Disc roller

[BeeBeads]

I treated myself to one of Bev's disc rollers at FO.  That was the easy bit. 
Can anyone give me any tips on using it please?  I've never used one before so it's all new to me!
Do I start with a little donut and then build up the sides to fit the cavity?
Any help gratefully accepted 

[helbels]

Yes, start with a small donut, then wind a disc of glass round that.  Put into the cavity and press down, rotate a quarter turn, press down again, and repeat all the way round.

Try not to press down and "roll" all the way around until you're pretty sure you have the right amount of glass, this is when the bead release tends to break!

[BeeBeads]

Thanks Helen, that's really helpful, exactly the kind of advice I was hoping for.

I'm off out to have a go now ... press and turn, press and turn ... 

[kathsd]

there's a good tut on the CG beadrollers site, however I've still not mastered mine yet....GRrrrr! Good luck
kathsd

[BeeBeads]

Well, I've been in the shed having a go and have had mixed results so far.  I'm being really careful to build up the glass disc around the footprint so as not to add too much glass at once.  I'm pressing and turning, then adding glass to the narrow top edge only and pressing again.  But my problem seems to be that I am getting completely flat sides to the disc.  I was wanting them to look more, well .. disc shaped    A bit saucer shaped, I suppose, with the sides sort of domed out slightly if you know what I mean.
But I haven't worked out where I'm going wrong.  One or two of my attempts have been nicely shaped but I can't do it consistently which is a bit annoying!  More PPP I guess   

[The Tartan Trout]

It will come with practice. Also if you have a little paint brush handy to get rid of any specks of bead release. Sometimes blowing works just as well though

[BeeBeads]

Ah yes ... thanks Sarah, I do keep a little paint brush on my desk and it's extremely handy for a quick tidy up of broken bead release, shocky bits of glass and other debris that gathers there!  Although I must admit sometimes I just have a big blow to clear a space.

It's funny that, when I first started making beads, I used to get so disappointed when I couldn't get something right and would move on to something that I knew I could do instead.  Now though, I am more determined and, probably through being a member here, realise that it takes PPP to master most things.  So, I'm going to stick at the discs for a while and I'm sure it will get better.  I'm enjoying the process, that's the main thing I suppose!     

Thanks Kath, I'll have a look at the CG tutorial too. 

[aercraft]

Ooo - thanks for asking the question Bee - I've not got mine out yet and was wondering about technique...

[BeeBeads]

   Be afraid Anne, be very afraid ... only joking!   
Good luck ... if you crack it do let me know your secret!

[Madam Steph]

I think one of the tricks is, as in making hollows or implosions, to make the smallest of footprints and add to it very slowly.
I often pull a 2-3mm stringer to do this. It doesn't 'blob' on as fast as from a usual rod.
Due to the small footprint and the volume of glass laid upon it, it's nature woud be to break the bead release more easily, so yes, press gently as opposed to roll at first.
I made these discs with some rounds when I bought my plain mixer from Bev last year:




Linda x

[ScarletLeonard]

I have more joy when I use the side rather than the bottom of the cavity as my 'rolling point'
you may also find as you build up the disc if you are using a rod that you have to use your marver or mashers to keep the size of it it check before taking it to the roller.

[The Tartan Trout]

I'm with Scarlet on using the side. I had my 11 year old using the round bead roller today for a school project. She did really well. Although I do think the discs are harder than most of the others.

[BeeBeads]

Ooh Linda, that's beautiful .. what a gorgeous colour, and your shapes are PERFECT!!  

Thank you for the tips and you too Scarlet, they're very helpful.  Funnily enough I found myself using the side of the cavity earlier today.  The best thing about a multi-sized roller is that if I get too much glass for one cavity I just move on to the next one!  
I'd like to get a set of the same size eventually though  

[Madam Steph]

Thanks, Bee.

I only have one size disc in my plain mixer, so it was a labour of love 

The glass is Lauscha Peach Trans...my favourite of any glass evah!

L x

[MyPrecious]

Linda, that is beautiful!

All the advice given so far is great. I either use the side or the bottom of the cavity as a rolling point, depending on the shape. For discs, I tend to use the bottom (the pointy side ).