What's this called and where can you buy one?

noora · June 15, 2011, 06:44:55 PM

In this youtube video the beadmaker uses a graphite paddle with a hole where you can put the end of the mandrel to keep it steady while you heat a bead:

http://youtu.be/ts_00spkPro

You can get a glimpse of it at 0:37 and see it "in action" at 2:25. Does this feature (the hole for the mandrel) have a name, and can you buy paddles like that somewhere?

Blue Box Studio · June 15, 2011, 06:46:46 PM

I've not seen that before. I wonder if it's their own invention, they ground a hole in the end of their paddle?

awrylemming · June 15, 2011, 06:47:51 PM

I have seen that before - but I can't remember where .... perhaps Bev could knock one up for us???

polly put the kettle on · June 15, 2011, 06:54:47 PM

Mine has that hole and it came from Martin

Sally x

awrylemming · June 15, 2011, 06:57:34 PM

I found this one http://artistryinglass.on.ca/store/catalog/GRAPHITE_PADDLE__21_2_x_11_2_x_3_8_with_MANDREL_HOLDING_CORN_p_12150.html
Want one. I was looking at this the other day.

noora · June 15, 2011, 07:50:40 PM

Thanks, Sue

They seem to be calling it simply a "mandrel holding corner", so now I know what to look for (and where to buy if I don't find it anywhere closer). I didn't see any similar att Tuffnell's, maybe they don't have it right now or maybe it's an undocumented feature

My hands are still quite unsteady so this might be an useful feature. At the end of the video they say it took about an hour to make the bead (the video has been edited so that we don't have to watch them melt in layers and layers of dots) and for a task like that I would definitely want some extra support...

mizgeorge · June 15, 2011, 08:05:49 PM

I noticed at the weekend that Krysia does a clever trick with an angled pick to keep the mandrel steady - I'd never seen that before and was rather impressed!

MadelineBunyan · June 15, 2011, 08:07:55 PM

graphite is very easy to put holes in, modify one if you've got one!

I've seen it before but I don't have one

I've seen something called a smircich (sp?) tailstock holder, don't know if it was graphite or what though. think it may have been metal actually, so just a holder rather than a feature on a marver.

you can also rest the mandrel end on your torch top marver if you have one. I do this if I'm poking deep bubbles. not for while you're heating though.

Pat from Canvey · June 15, 2011, 09:33:49 PM

I believe it's a Jim Smircich thingy see http://www.crloo.com/Products/Hand_Tools___Supplies/Hand_Tools_4/hand_tools_4.html and cursor down a bit. If I'm making a larger heavier bead I use anything to hand to support the end of the mandrel when rotating it in the flame. It's possible to use your bead reamer to make a small support hole in the side of a graphite marver.

mel · July 22, 2011, 03:29:24 PM

I use something similar literally all of the time, I just sanded off a corner of my regular paddle, then drilled a shallowish (about 2mm) pilot hole onto the angle and it works fine. I've been using it for about 4 years and it hasnt worn a deep hole or anything, still perfectly functional. The only thing you need to be careful of though is to pinch the end of the bead release off the mandrel while it's still wet otherwise the friction can crack the bead release and you'll get powder onto your bead. I wobble all over the place without mine....oooh missus.......tee heee......

Diane · July 22, 2011, 03:44:53 PM

I did this too Mel and it's fine - don't use it all the time but very useful when you're in shakey mode! A Bit messy to do - its a job for outside when it's not windy

Diane x

Krysia@No98 · July 22, 2011, 04:00:51 PM

Quote from: noora on June 15, 2011, 07:50:40 PM

My hands are still quite unsteady so this might be an useful feature. At the end of the video they say it took about an hour to make the bead (the video has been edited so that we don't have to watch them melt in layers and layers of dots) and for a task like that I would definitely want some extra support...

I'm quite a shaker too, especially if I haven't eaten.

Quote from: mizgeorge on June 15, 2011, 08:05:49 PM
I noticed at the weekend that Krysia does a clever trick with an angled pick to keep the mandrel steady - I'd never seen that before and was rather impressed!

Oooo!!

I got mine in my starter pack from Tuffnells, he calls it a rake.

This is me - http://www.flickr.com/photos/lushlampwork/5828014654/in/set-72157626825473971 (Soz not linked to flickr before) I am using the rake on the other side to what I usually do because that is a button mandrel. For me it really does help