Lampwork Etc.
 
Send a PM to CorriDawn!

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


The Flow

Glacial Art Glass


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

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

View Poll Results: Which should I get, press or roller?
Press 9 3.20%
Roller 158 56.23%
Eyeball it, baby. 114 40.57%
Voters: 281. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2011-02-16, 9:23pm
Kevan's Avatar
Kevan Kevan is offline
Entropy increasing....
 
Join Date: Nov 12, 2005
Location: In a box of paints
Posts: 25,098
Default Making round beads - press or roller?

I have to make a choice. One or the other.
__________________
"I am an artist… I am here to live out loud." Emile Zola
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2011-02-16, 9:24pm
beadmama's Avatar
beadmama beadmama is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 22, 2006
Posts: 1,198
Default

I love my round roller!
__________________
Becky
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2011-02-16, 9:25pm
gemsinbloom's Avatar
gemsinbloom gemsinbloom is offline
Jacqueline Parkes
 
Join Date: Nov 04, 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 4,497
Default

roller
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2011-02-16, 9:33pm
Carolyn M's Avatar
Carolyn M Carolyn M is offline
Life is change. Love it
 
Join Date: Oct 10, 2005
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 5,566
Default

I use my press as a roller, so I vote roller
__________________
cRlyn, cause Traci says so

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2011-02-16, 9:55pm
JanithS JanithS is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 18, 2009
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 168
Default

roller
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2011-02-16, 10:14pm
Kevan's Avatar
Kevan Kevan is offline
Entropy increasing....
 
Join Date: Nov 12, 2005
Location: In a box of paints
Posts: 25,098
Default

I want to make like 18 -22 mm.
__________________
"I am an artist… I am here to live out loud." Emile Zola
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2011-02-16, 10:41pm
AKDesigns's Avatar
AKDesigns AKDesigns is offline
Storm Queen
 
Join Date: Aug 30, 2005
Location: SQUIDVILLE
Posts: 8,816
Default

I have a roller and I don't use it. I prefer to do it old school. I use a Zoozii press and hold the bead over it to eye ball the size better.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2011-02-16, 11:04pm
Lorraine Chandler's Avatar
Lorraine Chandler Lorraine Chandler is offline
Salt Box Beads
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
Default

Once I saw "the secret" to making truly round beads I find it easier to do without any tools.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2011-02-16, 11:17pm
Deborah Deborah is offline
beads....mmmm
 
Join Date: Jul 06, 2005
Location: WA
Posts: 1,871
Default

I have a roller, but I just can't get the hang of it. It's easier for me to get beads round by eye. Of course, they don't all some out exactly the same, but that's my error. Ha!

I seem to prefer brass tools rather than the graphite ones. Again, no fault of the tool.
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
::
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
::
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
::
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
::
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2011-02-16, 11:18pm
tammydownunder's Avatar
tammydownunder tammydownunder is offline
offically down under
 
Join Date: Dec 22, 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 3,131
Default

I used to say eyeball it but I need to make beads exactly a certain size and that is only achievable with a press or roller. I much prefer a roller -especially when you have a pattern on it.

I got this one from Malcolm a while back (when it was $27). http://www.artcoinc.com/marble_molds.php While I love the CG bead rollers, this one covers more sizes from small to large. I also needed a handle and so I attached one -easy peasy.
__________________
Tammy

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2011-02-16, 11:22pm
Kevan's Avatar
Kevan Kevan is offline
Entropy increasing....
 
Join Date: Nov 12, 2005
Location: In a box of paints
Posts: 25,098
Default

I mean round beads, not bagel shaped beads.
__________________
"I am an artist… I am here to live out loud." Emile Zola
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2011-02-16, 11:28pm
tammydownunder's Avatar
tammydownunder tammydownunder is offline
offically down under
 
Join Date: Dec 22, 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 3,131
Default

Yep, Round beads. The graphite rollers are so simple to use. If you have too much glass, move to the larger hole. Too little, add more.

I also have found them to be a godsend when I'm encasing. Often times the encasing goes bagel shaped and with the bead roller, you can easily get them back to round.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Tammy

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2011-02-17, 7:06am
nmsaddlebum's Avatar
nmsaddlebum nmsaddlebum is offline
Miles from nowhere...
 
Join Date: Mar 01, 2008
Location: Beautiful northwest Nebraska
Posts: 265
Default

Definitely a roller.

