Tubes for Bead Liners

jesnbec73 · #1 2024-05-27, 3:19pm

How do you guys determine what size tubing to get for your beads? Obviously it's related to the mandrel size, but do you go like 1mm smaller than the hole, or use the same size tube as your mandrels are as the bead release will provide some wiggle room? Hope this makes sense, we got a bead liner and will need to get some tubing to line our beads with but we aren't sure how to determine the tubing size...

echeveria · #2 2024-05-27, 4:32pm

I use the same size tubing as the mandrel, and double dip the mandrel. That leaves plenty of room. Are you aiming for a fit on a certain chain type? Like Pandora, Troll, etc? If so, you need to make sure your inner diameter will fit on it. Some tubing is thicker walled than others.

jesnbec73 · #3 2024-05-27, 9:30pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by echeveria

I use the same size tubing as the mandrel, and double dip the mandrel. That leaves plenty of room. Are you aiming for a fit on a certain chain type? Like Pandora, Troll, etc? If so, you need to make sure your inner diameter will fit on it. Some tubing is thicker walled than others.

Same size as the mandrel sounds pretty solid, every time I double dip a mandrel it seems like the release gets fragile or flaky though. Do you let it dry completely between your dips, or do you let it air out for a bit and dip it again while it's still semi-wet?

I have no idea what Pandora or Troll is, sounds like I've got some research to do. Is that a certain style of chain I'm guessing? I thought trolls were big ugly things that lived under bridges lol I'm getting old... I guess the thicker wall tubing would be less likely to crack?

echeveria · #4 2024-05-28, 6:54am

Pandora and Troll are chain brands. Just make sure your inner diameter is going to work for your purpose. I think the thick wall splits more easily since you need a bit more force. I use thin wall fine silver. I have a stash from when it was easier to find. Hard to get now.

I never flame dry my mandrels. I dip various sizes and let them air dry. I use Dip n Go Blue Sludge, and they can sit for years before I use them and are fine, even in humid East Tn. I use Fusion for big long beads because it lets go of the bead more easily than Blue.

There are several big long threads here about coring beads. I hate the forum search function so I start in Google and add lampwork etc to the end of my search terms. If you find a thread you want to come back to, subscribe to it and then you can find it in your subscriptions,

jesnbec73 · #5 2024-05-28, 10:10am

I am just right over the mountain from you in Asheville

Thanks for the information, we bought some tubes, copper, brass and fine silver and they are too big for any of my beads unless I use the largest mandrels and then double dip those, think they were 5mm ugh... If worse comes to worse, I can probably fume with the silver for a couple of years lol I'm a big fan of the Blue Sludge, it really seems to be able to take a beating. When Arrow Srpings folks retire, I hope they will pass that on to somebody else so it stays available.

echeveria · #6 2024-05-28, 10:24am

Well then you need this to cut your tubing. Best tool ever! I also have the mini table saw

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-m...BoC1PQQAvD_BwE

jesnbec73 · #7 2024-05-28, 1:29pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by echeveria

Well then you need this to cut your tubing. Best tool ever! I also have the mini table saw

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-m...BoC1PQQAvD_BwE

That's awesome. We got one of those little manual cutters where you tighten the nut and then turn, repeat. I think I'll get one of those, would imagine it's way easier. The bead liner took some learning, like learning when to quit LOL I cracked the first bead and I knew better, but wanted it just 'a little flatter'... I really wanted one of those Nortel Bead Presses but they quit making them so we went with the one from Germany. Anyways, thanks for the advice as always!