I have a kalera long and lean press, I really like it but so far haven't filled the whole length, I t seems to take a lot one way and not a lot of glass the other, which of course is why it will be called the long n lean. Anyway, just wondered if anyone fancied showing me a pic of a fully done long n lean... when I am making them shorter than the length I still seem to be making them to thick as the top half of the press rocks on the bead. Any pics or ideas or tips on using this press would be appreciated. :)
I had this press and I just couldn't get to grips with it at all :-\ Had the same problems as you, but I know some people swear by it, hopefully they'll be along soon with some tips :)
I have the mini version. It's really hard to get to grips with the hothead, keeping a long tube warm. Not really had a play since I've upgraded. You basically need to make a cylinder bead. So as thin a wrap as you can, spiral up the mandrel (neatish ends). Then heat it all, roll on marver to smooth (and/or to make it longer and thinner), heat, press, add more glass to corners, heat, press, if still too small add more glass, press, decorate, press etc. But the trick for the mini one is a very narrow cylinder bead to start with. Here's some I made earlier, on the hothead. The corners aren't totally square.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4675796731_765c36f910_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/4675796731/)
Kaz's new murrini (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/4675796731/) by HelenPetersBeads (http://www.flickr.com/people/helenpetersbeads/), on Flickr
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4329408533_7de07b0890_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/4329408533/)
Flaming florals (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/4329408533/) by HelenPetersBeads (http://www.flickr.com/people/helenpetersbeads/), on Flickr
Hope that helps.
Thanks Kate, really interesting that the probs you had were the same, makes me feel a whole heap better ;D
They are lovely beads Helen. So that's how they should look. great that helps a lot. It is a nice shape isnt it, I got one nearly long enough but not quite. It is getting it long enough and thin enough thats more difficult to do. The one I did didn't get too cold or crack but it is quite a bit of work making sure it all stays hot.
The thing I love about this press is that it is so versatile. You don't have to fill it, so you can have long and lean, short and fat and everything in between! :D ;)
Quote from: Amber on August 25, 2010, 10:35:26 AM
The thing I love about this press is that it is so versatile. You don't have to fill it, so you can have long and lean, short and fat and everything in between! :D ;)
indeed!
Here's one I did about a year ago, I had my Dad make a thin plate of brass to make the kalera press cavity slightly thicker, as I was finding that the beads were cracking easily before.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3589149567_35fedbc0c2_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/53211004@N00/3589149567/)
magic tree (http://www.flickr.com/photos/53211004@N00/3589149567/) by turnedlight (http://www.flickr.com/people/53211004@N00/), on Flickr
I like the press but I do find it takes time to fill!
I love that bead! :)
Hi,
As with any press that you are using for the first time i reccomend the old Plasticine on a stick routine!!
Pack the press with a plasticine like substance (or leftover dough from your weekly baking session), once your happy with the size and shape stick it on a mandrel and squish into a barrell shape, this way when you use the press you have a reference to how much glass and the length of application of glass needed along the mandrel.
It works for me.
Good luck.
Top tip mister ;)
;D ;D
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5020212851_50592d382b_m.jpg) (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5020212851_50592d382b_m.jpg)
Pic shows a bead that filled the cavity in the press. Normally I make a tube roughly to the size i think, squish it and then if more glass is needed add it along the middle of the bead (over the top of where the mandrel is running) then melt, heat and squish again. I do really like it when people make beads where they use the press without filling it, much more organic. I have a bit of an ocd thing with corners though so never like mine when I do that but I have a few of other peoples that are lovely
I like to round off the corners
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5007816265_1d18f1d566.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/5007816265/)
IMG_9109 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/5007816265/) by Kaz ~ CheekyCherubDesigns (http://www.flickr.com/people/cheekycherubdesigns/), on Flickr
Kazx
I like the rounded corners too. ;D
Aw lovely beads there. I sold my press cos I wanted a beadroller more but I do like the shape of these beads :) Love that one with the murrini Kaz. :)