So, following on from the stumpsucker thread I thought I would ditch that and start one where we could discuss any new or unusual tools along with any useful links you may have?
Hopefully the more we can learn about what tools do the more we can broaden our horizons.
I will kick this off with a key mandrel
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40872083/jelveh-designs-key-mandrel
Easy to use, fun to use but if I am honest I use it very little but wouldn't part with it.
And a cabochon mandrel, no link but we have all seen them. I found it cumbersome and heavy to use and find it much easier onthe end of a rod or a mandrel so could have saved money there.
And to think I sold off all my antique keys just before I took up lampworking :( I'm yet to try cabs.
I use a borax dish, left over from my silver days for frit, and a small blue funnel courtesy of Tupperware to pour it back into the mini jars; they work perfectly together. Guess it's not as unusual as a trunk blower or whatever that thing was ;) ;)
I love my key mandrel... but have a shortage of keys to use it with ::)
Cabs... Yeah, cab mandrels were a wasted expenditure, but I hang onto them after all these years just in case I use them. On the end of a rod is better ;)
One that I am yet to try but ohh it's certainly interesting
http://www.lauschalady.com/LLBeadDock.html
Cross holed beads, 3 hole beads etc. The site even has usage instructions.
dichroicimagery used to sell them but for some reason their site isn't working atm.
I'm intrigued by the key mandrel, one of those I kinda have to try it things.
Wow, something new already, that mandrel looks pretty fab but I wonder if it is difficult to use?
The other tool I forgot to say is a graphite reamer, I have two, a favourite with the sadly broken off and a hooge one, these are just brilliant for reopening loops or mouths of vessels. http://www.gpescientific.co.uk/view-sub-categories.php?subcatID=271&catID=92&mastercatID=6 Not any of these reamers exactly but you get the idea
Quote from: ScarletLeonard on February 19, 2011, 07:15:56 PM
One that I am yet to try but ohh it's certainly interesting
http://www.lauschalady.com/LLBeadDock.html
How do you get the cross bar out of the finished bead? Does it pull out or am I being really stupid (again/still)?
The T-section joint unscrews, I believe :)
My fish tweezers - I use them every single day (as in, them fish de-boning tweezers,from a culinary shop)
I can tell this thread is going to be dangerous!
I'm sure I have a whole box of keys somewhere, and I had thought about making them have beads on...
as for unusual tools...I don't have any to add right now. maybe its cause I don't think any of mine are that weird.
I have keys but I'm waiting for when I feel brave enough to make a bead staight on to it
I can see this thread becoming a source of wish list things - like the graphite reamers... just looked at the web page and there's other things there too :) ho hum wonder what the bank balance is looking like ;)
Do you have a pic Sabine? And what makes them better than say........eyebrow tweezers?
I love my stamp tweezers, the paddle shaped ones you can buy for lampworking or picking up stamps but I do have a very pointy pair that I nicked off a mate, I have no idea what they are for but they are sharp as heck and great for plucking out impurities.
Stamp
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRINZ-STAMP-TWEEZERS-CRANKED-SPADE-SOLINGEN-STEEL-/270270273424?pt=UK_Stamps_Philatley&hash=item3eed5d1790
Very pointy
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EYELASH-EXTENSION-STRAIGHT-FINE-POINTED-TWEEZERS-5-5-/250694412589?pt=UK_HealthBeauty_Other_RL&hash=item3a5e8d292d
Here are my fishies:
(http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/public/0RbUSlHiQkKUgne3yxo79S5-aUEMxfAeuIz2erxqhuQyfIqN2t5FtLSAvoUxfipNAxQRpZOagg6f7UZthxRFP7IBkBWe5WLDqhyIwU0b54TK-z9NuIkDXKUbmJ8kj5Rb_5n-AvL1Z0WI6yQs-UhMxSP5QU4)
I think the gentle curve down the sides helps crinkle rose petals 'just so'...but, I have to admit, I'm quicker to go 'want want' about tools than I am about glass...... ::) ::)
But they LOOK cool :D
oh they do!
even if I never used them I'd love to have those on my desk!
As I said, I use them every day ;D ;D ;D More often than my marver, I think. Not as often as my *coughs* cone mandrel, blow mandrel, hot fingers........................the list goes on................................
Blummin Eck just ordered a key mandrel for the huge bunch of old keys I bought in Oz three years ago!
I love the rod holder from etsy.
Also have 2 cone mandrels, thimble mandrel and blowhole mandrel still in their wrappers!
Best tools are free gravity and heat!
Kazx
Yup, gravity is your friend, nearly typed gravy is your friend then
That, too ;D ;D
But gravy is a very good friend too, and it can be useful in lampworking (only if you have a cold studio a hot mug of gravy and dunk bread in it yum)
Weirdness aside I would love to try a cone mandrel. But that's cause since I saw them I have had a design idea in my head.
