Parameters: 1st press, using a HH, can't afford more than one right now.
I've looked at Breadpress, Zoozii and Spheres of Glass; I'd like to keep to the UK or Europe - Customs seem to like writing to me at the moment :(
Which would be easiest for a newbie on a HH? Ss Lentil, fat lentil, slim lentil or a spree? (Not sure I know exactly what a spree is - looks like a fat lentil with straight sides). I like the shapes of these.
I've had a good read through the other threads, just can't make my mind up which to go for. Anything you wouldn't go for, make or shape (can PM me if you'd rather not say publicly).
The first press I ever bought was a beadpress ss lentil, and it is probably the one tool that will have to prised from my cold dead fingers!
So easy to use and a lovely shape (or so I think)
I got it about 2 months after I first started lampworking and have never struggled with using it with the hot head!
HTH
"If you could have just one press, which would you choose?
Easy, a wine press (i'll get my coat) ;D ;D
It has to be the marble press, though you only need one half of it to make round beads.
Another vote for a straight-sided lentil - I bough a 'proper' lentil press a my first, and found it quite frustrating.......but maybe that's just me. ;D I still use my SS lentil 9 times out of 10 when I use a press (actually, I really need to have a press clear out!)
Probably a zoozii ss lentil if you want to make sets or a bead press one for focals
I'm with the last three lovelies ;D SS lentil... but not too big especially with a HH!
Defo Zoozii lentil trio (slim). I love Zoozii presses. ;D The kalera is also good for a "second press"! - and then I got a crunch which I luuuurv! ;D
I got a SS lentil from a German based Ebay supplier http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190444708052
and I wanted the hole to go the other way - and they kindly did this for me.
This is a nice shape and easy to use!
Sorry to but in but can I ask Mand what a "crunch" is?
Jo x
My first one was a Beadpress lentil trio. Not SS, and I like it just fine! Then I got a Zoozii kalera L&L which is also lovely (and I want a mini kalera-style trio too).
My first press was a spree/flat sided lentil. Eventually though, I decided I preferred the regular lentil and have lentil presses in a variety of sizes. Also a crunch press is very versatile. A crunch press is...
http://www.cattwalk.com/crunches.htm
I'm in the same boat still no press to call my own.
got my eye on http://www.beadpress.nl/stempelwinkel/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=358 since it has both lentil and pillow (which I like)
Then a little voice inside me says no get something more unusual as your first so I end up all confused again.
Billie The cattwalk site is dangerous just been looking at their forming trays and crunches and now my wishlist has tripled in length.
I've found it's dangerous looking at any site to do with lampwork :D :D :D We all went for such a cheap craft ::) ;D
My first press was a zoozii lentiol trio which I found great to start on. I find it a little small now but is good to use for earrings. It was pretty easy to learn on.
I then bought a Beadpress ss lentil (about 30-32mm I think). It has taken me a while to get to grips with the amount of glass needed but I love it now.
My next buy/s will be heart and probably a crunch - I need to do some research on both these re: sizes, shapes and supplier though.
Quote from: ScarletLeonard on November 23, 2010, 12:05:06 PM
I'm in the same boat still no press to call my own.
got my eye on http://www.beadpress.nl/stempelwinkel/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=358 since it has both lentil and pillow (which I like)
Scarlett this is the first press I got. I asked Maria louisa to custom make it for me as it wasn't available and I love it! In fact I must get it out as haven't used presses in a while. Can always lend it to you to try put for a couple weeks if you like? Pm me xx
Bought a few now but I keep going back to my deep sided lentil press from Maria Louisa - still my favourite. Just bought a normal lentil press & haven't got fully used to it yet. Also like my little coin shaped triple press. Most difficult to use is the off centre lentil press bought inadvertently!!! They do hang well as focals though.
Shelia
Lentil for me too, I'm a proper lentil gal ;D
Thank you for all that info. Think I'll go for the ss lentil, just got to work out where to get it. I was looking at Maria Louisa's site but the postage looks to be a bit scary if we come under zone 5 - not being in the eurozone clearly doesn't work for us with the postman. Off to check what Martin has.
Does Spheres of Glass not have any, or Martin? Or how about on eBay? Coonvalley ( ???) or someone...
Quote from: princess pink on November 23, 2010, 01:44:11 PM
Scarlett this is the first press I got. I asked Maria louisa to custom make it for me as it wasn't available and I love it! In fact I must get it out as haven't used presses in a while. Can always lend it to you to try put for a couple weeks if you like? Pm me xx
Aww bless you Shahlaa, I may be holding out to see what santa brings me though since there's so much I want to try non press related.
What's the difference between a fat lentil, a spree and a ss lentil?
Anyone know up to what size mandrel a zoozii will take?
I think a spree and SS lentil is the same shape.
A fat lentil still comes down to a thin "point" at the edges, but the sprees have a straight side (surprisingly!!)
My first press was the Zooziis lentil trio, but I found it really hard to get used to, and still have the occasional nightmare trying to get good holes!
My next press was the Zooziis nugget trio and I found that very easy to use and I get really good consistent results. Highly recommended for a "flat square" shape for bracelets.
I now have a SS lentil and think it's easier than the ordinary lentil (although it is also bigger than the Zoozii trio, so that may make it easier too), so I would recommend that, if you want a "flat circle" shape for bracelets or pendants.
I also have 2 heart presses. I never thought I'd want to make hearts, but they are strangely addictive (yes, I have been on a Lush course!!!!)
I have to say I prefer either Beadpress or Bavarian Beads presses because their mandrel slots are a little more forgiving. My first press was a Zoozii, and I always broke the bead release (was using 2.4mm mandrells as I got them with my starter set).
I don't much like 1.6, but it did solve the problem.
Now I use 2mm mandrels 99% of the time, and with both the European makes I rarely break the bead release. They will also take the 2.4s
If I use the zoozii I go back to 1.6.
I am not terribly good at forward planning and often choose which press to use AFTER I have started the bead. Not a recommended process!
I find the ss lentil is easier to get a tidier hole.
I tend to use 2.4 or 3.2 mandrels - but have pretty well decided on the ss lentil, just who from. I can have a larger slot from Spheres of Glass, but Maria Louisa has deeper lentils and larger sizes which I think might be better for a necklace. Too much choice, as always.
Quote from: Redkite on November 23, 2010, 07:08:31 PM
I also have 2 heart presses. I never thought I'd want to make hearts, but they are strangely addictive (yes, I have been on a Lush course!!!!)
My beadpress Heart press is my second favourite press and yes they do seem to be addictive, some days i just cant bear to make round beads and make heart after heart (today was one of these days!) and im thoroughly jealous of your "Lush" course!!
I got a Cattwalk trio lentil (pre-used) and I love it. First up I could only make the little ones, but now it's the biggest size everytime. Have been thinking about what to get next - fancy a heart, or perhaps a bead roller. But as I am financially challenged I'll just sit and dream. But anyhow....the lentil is just fine and not too demanding of the melting powers of my hotheat. ;D
I have a bavarian slim lentil trio and I love it. I was never keen on the ss lentil - but that was more becasue I kept producing things that reminded me of strepsils! My fave press however is my bavarian cubes (which is currently out on loan to Trudi and I'm missing it - so am going to steal my mum's!)