Ring Toppers

[Curlybird]

I've just made may first ring topper, and I was really pleased with it until I went to put it on my ring.   I've got some glass down the inside, probably whilst I was shaping it with a marble shaper, so although it will screw onto the ring OK there is a gap between the bottom of the ring topper and the ring.

So, how do I stop glass filling the hole where the little rubber thingy burns out from?

Anne

[Les]

What colours were you using ? I was advised to use a stiffer transparent colour when doing the initial wind on, to help prevent glass falling back into the hole

[Kalorlo]

Put an extra dollop of bead release on top after you've put the nut on the mandrel, so it fills the hole (but doesn't go on the outside of the nut).

[MangoBeads]

ditto what heather says .... use bead release to fill the gap ...

[julieHB]

I burn off the rubber in the nut before I put bead release on the mandrel (obviously, the nut needs to be cool before adding bead release - i just dunk it in water, unscrew the nut, add bead release to the mandrel and screw the nut on again). Then I can screw the mandrel all the way so the tip of the mandrel is flush with the top of the nut.  

[mizgeorge]

I do what Julie does (because she told me to), and it works perfectly

[Margram]

That's genius Julie! I haven't had a problem, but might do this as a belt and braces approach!

[Curlybird]

Thanks all.    I've now got four mandrels drying, nuts all burnt out, dipped afterwards, nuts re-instated, with an extra dollop of bead release on the end.   Just waiting for tomorrow when I should have a few child free hours to play.   (At the moment I've got a friend and her two small boys staying, and it's not safe with them around!!)

Anne

[kerensky]

I do what Julie does too, it also gives you a nice flush fit on the ring top when it is finished.