And not in a good way >:( It's driving me nuts. I've just started using a 'new' tub of bead release. I say new, but it was bought from somebody on the forum a little while ago, and was already opened, although still quite full. Now that I'm using it, I find it cracks while I'm working on even quite simple beads. We're not talking pressed beads here, just simple layers. I've made sure it's dried thoroughly before use, and I've tried flame drying. I have heated the bead release thoroughly before application of glass. I have snarled at it, sobbed a bit, and growled expletives. So, wassup? Should I just dump it and start on another bottle? Or keep going and hope things get better.
I had some that did that. I watered it down a bit and it's fine now. Might be worth giving it a go?
Big hole beads or just normal ones? I am finding my current batch of fusion is almost guaranteed to break with BHBs - especially with a roller. Have you roughed up your mandrels recently? Also, it could be the damp atmosphere and the release not actually drying thoroughly ??? I always put my mandrels on top of the kiln to dry.
Kazx
I read that in the same vein as 'cracking toast Grommit'; obviously not! I bought a big bottle of bead release from Tuffnells at FO, mine's doing the same thing. I tried watering some down, didn't work for me so now leaving the top off to see if it needs to be thicker. It was a big bottle so £25ish, not to be lost if I can help it.
I'm leaving my beads to air dry, but it's been over the summer so not a damp problem. Even double dipped on some of Manda's 5mm mandrels I've n ot been able to get the beads off, have had to resort to heating them in a hot kiln and plunging in water to recover the mandrel.
Normal sized beads Kaz. And I've tried drying on the kiln, on the table, outside in the sun, every which way but flipping loose. I don't think it needs watered down, it seems the right consistency, not too thick at all. I wonder if perhaps it's been open for a long time, but I can't see that should matter. :-\ But I've lost so many beads to this, that it's proving to be expensive.
What type is it Sue?
Have you tried giving your mandrels a really good clean and re-sanding them a bit?
It doesn't sound right at all Sue. My bead release is quite old had it a good while, I just add more water when it's gone thick give it a good shake. mine is Fusion , it's ok. Sounds like a duff lot you've got :'(
Come by here and pick some bead release up tomorrow Sue x
It's a large tub of Fusion George. And yes, I put the mandrels in the dishwasher (um, overkill perhaps?!) and then gave them a good sanding. No joy. Perhaps I should use a heavier sandpaper? The one I have isn't particularly thick.
And I may well do that Jo, it's driving me potty!
mine often cracks especially if pressing ...but i do play rough ;)
not much to add that others have not said ...give mandrels a good scrub,give bead release a really good mix (get right down to the bottom if you can... fusion has a tendency to separate but look smooth on the top ) might be worth after a really good mix to decant some from the pot into a smaller one and then add the water
i have found fusion likes to be pretty hot along the whole dip before you add the glass ...could be if its a brand new to you might be trail and error and i have never had much luck with flame drying it .....
and have a paint brush handy to brush the lose bits out of the press ;)
Mine's Fusion too, and I've also given them a good clean (though not in the dishwasher ???) and roughed them up a bit.
Funny how it won't stay on the mandrels but when I managed to knock a tub of wet mandrels over me it stuck like glue to my ipod Sennheiser headphones :'(
Solved by George - I tried one of my unclean mandrels ie ones that didn't go through the dishwasher, as I've only done half of them so far. I had the others put to the side until they were cleaned. I've just dipped and flame dried two of those, and used them with no problem, and used both a press and a bead roller. So, dish washer perhaps not the best idea in the world ... ::)
I just soak mine in water for a while and wipe them clean.lol
It could be the rinse cycle on the dishwasher that was the problem Sue - if you use rinse aid or an all in one tab, it includes a drying agent that leaves a coating on everything. That might well be enough to stop the bead release attaching properly. Try burning one of them off in the flame to remove anything that might still be on there before dipping?
That sounds as if it could be what's happening - I'll put them all through the flame, wash them in the sink and start again. See what happens when you try being lazy? ;D Thanks George x
I have to be honest and say I rarely, if ever, clean my mandrels and usually have no problems at all. I don't soak the beads off, just very naughty and pull them off the mandrel by hand or with pliers for sticky ones. I think there was a batch of fusion not long ago that was a bit iffy though - so maybe a combination of factors. I am just about to try some Smooth and Tuff that I bought in Oz.
Kazx
Quote from: Kaz on October 21, 2011, 08:04:11 AM
I have to be honest and say I rarely, if ever, clean my mandrels and usually have no problems at all.
I'm afraid I'm the same. I do steep the mandrels but give them a cursory rinse to get the old bead release off then let them dry and dip again.
I did have period where the bead release was cracking more easily but that seemed to coincide with the dipped mandrels sitting in a hot, dry environment for ages so I redipped them and the problem went away.
Hope you get yours sorted Sue.
Perhaps I just have a bit of a duff batch. I've not had a problem with any of the other pots I've bought.
I'll do some experimentation today, and see if it is definitely the dishwashed mandrels or the bead release .... fingers crossed, this stuff is just too expensive to throw away.
I bought some Fosterfire Smooth and Tough as it's recommended for presses and Boro and it's a Godsend for me.
I still keep my Fusion for beads that dont go through a press but when that goes (prolly not for ages yet) I will try the Regular Fosterfire (there are 3 different types: Regular; Heavy Duty; Smooth and Tough)
Linda x
I have to confess that I have terrible problems with cracking bead release, often I think because the bead release might be a bit thick and because I often forget to dip the night before and end up having to dry the bead release in the flame and I don't think mine is vey fond of this! I think a realy good reclean of the mandrels and another scrub with sandpaper might be on the cards. Just off to play and will see how it goes today as I opened a new pot yesterday and dipped everything last night and left by the woodburner to dry out properly. :)
I really like fosterfire, like it better than fusion,dont clean my mandrels, heat all the way down the mandrel coating and it is usually ok, but sometimes just doesnt work and cracks, the damp definitely makes a difference to them drying, and too dry and it just cracks too.
Actually my latest tub of fusion from tuffnells is proving a little more cracky than the first pot too - it's a pain in the butt! Will set aside some time to clean and re sand the mandrels tho and see if that helps
I've got some dodgy Fusion recently too ??? I've always found it to be by far the best bead release, but the latest pot seems thinner than usual and even when I'm triple dipping my mandrels I've had a lot of beads stuck firm. I've killed most of my 1.6mm mandrels because of it :(
Mine's fine now that I've cleaned and sanded away the dishwasher coating ::) A valuable lesson for any of you that might be as indolent as I :D I have my Fosterfire but keep that for press work.