Will a bead roller help?

Enchanted Cobwebs · December 20, 2010, 07:24:35 PM

I cant seem to make 2 beads the same size however can consistently manage to make many with one side just a few mm fatter than the other. This isnt the type of consistency I want as I'd like to make a pile of different colours all the same or sameish size. Will a beadroller help in making them more even and perhaps more regular?
Are there any available to purchase yet in the uk?
Thanks
Helen

sarah t · December 20, 2010, 07:36:12 PM

they will help with consistancy of shape and develope an understanding of how much class each shape takes .......but i think having one end fatter than the other has more to do with technique and practice ...sounds to me like you are not holding the mandrel horizontal ..... you could try putting a mirror behind your work space so you can see how horizontal you are holding the mandrel .....a classic mistake is tipping the bead to check it before it has cooled enough .....a hand rest might help too ....

i think peagasus is suppling them in the new year or christina who is europe has them too

Nick · December 20, 2010, 08:21:47 PM

Hi,

I use a small brass doming block similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SOLID-BRASS-DAPPING-DOMING-BLOCK-TOOL-38MM-SQUARE-/230564340204?pt=UK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL&hash=item35aeb4a1ec#ht_1223wt_1141

Works fine for me

Regards

stuwaudby · December 21, 2010, 12:49:17 PM

I have a bead roller and doming block. They are good for judgeing the amount of glass to get even sized sets of beads but not the solution to forming good beads. If you are having trouble getting even beads then you may well find using a roller very frustrating. Roller is more useful for boro where the viscosity of the glass is higher. When I started beading I was very careful to get an even wrap of glass around the mandrel and gently to end up with an even bead. I was inspired by seeing Martin (from Tuffnels) doing a demo and cooking the bead hard and resulting in a much faster bead. I now do not worry too much about getting even wraps and spend a bit more time balancing the bead in the heat.

I assume by one side fatter than the other you mean perpendicular to the mandrel. There are a couple of techniques you could try:

Mass Balance
If one side of the bead is fatter then you need more of the mass of the glass moving to the other side. Get the bead hot, hold the fat side to the top and allow some of the glass to falow around the mandrel to the thin side. Consider using a marver to tidy up the sides and stop the contact with the mandrel spreading out.) The mandrel should end up closer to the fat side than the thin side. Melt the glass and keep turning, when the thin side melts in then it should thicken up and pull into the mandrel, hopefully the bead will be mroe balanced.

Good Cooking and Gravity
Melt the bead till is is very liquid and keep turning (slower). As the glass flows around the mandrel the glass will tend to even out. Keep turning and slowly withdraw from the heat so the bead doesnt set too fast. This method tends to destroy puckers.

Both these techniques must be done before any pattern or decoration is added.

Practice by deiberately starting with an inbalanced bead and straightening it up, an hour doing this will greatly speed you up going forward.

Hope this helps, happy to show you how if you live anywhere near Staines.

Enchanted Cobwebs · December 21, 2010, 06:29:38 PM

I was thinking the imbalance was because the first blob onto the mandrel always seems to be a greater quantity than I distribute over the remaining wrap. I tried the second , third and fourth wrap starting in different spots trying to even it up. I do get it right sometimes though maybe they are in the heat longer rather than more evenly wrapped. I was kinda hoping the roller would scoop the excesses into the recesses but I'm thinking now that might not be the case reading the comments. I do have a doming block from silversmithing and have been eyeing it up so I think I will have a go at all your tips and possibly the block before I spend any more cash
Thanks again everyone
Helen

Jolene · December 21, 2010, 06:34:07 PM

Helen, it's worth thinking of a bead roller as yet another skill to master, they are great tools and they are great fun, but like all things, the nicest results only come with practice.

Enchanted Cobwebs · December 28, 2010, 11:26:41 AM

Quote from: stuwaudby on December 21, 2010, 12:49:17 PM
There are a couple of techniques you could try:

Mass Balance
If one side of the bead is fatter then you need more of the mass of the glass moving to the other side. Get the bead hot, hold the fat side to the top and allow some of the glass to falow around the mandrel to the thin side. Consider using a marver to tidy up the sides and stop the contact with the mandrel spreading out.) The mandrel should end up closer to the fat side than the thin side. Melt the glass and keep turning, when the thin side melts in then it should thicken up and pull into the mandrel, hopefully the bead will be mroe balanced.
Good Cooking and Gravity
Melt the bead till is is very liquid and keep turning (slower). As the glass flows around the mandrel the glass will tend to even out. Keep turning and slowly withdraw from the heat so the bead doesnt set too fast. This method tends to destroy puckers.
Practice by deiberately starting with an inbalanced bead and straightening it up, an hour doing this will greatly speed you up going forward.
Hope this helps, happy to show you how if you live anywhere near Staines.

Thank you so much, played around using your suggestions as although I was using a marver I was trying to make it even all over but of course it makes sense that the fat side should get squashed more. Hadnt even though of that! I have dug out my doming block and its helped with predicting the sizes so I'm getting them even at last. What doesnt help is I have a wee problem with my left arm in that I as dont have enough control to get a flowing movement so when the glass is wound ,move the mandrel to my right hand and use both hands to rotate in the flame, need both hannd sure this type oof action will help me ds as the right one is a bit unsteady too! I believe now that my view of the bead from this position is probably not helping and so I'm playing around using a mirror. Thank you also for the very generous offer to show me, I live in Leek which is a bit far otherwise I'd be on your doorstep!e

stuwaudby · January 01, 2011, 11:12:14 PM

<Smug Grin>

Glad it helped.

p.s. I also use two hands once the glass is on, much smoother.

Ilona · January 01, 2011, 11:49:38 PM

My sister's MIL lives in Leek and was over today, and I could have popped over too, I will PM you the next time they will be over that way and if you want any help with anything or just a natter about glass or want to borrow a press I am happy to help out.

Enchanted Cobwebs · January 02, 2011, 09:54:49 AM

Quote from: Ilona on January 01, 2011, 11:49:38 PM
My sister's MIL lives in Leek and was over today, and I could have popped over too, I will PM you the next time they will be over that way and if you want any help with anything or just a natter about glass or want to borrow a press I am happy to help out.

Thank you so very much thats so very kind and I'd absolutely love that! I do silversmithing as well and my hubby fuses glass so if we can share anything we know we would be delighted
Hx