If I had to think of my favourite tool I would probably say its the tin foil that holds my frit lol second place goes to my brass shapers.
i have a question, where on earth do you get keys from?
I only have one "unusual" tool, it is a laboratory spatula that i "borrowed" from my old job, its got the perfect curves for shaping certain anatomical parts on goddess beads ;)
I get my keys from the key cutters, I just asked them if they had any mortis keys that weren't cut exactly right. They just give them to me, I did get asked what on earth it was I was doing with them (back then it was wire wrapping them) they got very interested.
I've done a few keys lately and have lots more ready to go. I just fused some of them onto a hot glass punty, not all worked but the others were hollow so I rammed them with a bamboo kebab skewer, worked a treat! One of them that proved stubborn to the above I used my reverse action tweezers but they are not so easy to turn.
I'd love the key mandrel, but so far necessity has proved to be the mother of invention in my studio!
I've got a couple of marble cheese cutters from charity shops for 50p. The marble acts just like a large piece of graphite .
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__marble+cheese+slicer_W0QQ_dmdZ2?rvr_id=211871701585&crlp=1472812721_284591_284611&UA=%3F*F%3F&GUID=d9a15df61280a0
I've got a boxful of old keys, might have to dig out the key mandrel again.
Got my keys from Ebay
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=old+keys&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Any pics Gemma? Pat you reminded me that my first marver was the base of an iron ;D
My clever hubby made me a key mandrel - I'm ashamed to say I've not tried it yet :-[. I shall get on the case today!
Quote from: Billie on February 19, 2011, 07:12:50 PM
I love my key mandrel... but have a shortage of keys to use it with ::)
I usually see a fair number of these at most Vide Grenier.......I have a stash of them from way before I started bead making..........I just like the rusty old things ;D
Carol, bad wife, BAD WIFE, after all that hard work he put in for you >:( :D
Im really lusting after a graphite reamer - any idea of prices on those Tan?
Absolutely no idea, both of mine came with other lampwork stuff that I bought from ebay over the years.
Quote from: Tan on February 20, 2011, 12:15:18 PM
Any pics Gemma?
I'll snap one in a bit Tan, i'm currently covered in hair dye ;D
Pat, does the marble work the same as graphite, I was considering getting a graphite tile but this would be cheaper.
i like my little crowbar from mandabeads best.
http://www.mangobeads.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=5&category_id=27&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Thanks Jammie, that's brilliant. I was just about to chip in and tell everyone about this fab tool I used when I had some tuition with Lorna. It wasn't one of Manda's, it was a homemade version made by a friend of Lorna's but it did the same job as Manda's tool. I have been thinking about how I could get dad to make something similar but for £6 I think I'll take the plunge and get one of Manda's.
I Like the look of this but how do you use it ? Is it any different to an ormal kind of pokey shaper thing? :-\
Quote from: jammie on February 20, 2011, 06:12:08 PM
Pat, does the marble work the same as graphite, I was considering getting a graphite tile but this would be cheaper.
Seems to.
Lisa, I use it for patting murrini, shaping ends, as a teeny marver, all sorts really. :)
I use an IKEA spoon for barrels, a cake slice as a marver and I made my own key mandrel from a bent mandrel (I have a few ::) ) and 24pence worth of washers, nuts and bolts from the local hardware shop! It works a treat!!!
Quote from: fionaess on February 20, 2011, 12:32:00 PM
Im really lusting after a graphite reamer - any idea of prices on those Tan?
Off Mandrel have them in a couple of different sizes! ;D http://off-mandrel.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=115_116 (http://off-mandrel.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=115_116)
Thanks Glenn... expensive tho' - I wonder if I could adapt on of their graphite rods..... any suggestions as to how from anyone?
Quote from: jammie on February 20, 2011, 06:12:08 PM
Pat, does the marble work the same as graphite, I was considering getting a graphite tile but this would be cheaper.
i like my little crowbar from mandabeads best.
http://www.mangobeads.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=5&category_id=27&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
It will Jean and lasts for aaaages.
I bought one of those artist's all-graphite pencils and peeled the covering off and it works nicely for various shapings and pokings :)
Quote from: fionaess on February 21, 2011, 04:30:12 PM
Thanks Glenn... expensive tho' - I wonder if I could adapt on of their graphite rods..... any suggestions as to how from anyone?
You could always get a plain rod and grind down the edges. I got one of the small rods a while back and ground the end down to a cone. Took ages though, I used a drill with a grinding stone attached and even that must have taken 20mins to get it right, and that was quite a thin stick.
