What tools do I need to begin making soft glass marbles?

[Kimster]

Right, I've ordered the recommended book, but it wont be here for 10 days or so... What would all you marble makers recommend starting off with regarding tools? I have a round graphite beadroller - will that do to start with? What about them things you hold them with?! (like curved wire tongs?) Any help & info re websites etc very gratefully received! Would like to order anything I might need before Christmas (my prezzie from my lovely man  ) Thanks all

[Hamilton Taylor]

If your beadroller has a mandrel groove, you will be better off with this or this.
Soft glass will catch in the mandrel groove, if the glass is too warm.
When I started, I used tongs and hotfingers, but now I don't use any more than the marble mould and tools from beadmaking.

There other, better, moulds available, but they're also more expensive - the infinite rim mould being the rolls royce of the lot.

Sean

[Lotti]

If your beadroller has a mandrel groove, you will be better off with this or this.
Soft glass will catch in the mandrel groove, if the glass is too warm.
When I started, I used tongs and hotfingers, but now I don't use any more than the marble mould and tools from beadmaking.

There other, better, moulds available, but they're also more expensive - the infinite rim mould being the rolls royce of the lot.

Sean

I love my infinite rim   but yes a bit on the 'lots of pennies' side of things!  I have a couple of marble molds that I used to use (would say that I might sell them but they are useful for holding frit and using for other things!).  I have a pair of sponge forceps that I sometimes use but tricky with soft glass and I haven't been very succesful with them (with 104).  Hotfingers might be a way forward.  Have fun!

[GaysieMay]

I've only made marbles at home once, one fell of the punty as I was working it thankfully I had a pair of cheap metal salad hinged spoon things (pasta grabbers would work as well) grabbed the bead up as it rolled across the floor - handy for emergencies! 

[Lotti]

I've only made marbles at home once, one fell of the punty as I was working it thankfully I had a pair of cheap metal salad hinged spoon things (pasta grabbers would work as well) grabbed the bead up as it rolled across the floor - handy for emergencies! 

LOL, I have this problem now and again and think I might put a rim round the worktop to catch them   I generally have the marble mold held just below the marble now which hopefully would catch it!

[SilverGems89]

Don't bother with hot fingers, I bought some and they are a PITA! And you would probably have problems with shocking soft glass marbles by the time you got them locked on! Drew has a tut on making some marble grabbers that look better, I still need to make some!
A marble mould is a necessity, I bought the one with quite a few cavities but no handle, purelt because it has the smallest sized cavities I could find, and you use a cavity smaller than the actual size of the marble to shape 

[Pat from Canvey]

The large brass doming block from Martin is sometimes useful.

[Hamilton Taylor]

Doming block is good, forgot about that - rub a bit of beeswax around the edges of the holes for slip.
Hot fingers are really designed for vessels and blown objects - not so good for mibs.
A rim around the bench is a great idea - chasing mibs around the studio is no fun.
If you follow drew fritts and use s/steel punties, you shouldnt have many runaways anyway.

[Kimster]

Thanks for all that! I have a doming block so will give it a go...
What are mibs?!

[Hamilton Taylor]

mibs=marbles.
less letters, less syllables, less general keyboard wear. No idea where it originated though.

[Steampunkglass]

I've heard all sorts of explanation's about Mib's - 'marbles in battle' is another
I have a pair of these, and they are priceless for getting marbles into the kiln after the final shaping, much better that the usual hot fingers. It would be wonderful if some kindly UK glass tools suppliers  started stocking these, especially in a range of sizes, they don't grip so well for large marbles over 40mm (and don't hold small ones at all!) so I'd love to see more sizes on offer

[Kaz]

I've only made one marble but used a cold join punty, broke the marble off into the marble mold, pointed the torch down on the scar and polished it out in the mold, then dumped the marble out of the mold into the kiln on the kiln shelf!
Kazx

[Pat from Canvey]

I've found that this type of kitchen tongs, ( without silicon heads ) are good fpr transferring marbles to the kiln or picking them up from the floor.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Class-Deluxe-Stainless-Steel/dp/B0001IWZIQ/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1386835133&sr=1-9

[Hamilton Taylor]

I do just what Kaz does - no danger of marking the final piece

[Lotti]

I do just what Kaz does - no danger of marking the final piece

What I do now I have my nice mold and have adjusted the torch so the mib (see getting the lingo ) doesn't go for a roll about!  Works a treat