Making a cab on the end of a mandrel

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

What size mandrel do you guys use to make a cab on?
I have a cab mandrel but fancy trying to make one 'Patti Walton' style (at the Flame Off this year). I've tried a 5mm and the bead release fell off before I even got started (too cool, I guess) and a 2mm - managed an ok cab at the end but it was wobbling furiously by the time I plonked it onto the bottom of the kiln 
So, for those of you that do...... What size and any tips?
Thanks guys 

[sparrow]

I usually make them on 2mm mandrels....but not as big as Pati! 

[Margram]

Yes, 2mm - and keep warming the back!

[julieHB]

I almost always use 2.4mm - just a tad sturdier than the 2mm, but not so big that it draws the heat out of the glass to quickly.

[MangoBeads]

Any size but the bigger the mandrel anchor the glass further down the tip so more of the mandrel is inside the cab . Does that makes sense ?

[mizgeorge]

Julie's beadspanner makes these a whole lot easier too!

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

Excellent. So, really I just need to practise 
Your bead spanner looks great Julie, maybe you'd like me to stock it in the shop for you 

[Krysia@No98]

Maybe look at your bead release too, is it too thick?

[SilverGems89]

I use 2.4mm mandrels for cabs also, if it's wobbling your working too hot 

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

I dont think it was wobbling because it was too hot. I think I wasn't quite gentle enough 

[SilverGems89]

I dont think it was wobbling because it was too hot. I think I wasn't quite gentle enough 

ahhhhh, yeah, i always use fresh dipped and flame dried mandrels for cabs 

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

Great tips. Thank you.

[JKC]

I use 1.6 mandrel for stud earrings. Janet

[Lush!]

I like big ones ... mandrels, that is 

[Diane]

I like big ones ... mandrels, that is

Well someone had to lower the tone