Frit-Happens !

Technical Forum => Studio/workspace/setup/equipment => Tools and Presses => Topic started by: Katerina on August 02, 2008, 10:25:01 AM

Title: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Katerina on August 02, 2008, 10:25:01 AM
I bought lentil press and leaf mashers from Tuffnell and last  2 days been playing with glass...
SO here is my things

(http://keep4u.ru/imgs/s/080802/1a/1a2fc39b2bad822083.jpg) (http://keep4u.ru/full/080802/1a2fc39b2bad822083/jpg)

(http://keep4u.ru/imgs/s/080802/16/1630b4bb5fc9a682c4.jpg) (http://keep4u.ru/full/080802/1630b4bb5fc9a682c4/jpg)

I try to flame polish it but you still can see chill marks...If I do it a bit longer leaf loosing its shape.

here is my lentil stamp - can't make ends round....its always in or out.....

(http://keep4u.ru/imgs/s/080802/b3/b3b88795e524d58f25.jpg) (http://keep4u.ru/full/080802/b3b88795e524d58f25/jpg)

Any advice?
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Isabelle on August 02, 2008, 10:59:17 AM
 Love the leaves, Kat! You will get the hang of the lentils soon - I always roll it in the bottom of the press so it's an oval shape, then heat it again and then press it, but they look about right to me already. They are supposed to have the little dimple in the ends.
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Katerina on August 02, 2008, 11:01:27 AM
Isabelle ! Thank you. Good advice. I will try it
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: turnedlight on August 02, 2008, 11:03:22 AM
I love the green leaves, it looks like the mashers were a good purchase - I nearly bought some from Martin at a bead fair, but I couldn't decide! :)
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Katerina on August 02, 2008, 11:10:36 AM
Quote from: turnedlight on August 02, 2008, 11:03:22 AM
I love the green leaves, it looks like the mashers were a good purchase - I nearly bought some from Martin at a bead fair, but I couldn't decide! :)

I try to make leaves with other tutorial. Some people sad that you can do without mashers, but for me it is quickest and easiest way. But I am only 3 months old lampwoker lol
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: *rowanberry* on August 02, 2008, 11:41:19 AM
They are gorgeous! I love those leaves!
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Katerina on August 02, 2008, 02:39:48 PM
Quote from: *rowanberry* on August 02, 2008, 11:41:19 AM
They are gorgeous! I love those leaves!
Thank you but I read that chill mark are not professional...
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Trudi on August 02, 2008, 04:15:52 PM
Ohh those leaves are cool!!!

I've never seen those mashers used before - are they off-mandrel??

Not sure if this would work with thse mashers, but with my bead press I had the same problem, and I came across this top tip on here (somewhere) once I had the press just right - heat up again an-re-press 2 or 3 times - I think that it must keep the press hot and stops the chill marks!
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on August 02, 2008, 06:35:34 PM
I love chill marks and use them on my lollipops they are popular beadies so it aint all bad ;)

Your leaves are really lovely and your lentils are coming along

Before you make your bead lay your mandrel across the press and using a felt tip pen make a mark just inside each end of the cavity that will give you the initial length that you need. when you lay your wraps of glass on top of this initial length count them so when you have the right mix that will be the formula for future presses.

The dotted line is your mandrel the () are the left and right side of your lentil press cavity and the numbers are the wraps needed to fill it.

                1
              1 2 3
-------(1-2-3-4-5)----------------------------<----mandrel
              1 2 3
                 1

Does that make sense or have i confused you more?
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Katerina on August 02, 2008, 06:36:33 PM
Thank you

I try both way off mandrel and on mandrel. This green one is off other one on

Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Katerina on August 02, 2008, 06:38:04 PM
wow great!!!! thanks :)
UPDATE
I love you lollipops

Quote from: tanok on August 02, 2008, 06:35:34 PM
I love chill marks and use them on my lollipops they are popular beadies so it aint all bad ;)

Your leaves are really lovely and your lentils are coming along

Before you make your bead lay your mandrel across the press and using a felt tip pen make a mark just inside each end of the cavity that will give you the initial length that you need. when you lay your wraps of glass on top of this initial length count them so when you have the right mix that will be the formula for future presses.

The dotted line is your mandrel the () are the left and right side of your lentil press cavity and the numbers are the wraps needed to fill it.



