Frit-Happens !

Lampwork => Lampworking Tip n Tricks => Topic started by: Pat from Canvey on August 21, 2008, 08:24:29 AM

Title: Lentil ends
Post by: Pat from Canvey on August 21, 2008, 08:24:29 AM
Advice please. Should lentil ends be in a C shape or flat. If flat, the ends where they join the mandrel would be very thin.
Title: Re: Lentil ends
Post by: afina on August 21, 2008, 08:29:55 AM
Pat, that depends on the press you are using. The "classic" lentil has the C-shape, but there are newer ones with a flat end.
Title: Re: Lentil ends
Post by: Kaz on August 21, 2008, 08:39:17 AM
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on August 21, 2008, 08:24:29 AM
Advice please. Should lentil ends be in a C shape or flat. If flat, the ends where they join the mandrel would be very thin.
For jewellery making I prefer them to have the C shape but not so pronounced that the bead does not actually resemble a lentil. The indent should be nicely rounded not sharp.
Zooziis have a straight sided lentil which is more like a button shape and the ends on those beads should be straight.
Kaz
Title: Re: Lentil ends
Post by: Shirley on August 21, 2008, 08:56:54 AM
I think the C shape on some presses is really ugly, even if filled with a spacer. I have heard of people who press and then use stringer to tart up the ends.
Title: Re: Lentil ends
Post by: Dragonfire Glass on August 21, 2008, 09:36:49 AM
Can't stand C shaped holes - looks unfinished to me.
I prefer mine to be in line with the bead  :)
Title: Re: Lentil ends
Post by: *rowanberry* on August 21, 2008, 09:53:25 AM
You can press it so the C shape is less pronounced and ends up looking more like a dimple than a C shape, I do it when the glass is a little cooler than I would normally press and press from a round shape and not a rugby ball shape. I have found that slightly over-filling helps too.
Title: Re: Lentil ends
Post by: Dragonfire Glass on August 21, 2008, 11:02:51 AM
yes, I get better ends pressing from a rounder shape  :)
Title: Re: Lentil ends
Post by: Kaz on August 21, 2008, 11:08:57 AM
Me too - and always add glass to the middle before re-pressing rather than the ends as you want to push it outwards from the middle.
Kaz