Using tent pole for BHB's

[Pat from Canvey]

I've mentioned before that I've played around with using tent poles from the local camping store to make BHB's. The original pole was  about 4 ft long and cost 50p. It's diameter is 19mm. I've used about 18inch lengths to make beads but wondered if smaller pieces would work just as well and enable the kiln door to close completely. Here's the set up.

with a small BHB bead made today on a 55mm length of the pole. The piece is held in hot fingers until the bead is made then is released into the kiln so that the hot fingers can be used again. After having difficulty marrying up the start of the bead with the end wrap, I now mark the bead release and follow the mark when I make the first wrap.

[GaysieMay]

That's a great idea Pat, do you think the hot fingers would hold a key too?  I'm trying every which way to hold them at the moment!

[JKC]

Wow, that's big.

[Princess Peggy (Priscilla McGirr)]

Gay, theres a gadget for holding keys here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/40872083/jelveh-designs-key-mandrel

[Magpie]

For keys, I was thinking of binding the ends of two mandrels together really tightly at the end with an elastic band, slipping that through the hole of the key, then binding the bit just after the old with another elastic band. Not tried it yet, if you get there before me let me know how you get on!

[Pat from Canvey]

I'd not use elastic as I think it would burn. Try copper wire instead or nichrome if you have it. Usually available from pottery/ceramic places.

[GaysieMay]

Thanks for that link Pris - I was hoping not to spend too much money on it - so far I've had lots of fun dodging hot keys and bits of molten glass.  I tried stuffing bamboo skewers in and then set them alight!  Have managed to make one or two more luck than good judgement!  Will keep at it!

[Margram]

Someone suggested an arrangement with two washers and a nut and bolt and I keep meaning to have a try...

[flaming beads]

Nothing sensible to add here...but loving the idea of tent poles!!..

[Lush!]

That is so resourceful, Pat - can you rotate the hot fingers easily though?

[Pat from Canvey]

That is so resourceful, Pat - can you rotate the hot fingers easily though?

In a word, YES. You do need a glove to release the bit of pole from the hot fingers when putting it in the kiln.  It's a big plus though that the kiln door shuts wll without a long pole hanging out.

[Ness]

Wow!  That's fab, Pat!