                1
              1 2 3
-------(1-2-3-4-5)----------------------------<----mandrel
              1 2 3
                 1

Does that make sense or have i confused you more?
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Trudi on August 02, 2008, 11:32:39 PM
Quote from: tanok on August 02, 2008, 06:35:34 PM
I love chill marks and use them on my lollipops they are popular beadies so it aint all bad ;)

Your leaves are really lovely and your lentils are coming along

Before you make your bead lay your mandrel across the press and using a felt tip pen make a mark just inside each end of the cavity that will give you the initial length that you need. when you lay your wraps of glass on top of this initial length count them so when you have the right mix that will be the formula for future presses.

The dotted line is your mandrel the () are the left and right side of your lentil press cavity and the numbers are the wraps needed to fill it.

                1
              1 2 3
-------(1-2-3-4-5)----------------------------<----mandrel
              1 2 3
                 1

Does that make sense or have i confused you more?


What a simple, but brilliant idae!!! Top one Tan!
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: grandmabead on August 03, 2008, 08:49:18 AM
Quote from: tanok on August 02, 2008, 06:35:34 PM
I love chill marks and use them on my lollipops they are popular beadies so it aint all bad ;)

Your leaves are really lovely and your lentils are coming along

Before you make your bead lay your mandrel across the press and using a felt tip pen make a mark just inside each end of the cavity that will give you the initial length that you need. when you lay your wraps of glass on top of this initial length count them so when you have the right mix that will be the formula for future presses.

The dotted line is your mandrel the () are the left and right side of your lentil press cavity and the numbers are the wraps needed to fill it.

                1
              1 2 3
-------(1-2-3-4-5)----------------------------<----mandrel
              1 2 3
                 1

Does that make sense or have i confused you more?


I will have this tatooed on my forehead tanok, thanks for these instructions they will really help this old newbie.  ;)
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Trudi on August 03, 2008, 10:25:06 AM
You may have to sit in front of a mirror - so write it on back to front!
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Shirley on August 03, 2008, 10:28:57 AM
Quote from: shine-on2 on August 03, 2008, 10:25:06 AM
You may have to sit in front of a mirror - so write it on back to front!

This has got to win the prize for most bizarre post so far today! ;D :D
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Katerina on August 03, 2008, 10:48:46 AM
:):):) Great idea !
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: grandmabead on August 03, 2008, 11:50:08 AM
Quote from: shine-on2 on August 03, 2008, 10:25:06 AM
You may have to sit in front of a mirror - so write it on back to front!

Good thinking shine-on. I'm off to the tattoo parlour now  ;D
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Trudi on August 03, 2008, 05:32:55 PM
Quote from: grandmabead on August 03, 2008, 11:50:08 AM
Quote from: shine-on2 on August 03, 2008, 10:25:06 AM
You may have to sit in front of a mirror - so write it on back to front!

Good thinking shine-on. I'm off to the tattoo parlour now  ;D


Ah  ha ... not so bizzare - there is a fellow nutter who agrees with me!
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: Pat from Canvey on August 04, 2008, 08:42:25 AM
I have a mirror in front of my torch so that I can see the base when I am making a blown vessel.
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: grandmabead on August 04, 2008, 07:43:03 PM
I bought the zoozii TabTile Duo Press and i have been looking at it for a few days and noticed that it is really deep. I will have to use a lot of glass to fill the shape..........has anyone used this press and have any tips for me please?
Thankee  ;)
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on August 04, 2008, 07:55:08 PM
The tab will be easier than the tile granny, glass when you squish it wants to spread into a round shape naturally, hence round presses will always be a bit simpler because its just guiding the glass in doing what it wants to do

Tiles are the same principle but may likely take more than one press, either press and using one of beadysams proddy tools push the glass into the corners or press, add glass to the corners and press again ;D
Title: Re: learning to use press and mashers
Post by: grandmabead on August 04, 2008, 08:40:46 PM
Quote from: tanok on August 04, 2008, 07:55:08 PM
The tab will be easier than the tile granny, glass when you squish it wants to spread into a round shape naturally, hence round presses will always be a bit simpler because its just guiding the glass in doing what it wants to do

Tiles are the same principle but may likely take more than one press, either press and using one of beadysams proddy tools push the glass into the corners or press, add glass to the corners and press again ;D

Thanks tanok. I guess i will just have to try it out and see what happens............and i will check out beadysams tools, thanks for the tip. You can never have too many tools can you?
;)