Bead Cap Mandrel - Directions

Think Safety:

Be proactive about safety. Take classes, do research, and talk with experts. Actively work to identify, and then reduce or eliminate hazards. You are responsible for your own safety and long term health.
Always use the correct filtered glasses to protect your eyes.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Always work with proper ventilation. Talk with an expert about your situation.
Set up and operate your torch system safely. Take a class or get an expert to show you.
Keep your workspace clean and organized. Set up your tools and glass so you don't need to reach over or around the torch.
Be careful with water. Putting hot tools or glass in water can generate steam. Long tubes can create jets of steam.
Watch out for repetitive strain injury (RSI). Take breaks, watch your posture, and cushion your elbow rests.
Always remove and clean your beads while wet to minimize bead release dust in the air.

Preparation:

Inspect the mandrel and wiggle the ball to check the connection. In the unlikely event of a lose connection, do not use the mandrel and contact Inspiration Toolworks for a replacement.
Dip in your favorite bead release and dry. You may or may not find you need to scuff up the surface of the rod and ball with sandpaper for the bead release to "stick".
Dry in the normal manner. You may have better luck with air drying.

Bead Construction:

You will have to experiment to see what works best for you. I find that what works for me is to lay down a bead at the base of the ball near the mandrel and then heat it and let droop over the ball while rotating it to keep an even droop. I usually have to go back and add some more glass near the mandrel to compensate and avoid the "pointys".
Alternatively, you can simply lay down the glass for the cap where you want it. You can wrap the glass on the rod and continue up the side of the ball.
You don't have to touch the rod with the glass. You could lay the glass around the side of the ball and leave a larger hole.
Be careful not to go over the edge away from the ball end. You may not be able to remove the cap if you go over the edge.
When finished, place the whole thing in the kiln for annealing.

Bead Removal: