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The art of beadmaking by winding molten glass around a steel mandrel is often referred to as
"Lampworking". Early glass beadmakers in Venice used oil lamps as their heat source for melting the glass. Today, it's more common to use
a torch that uses a mix of propane as the fuel and oxygen as an accelerant, to get a precise flame that allows you to control
the heat in the glass as it melts. Mandrels are steel welding rods. The glass is wound around the mandrel. But, if you applied
hot glass to them directly, the glass would stick and never come off. So, the mandrels are dipped in
"Sludge", a bead release
mixture with the consistency of pancake batter. The dipped mandrels are then air dried, and ready for beadmaking. After the
beads are finished annealing in the kiln, the whole mandrel is put in a tub of water to soak, which loosens the sludge,
and the bead can be removed from the mandrel, leaving a nice even hole. |
Stainless Steel Mandrels
These long round rods are made of high temperature metal and make bead
making a snap! Low heat transfer will keep your fingers cools while you wrap
molten glass around the other end. Each Mandrel is 10 inches long and
comes in a pack of 10.
| # 2901 |
1/6" diameter - 10 pack |
$ 10.95 per pack |
Buy |
| # 2902 |
5/64" diameter - 10 pack |
$ 10.95 per pack |
Buy |
| # 2903 |
3/32" diameter - 10 pack |
$ 10.95 per pack |
Buy |
| # 2904 |
1/8" diameter - 10 pack |
$ 10.95 per pack |
Buy |
| # 2905 |
3/16" diameter - 10 pack |
$ 12.95 per pack |
Buy |
| # 2906 |
Assorted - 2 of each size - 10 pack |
$ 11.95 per pack |
Buy |
| # 2908 |
1/4" diameter 11" extra long - 10 pack |
$ 14.95 per pack |
Buy |
 Stainless Steel Hollow Tubes
Use as a miniature blowpipe or as a mandrel to make large diameter bead holes.
1/4" (6mm) diameter.
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# 2907 |
1/4" Stainless Steel Hollow Tube |
$ 7.95 each |
Buy |
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 Stainless Steel Tweezers
Stainless steel tweezer with fine serrated points.
# 1041-C 6" Curved Nose
$ 1.99
Buy
# 1043-C 4.5" Curved Nose
$ 1.79
Buy
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4" 4 piece Tweezer Set
Stainless Steel
Includes: 1 Each
- 4.5" Straight Tweezer
- 4.5" Curved Tweezer
- 4.5" Self-Closing
- 4.5" Spade Point
# 1044-C $ 5.49
Buy
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Bead Release
Powdered releasing agent that is mixed with water to a
creamy, thick consistency. Used to coat the ends of your materials
to prevent glass beads from sticking to metal. Can be flamed dried or air dried.
# 5675 $ 9.95
Buy |
 Self Closing Insulated Tweezers
6.5" Stainless steel tweezers, heat-resistant. Use when soldering or other
times when in contact with heat.
# 1046-C Straight Nose
$ 2.69
Buy
# 1047-C Curved Nose
$ 2.69
Buy
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Enkay Curved 6" Lighted Serrated Tweezer
Put some light on the subject! Push on/off bright
LED Light. Includes three AG3/LR41/392 batteries. Constructed of corrosion
resistant heat treated steel.
# 1032-C $ 4.95
Buy
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Enkay Straight 6" Lighted Serrated Tweezer
Put some light on the subject! Push on/off bright
LED Light. Includes three AG3/LR41/392 batteries. Constructed of corrosion
resistant heat treated steel.
# 1030-C $ 4.95
Buy
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Helping Hands with LED Light & Soldering Stand
A double set of tight grip clips with an attached magnifying glass. The hands will bend and
turn into any position to help with holding wire and other small pieces while you work.
# 4025-C 15.95
Buy
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Helping Hands with Magnifying Glass
Keep your hands free with the "helping hands" magnifier. Two
alligator clips on 4-way swivels allow you to position your project any way
you wish and magnify it with the 2x glass lens. Great for soldering,
jewelry, beadmaking and hundreds of other potential uses!
# 4030-C $ 7.95
Buy
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(800)462-1209