Quote from: TheJanie on February 21, 2011, 05:37:54 PM
I bought one of those artist's all-graphite pencils and peeled the covering off and it works nicely for various shapings and pokings :)
oooohhhhh... off to Fleabay to have a looksee.... ;D
Quote from: fionaess on February 21, 2011, 05:42:42 PM
Quote from: TheJanie on February 21, 2011, 05:37:54 PM
I bought one of those artist's all-graphite pencils and peeled the covering off and it works nicely for various shapings and pokings :)
oooohhhhh... off to Fleabay to have a looksee.... ;D
IIRC eBay wasn't the cheapest place but I can't remember where I found the one I ended up with! :-\
I got graphite rods from that cheapo bookstore (not online) whose name I can't remember. They have a section for artist tools etc.
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on February 21, 2011, 06:41:16 PM
I got graphite rods from that cheapo bookstore (not online) whose name I can't remember. They have a section for artist tools etc.
The Works?
Quote from: Tan on February 19, 2011, 07:04:27 PM
So, following on from the stumpsucker thread I thought I would ditch that and start one where we could discuss any new or unusual tools along with any useful links you may have?
.
I will kick this off with a key mandrel
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40872083/jelveh-designs-key-mandrel
Easy to use, fun to use but if I am honest I use it very little but wouldn't part with it.
Tan, how easy is it to remove the key, before the bead cracks? I am assuming that the mandrel and fittings are going to be pretty hot, or is it quite easy to just pop the key off and put it in the kiln, leaving the mandrel ready for another key?
K
XX
Quote from: kerensky on February 21, 2011, 09:04:35 PM
Tan, how easy is it to remove the key, before the bead cracks? I am assuming that the mandrel and fittings are going to be pretty hot, or is it quite easy to just pop the key off and put it in the kiln, leaving the mandrel ready for another key?
K
XX
From what I remember from the instructions that came with it, you're supposed to put the key in the kiln, still attached to the mandrel.
Yep, rather limiting :/ Either one key per beadmaking session or buy multiple key mandrels (I couldn't begin to afford that!). That's also why I don't use my cabochon or thimble mandrels much...
Sorry, just seen this, the whole thing goes into the kiln so it is just one per session. I tended to make my usual beads then save the key one until last and really have a play to see what I could do with it, the same with the cab and thimble mandrels.
Quote from: Tan on February 21, 2011, 10:55:49 PM
Sorry, just seen this, the whole thing goes into the kiln so it is just one per session. I tended to make my usual beads then save the key one until last and really have a play to see what I could do with it, the same with the cab and thimble mandrels.
I do the same - it's just when I've made one cab/thimble, I never want to stop and one and am always disappointed that I have to! ::)
Me too, don't you find one idea leads to another but its an epic anti climax!
Yes! Especially when you've made one and it's gone a bit wrong and you think "If I'd just...." and you just don't *want* to wait until tomorrow to try it!
Thanks jammie, i'm convinced and at that price i ordered! :)
Quote from: elburnzo on February 21, 2011, 08:21:18 PM
Quote from: Pat from Canvey on February 21, 2011, 06:41:16 PM
I got graphite rods from that cheapo bookstore (not online) whose name I can't remember. They have a section for artist tools etc.
The Works?
Yes, the Works, having more senior moments these days.
My DH made me my Key mandrell, it is almost the same as the one on etsy.
He is such a love... ::)
Quote from: fionaess on February 20, 2011, 12:32:00 PM
Im really lusting after a graphite reamer - any idea of prices on those Tan?
Sorry to jug in but is this what you are looking for? about £10 me thinks ;D ;D ;D getting one myself, very useful
http://www.t4j.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=317
Mandy x
Quote from: Mandy2009 on March 01, 2011, 12:12:19 PM
Quote from: fionaess on February 20, 2011, 12:32:00 PM
Im really lusting after a graphite reamer - any idea of prices on those Tan?
Sorry to jug in but is this what you are looking for? about £10 me thinks ;D ;D ;D getting one myself, very useful
http://www.t4j.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=317
Mandy x
Thanks Mandy.. being always the cheapskate I looked on Fleabay for the same thing and found this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Graphite-Stirring-Rod-12%1a.-For-Gold-%26-Silver.-1/2%22-Dia_W0QQitemZ350291589976QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=214418008645&rvr_id=214418008645&cguid=1649c99512e0a0aa126493f4fe2f34a8#ht_1352wt_905
yay, excellent, off to shop ;D ;D ;D
xx
edited to add..it's the same company..how strange..oh well saves a few quid ;D
My most unusual tool is a set of cheese knives, only 10 euro's for 4. Can use it for anything.
The only thing in this set I had no use for was the fork, so I've managed to change this (thanks to hubby's toolbox) into a straight short sharpe knife.