Kate
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2011-02-17, 7:18am
Jenne's Avatar
Jenne Jenne is offline
Queen Tut ;)
 
Join Date: Jun 01, 2010
Location: Bedford, VA
Posts: 773
Default

I eyeball it simply because I don't have a roller. If I had to choose, I would buy a roller rather than a press. In 'Passing the Flame' it's suggested to just make a bunch of beads and you'll eventually get enough of the size you want. That's kinda what I do, but I'm not trying for specific sizes.
__________________
I live in my own little world, but that's ok...they know me here.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2011-02-17, 7:19am
Babbles Babbles is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 15, 2008
Posts: 12
Default Everyone Loves a Secret!

Okay, I have to ask . . . what is "the secret"?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorraine Chandler View Post
Once I saw "the secret" to making truly round beads I find it easier to do without any tools.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2011-02-17, 9:27am
emtjab's Avatar
emtjab emtjab is offline
Burnt Wood Beads
 
Join Date: Dec 25, 2006
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 654
Default

Ditto...what is the secret??? I can't get a bunch of round beads to be even for the life of me....so this is intriguing!
__________________
Julie Libonate


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2011-02-17, 10:07am
rosemarie23's Avatar
rosemarie23 rosemarie23 is offline
aka Spawn Of Flame
 
Join Date: Jun 16, 2005
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 2,158
Default

I just recently started to use a roller instead of gravity for really round beads. It definitely speeds up the process for me.
__________________
Rose --

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2011-02-17, 10:15am
Beckah's Avatar
Beckah Beckah is offline
Butterfly Rancher
 
Join Date: May 08, 2006
Location: Colorado newbie
Posts: 5,827
Default

I like presses for flattened or geometric shapes but for rounded shapes, I prefer the bead rollers. I like how the roller, because it has an outside measurement, shows up the tiniest of places where the bead isn't completely true to form. In the tutorials at CGBeads, Donna talks about noticing the areas that stay light and bright. It took me a while to see it, but it made a world of difference in getting beads that are very uniformly shaped. I also think the roller makes it easier to turn out a number of same sized beads very quickly.
__________________
Torch connected to NG December 2005 and disconnected March 2013
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

May 2014 -- Good-bye Florida and Hello Colorado
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2011-02-17, 10:22am
Lorraine Chandler's Avatar
Lorraine Chandler Lorraine Chandler is offline
Salt Box Beads
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Babbles View Post
Okay, I have to ask . . . what is "the secret"?
Sorry guys, I just now got back to this thread. I have the secret in one of my bead books. It's Beads of glass by Cindy Jenkins, the artist is Larry Scott and the instructions are on page 68.

Kevan, I hear ya, I know what you are saying when you want perfectly round. The bead will be perfectly round, no dimples at the bead holes. It looks like a marble with holes. It is not toroidal shaped at all.

It is so much easier to see the pictures of Scott making the bead. You can practice with two different colors until you get the hang of it.

I will try to explain. If you make a small thin tube 1 inch long on your mandrel you would then wind transparent glass on the left side as if you were going to make a hollow. Then wind some opaque glass on the other side same way as if you are going to make a hollow. Make these winds thin, straight and pretty tall.

The secret is to make the winds in from the egdes. You do not want to wind right at the very edges of your base bead, leave a little poking out on each end, maybe 1/32 of an inch or so.

Then you add heat ( gently) directly between the wheels, slowly rotating, flashing the whole bead every so often to keep it warm, and as you concentrate the heat between the wheels it will "of course " flow together and when you are done it will be perfectly round. I KID YOU NOT! If I can do it anyone can do it.

The bead length is determined by the base bead length and the size is determined by how much you wind on at each end.

Using the two colors at first really lets you see how the bead shapes itself and you will be a pro at it in no time. It is very easy peasy.

Thank-you Larry, and if it is okay with Kevan? I would like to hear back how this works for you and anyone else and pictures too...maybe?

Last edited by Lorraine Chandler; 2013-08-25 at 11:37am.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2011-02-17, 10:31am
Lorraine Chandler's Avatar
Lorraine Chandler Lorraine Chandler is offline
Salt Box Beads
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tammydownunder View Post
Yep, Round beads. The graphite rollers are so simple to use. If you have too much glass, move to the larger hole. Too little, add more.

I also have found them to be a godsend when I'm encasing. Often times the encasing goes bagel shaped and with the bead roller, you can easily get them back to round.
The beads pictured are toroidal shaped, not perfectly round. I think Kevan wants a marble with a hole through it. A lot of people think a very round toroidal is round, but it isn't. They would be rolling around all over the place and not sitting up nicely for a photo shoot if they were truly round.

