Curved 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:

Dip in an EASY RELEASE bead release and dry. So far, only FOSTER FIRE REGULAR has worked for me in testing. Other bead makers have reported success with Bucket 'o Mud, Zippz and Kragg Mudd. I recommend trying the mandrel before you scuff it up to get the release to stick. It is better to keep it smooth.
If you have trouble keeping the bead release from cracking, you may want to try air drying instead of flame drying.

Bead Construction:

Add glass in the normal manner. Try to do it very evenly.
Keep the bead 1/2" away from the handle end of the curve.
To get good pucker, you can add more glass at the ends and carefully marver it out.
You may need to add more glass to a section to even out the curvature.
I find that shaping by gravity and heat works well.
When finished, place the whole thing in the kiln for annealing.

Bead Removal:

DO NOT TWIST THE BEAD.
Get your Vise-Grips out.
Soak the bead in water for a few minutes.
Apply the vise grips on the straight part, right beind the curvature.
Pull or push the bead to get it to loosen. You are trying to rock it around the curve. I use my thumb.
If you need, use a piece of wood against the Vise-Grips to lever the bead lose.
When loosened, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE YET. Rock the bead back and forth around the curve, under water, until you find it much easier to move.
Now you can take it off.
String or pipe cleaner can be used for cleaning.