perfect bead ends

[mel]

I like to make free formed (i.e. not pressed) long beads. The trouble I have is with the ends, it takes me ages to get them square so they can stand up on end. I'm sure there is some knack that I'm missing. I start by making 2 spaced out small doughnuts which are centered and puckered, then fill the middle, but invariably one end will always go wonky when I shape the bead to taper the ends to get a better shape. I havent mastered a quick way of squaring things up so always fiddle around for ages, reheating and reshaping..... so is there an easier way to square my ends up....??

[Redhotsal]

The two do-nut trick is a brilliant one. Di East told me how to do it originally. BUT......it'll only work if you absolutely don't reheat those two beads. i.e. - heat them to prevent them from cracking but never heat them so that the puckers disappear and the do-nuts reshape themselves. Sounds ever so easy not to reheat them but I reckon this is harder to REMEMBER to do than fine stringer control!

ps - since I'm pretty rubbish at the two do-nut technique I usually end up "nudging" the ends of my beads with the marver. Only do this when the bead has solidified sufficiently to make a "tinging" sound when you nudge!

[lampworklover]

...make sure you fill in with enough glass in between the two donuts too, or the bead will pull glass back from the ends; but as Sal says, don't melt them once they're right.

[beadysam]

I like to make free formed (i.e. not pressed) long beads. The trouble I have is with the ends, it takes me ages to get them square so they can stand up on end. I'm sure there is some knack that I'm missing. I start by making 2 spaced out small doughnuts which are centered and puckered, then fill the middle, but invariably one end will always go wonky when I shape the bead to taper the ends to get a better shape. I havent mastered a quick way of squaring things up so always fiddle around for ages, reheating and reshaping..... so is there an easier way to square my ends up....??

Do you mean the `bone' shaped gravity type beads?  If so, I get one end on centre and the glass nice and moveable then sharply tap the end of the mandrel (soft end down) on the table about 2-3 times and then quickly blow to set it.  Repeat with the other end, then sort out and slight bumps in the middle.  I always have neat puckers and they always stand up too.   I find the less I use tools, the better the shape - I'm too heavy handed.

[plasticdux]

Hi,

Same as above, I prefer to use gravity and patience, using tools screws things a little for me due to my super human strength and sausage like digits!!!

I reccomend that you persevere and find the best way to suit you!!

Good luck!!

[Yellow friend]

I find the little brass tools that Martin sells quite useful for encouraging the glass to move up near the ends.  I also use the gravity method and marvering gently.

[mel]

Thanks every one. I think you've picked up on my fault lampworklover, I've been leaving a wee neck behind the end beads, so that when I shape this area, some of the end bead glass get drawn in to fill the gap. Must be more disciplined and keep those end beads rock hard as I'm always wanting to angle them down a bit. Thanks every one.

[Margram]

Sal's DVD shows how to do this nicely