Last edited by Lorraine Chandler; 2011-02-17 at 10:34am.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 2011-02-17, 1:21pm
tammydownunder's Avatar
tammydownunder tammydownunder is offline
offically down under
 
Join Date: Dec 22, 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 3,131
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorraine Chandler View Post


The beads pictured are toroidal shaped, not perfectly round. I think Kevan wants a marble with a hole through it. A lot of people think a very round toroidal is round, but it isn't. They would be rolling around all over the place and not sitting up nicely for a photo shoot if they were truly round.
I just wanted to show how encasing can put a round bead out of shape and with the bead roller, you can put them back to round with a dimpled end. I make jewellery and I do not want a sharp end to cut the silver head pin or beading wire.
__________________
Tammy

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 2011-02-17, 1:26pm
Kalera's Avatar
Kalera Kalera is offline
I'm a lilac!
 
Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
Default

I use a marble mold as a roller... so I'd say a roller.
__________________
-Kalera

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 2011-02-17, 2:08pm
dweezil's Avatar
dweezil dweezil is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 19, 2010
Location: Lake Mary, Fl
Posts: 207
Default Roller everytime Babie!

As a newbie, I like the roller. The presses still confound me somewhat. The CGBead Roller is excellent.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 2011-02-17, 2:59pm
AutEvDesigns's Avatar
AutEvDesigns AutEvDesigns is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 27, 2010
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 261
Default

I have the Zooziis brass marver for round (and had the disk press) and I don't like the way the brass works as a roller. I also have a number of graphite rollers and, for beads that are symmetric around the mandrel, they are far-and-away the better tool IMO. That being said, I find that they work the best when you only use them for the final shaping. I don't find they work as a way to center the bead on the mandrel as you're building the bead, so in the end gravity and an eye for detail are still the most important tools.
__________________
Julie

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 2011-02-17, 4:15pm
alb6094's Avatar
alb6094 alb6094 is offline
I'm kinda biz-EE
 
Join Date: Aug 08, 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 3,610
Default

Roller! For marbles with a hole through them. I love love love making round beads with a roller, it's my favorite shape.

__________________
Astrid


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 2011-02-17, 4:23pm
Lorraine Chandler's Avatar
Lorraine Chandler Lorraine Chandler is offline
Salt Box Beads
 
Join Date: Oct 23, 2005
Location: Heading to Paradise
Posts: 4,161
Default

Those are fantastic!
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 2011-02-17, 5:20pm
Lisi's Avatar
Lisi Lisi is offline
one day at a time
 
Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
Location: We are MOVING!!!
Posts: 8,319
Default

I've never used a tool to marver and make them round because I don't like the pits it makes in the surface with many of the frits I use. Especially with graphite. When the pits are there, you can't make them disappear with more heat and sometimes they get worse.

So, because of that I only "eyeball" them. I did a tutorial a long time ago and while this is geared toward the newbies, it's good for anyone wanting to learn to make them with the best tools for the job - heat and gravity.

Here's the tutorial:

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ht=round+beads

Some spherical round beads I made so long ago and I forgot when:





I hope you find that helpful!
__________________
You live in a world of money. Money means choices. No money, no choices. Welcome to reality.
Melody (Marlee Matlin) from Switched at Birth
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 2011-02-17, 6:49pm
alb6094's Avatar
alb6094 alb6094 is offline
I'm kinda biz-EE
 
Join Date: Aug 08, 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 3,610
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorraine Chandler View Post
Those are fantastic!
Thanks Lorraine, I've used that picture way too much, they were my favorites I've ever made. I do lots and lots of rounds, that's become almost the only thing I do anymore.
__________________
Astrid


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 2011-02-17, 6:52pm
alb6094's Avatar
alb6094 alb6094 is offline
I'm kinda biz-EE
 
Join Date: Aug 08, 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 3,610
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisi View Post
I've never used a tool to marver and make them round because I don't like the pits it makes in the surface with many of the frits I use. Especially with graphite. When the pits are there, you can't make them disappear with more heat and sometimes they get worse.

So, because of that I only "eyeball" them. I did a tutorial a long time ago and while this is geared toward the newbies, it's good for anyone wanting to learn to make them with the best tools for the job - heat and gravity.

Here's the tutorial:

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...ht=round+beads

Some spherical round beads I made so long ago and I forgot when:





I hope you find that helpful!

Lisi, your beads are gorgeous! I'm just not that talented with heat and gravity though I have tried over the last three years. I need shaping tools.
__________________
Astrid


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
*
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 2011-02-17, 7:48pm
jonibird's Avatar
jonibird jonibird is offline
It's about having fun!
 
Join Date: Sep 30, 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 552
Default

I finially figured out how to make a round bead by hand... yay! If a newbie wants to know, I'd be happy to tell ya!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 3:49pm.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 44.223.31.148