybe Sludge plus? Didn't like that at all! Yuck! I wish we could buy small sample sizes of bead releases to try.

[SharonP]

I use two bead releases and love em both:

FUSION for most of my work. Before you apply the glass you have to gently warm it... if you blast it with heat till it glows red, the release weakens and will usually break.

The new DIP N' GO BLUE SLUDGE when I know I'm going to need really heavy-duty hold. With sludge you *HAVE* to heat it till it glows red, that strengthens it. And beads come off the mandrel as easily as Fusion.

I've found that folks who tell me Fusion is breaking are usually giving it the full red glow treatment...

*s*

[mtnlaurel]

Thanks so much for the input- off to find the fusion and the right size mandrels Renee

[mtnlaurel]

Ok- One more question?? Where can I find the 3/16 mandrels? I found the fusion on Franz site, but not the right size mandrels.....Thanks again Renee

[theglasszone]

Noodlesaurus has all kinds of sizes, including 3/16":

http://www.noodlesaurus.com/catalog.php?category=17

I use Sludge Plus - and I've been very happy with it! I have a couple bottles that I'm working through, but might (after Loco's rant - I mean testimonial..giggle and duck!) try Fusion on my next purchase!

De in CA

[Listenup]

My first and favorite choice is Fusion, for all the reasons Loco said, but with one exception. I use Bucket of Mud (old formula) when I am doing something that I want the bead hole as transparent as I can get it. I don't have to use the dremel to clean the hole so it's not as frosty looking, but I do find it much more difficult to get the beads off and I can't flame dry it so I have to keep a couple mandrels dipped in it just in case I want to use the BOM. I wouldn't mind doing without the BOM, but I LOVE the Fusion.

[hooked on glass]

I also use Alice's bead release and found that when you double dip make sure that the first dip is good and dry. Slowly warm up your mandrel. I found that when I put it right into the hot part of the flame it starts cracking and popping.
Hope this helps. I prefer the 3/16 then you don't need to double dip.Barb

[Lisi]

KRAG Mudd, awesome for big hole beads! Very durable in the flame with no flaking, and holes are really smooth.

[yeepers]

Originally Posted by mtnlaurel

Ok- One more question?? Where can I find the 3/16 mandrels? I found the fusion on Franz site, but not the right size mandrels.....Thanks again Renee

There's someone selling these in the Garage Sale