Starfield Disk Squisher 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.

Starfield Disk Squisher Safety:

The rubber handles are heat and flame resistant, not heat and flame proof. Don't place Squishers in the flame.

Adjustment:

To adjust the squish stop, use the brass thumbscrew and locking nut. Use the outer thumbscrew to adjust the stop, and the inner locking nut to lock the thumbscrew in place.
The plates are only parallel at one point during the squish. In order to adjust this point, you will need to gently add or remove bend in the handle. Adjust one handle arm at a time using two hands on the same arm to change the bend. You may need to change the adjustment based upon the pressure you use to squeeze.

Use:

Build a disk of glass by winding the glass onto the mandrel. As you build the disk, straighten it out by using the squishers.
Slide the mandrel into the slots with the disk in between the plates. Squeeze once to squish and straighten the disk. Rotate the mandrel 90 degrees and squish again.
Please note, the handles are fairly flexible, making it easier to squeeze with your hands. The extra flexibility means you can't apply as much force to manhandle cold glass. You can't just make a fat bead and squish it into a disk. These squishers are more for forming up and straightening a disk.