Bead release problems!

[nickie1105]

Hi all,

Things are/were going swimmingly well until I ran out of bead release and decided to have a go at my own 50/50 Kaolin and Alumina Hydrate bead release. I dipped my mandrels and let them dry overnight and all seemed to be well until I touched them- the slightest touch to the mandrel made the release fall off into a pile of dust so it obviously hadn't adhered to the mandrels. I then tested some that still had some bead release on them in the flame only to find they flaked almost immediately. My mandrels were cleaned with wire wool, rinsed and dried thoroughly prior to dipping in the bead release so what am I doing wrong? I'd really appreciate your help!

[qwirkyglass]

does bead release not have some form of clay slip in it as a sticking agent? or am i getting my resists mixed up?

[nickie1105]

hi quirky, Kaolin is a clay...something's wrong though...just don't know what it is yet! Maybe it needs something else adding to it?

[Margram]

I always burn off any grease from the manufacturing process in the flame before first use (after sanding/wire wool cleaning).

[qwirkyglass]

thank you nickie, you learn something new every day

[nickie1105]

Thanks Margram, I don't think this is my problem though- my mandrels have been used about 3 times each and there was never any problem with the bead release supplied with my kit from Tuffnells which is why I'm inclinded to believe it's my bead release as opposed to the mandrels. I'm just off to apply the little I have left of the Tuffnells release to make sure! Thanks again!

[Pat from Canvey]

Have a look at   http://www.davebross.com/GlassTech/whatarelampworkbeads.html    and cursor down. They mention feldspar used as a flux in the posted recipe.

[nickie1105]

Thanks Pat- much appreciated! I'm off to have a gander now! 

[julieHB]

Here's another one: Maggie's bead release, based on Michael Barley's recipe (which I think he wrote about in one of the soda lime times - was it the August issue?). I think Corina Tettinger has Barley's recipe on her website as well.

http://www.glassbeadmakers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1949

[nickie1105]

Thanks Julie, will have a look at that one too, I really appreciate everyone's help! And yes, it's very definitely my bead release that's the problem and not the mandrels  , used the last of my Tuffnells stuff and it's fine, I guess I'm just going to have to experiment with different ingredients/recipes to find something that works!

[Beansprout]

If you only have Kaolin and Alumina handy, try a little more Kaolin. That will make it more elastic and stick to the mandrels more ^^ Try a couple of mixes, 55% kaolin, 60% Kaolin and so on. Might be an interesting little task Let us know your results!