Button Insert - 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.

Multi Mandrel Safety

DO NOT USE FOR BLOWING. This mandrel is not designed for blowing glass.
DO NOT REMOVE INSERTS WHILE HOT. You need to hold the top of the handle with one hand while unscrewing with the other. You should only remove the inserts after cooling.
Be extra careful with water. The inserts and bead release filling the tube reduce the chance of a hot jet of steam, but do not eliminate it.

Preparation:

There is an allen wrench included that fits the set screw. If you prefer to use a screwdriver, there is an extra screw provided.
Slide the inserts into the handle. If you need to, back the clamp screw off a bit to get them in.
The inserts should be pushed all the way in, the tips may not be the same length.
Push the inserts flat against the top of a table with one hand, with the handle hanging off. This aligns them and keeps them co-planar.
If you want them to have a narrower gap, you may rotate them towards each other.
Tighten the clamp screw. Moderate finger pressure is all you need.
Dip in your favorite bead release, up to the clamp collar, and dry. You may or may not find you need to scuff up the surface of the mandrels with sandpaper for the bead release to "stick".

Button Construction:

Apply glass between the mandrels and wrap around to form your button.
Don't be surprised to hear "cracking" noises. As the rods in the tube heat up, they can slide against each other. This can be confused with the sounds of glass getting too cool and cracking.
Put the whole mandrel into the kiln for annealing.

Button Removal:

Soak in water.
Loosen the clamp. One turn should do it.
Pull your button and the inserts out. You may wiggle them *gently*.
Remove the inserts from the button. With the inserts separated you can rotate them in the hole, unlike other button mandrels.
A cylindrical diamond tool is recommended for cleaning.