Tee Hole 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.

Assembly:

Insert the bolt into the spacer (hollow tube) and place the tip of the bolt at the hole in the main rod.
Use your fingertips to twist the bolt into the threaded hole.
Use the allen wrench to LIGHTLY snug up the bolt. Only light finger pressure is needed.
The end of the bolt should protrude slightly out the other side.
You should avoid using pliers on the bolt, even for removal. The allen wrench and your fingers should be all you need.

Preparation:

Dip in your favorite bead release and dry.
It is recommended that you allow it to air dry, as the inner corners tend to get a thicker coat which may bubble or pit if you flame dry.

Bead Construction:

You will have to experiment to see what works best for you. I have found that putting three little donuts on each arm to establish the footprint and then going back and filling in the center works.
Don't be surprised to see the ends of the short arm glow more brightly than usual.
You may find it useful to switch hands. That way you don't have part of the bead shielded from the flame by the short arm , causing uneven melting near the hole surrounding the short arm.
When finished, place the whole thing in the kiln for annealing.

Bead Removal:

After annealing, soak in water, clean the release from the end of the short arm, and use the allen wrench to unscrew the bolt.
Remove the bolt to a safe place. (Those things are easy to lose! That's why the mandrel comes with a spare bolt.)
Remove the spacer. Usually this is fairly easy. If it is difficult, remove the main rod and then re-soak. You can use pliers to help remove the spacer, but do it gently.

Bead Stringing:

When stringing it may help to insert a hooked or looped of wire in the side hole, and then stringing the main hole. Pull the wire out to pull a loop of wire or cord though the side hole