Machines for Making Glass Beads
The art of glass bead making involves approximately seven different methods. Each method requires the use of different tools to produce various effects. Basic machines for making glass beads include metal rods and flame torches, though machinery has been invented to improve some methods or to completely create new methods of producing the beads.
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History
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The machines for making glass beads have changed over the centuries. Glass beads were once made only by simple machines or hand tools such as solid and hollow rods. Though these tools are still used today, technological advancements have allowed bead artists to create beads with controlled flame torches and special bead molds.
Lampwork Glass Beads
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For the lampworking method of making glass beads, a bead artist must have a machine known as a torch. The torch has two nozzles and attaches to a brace that holds the flame to shoot outward away from the bead artist, so that the artist's hands are free for manipulating the shape and designs of the beads. One nozzle of the torch machine expels a propane flame, while the second nozzle expels oxygen to send the flame outward and narrow the width of the flame so that it is easier to craft with. A foot pedal or hand knobs usually power this machine.
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Molded Beads
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Also known as a Bohemian bead, the molded bead is made by pressing molten glass into a machine-operated mold. The softened glass is closed inside the mold, and pressure causes the mold slots to fill with the molten glass. A mechanical needle pierces through the bead inside the mold to create the stringing hole of each bead. Many other types of beads are made from molds that cut the pieces into desired shapes.
Furnace Glass Beads
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To make beads in the furnace glass method, two important machines are needed. An annealing kiln and glass furnace are used to make up large glass canes from smaller glass canes melted together and then cased with clear glass. The beads are then pulled and twisted to both shape and stripe the beads.
Bead Working Methods
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The other various methods of making glass beads include the use of different tools or simple machines to craft the beads. Metal rods, both solid and hollow, were used in the past and are still used today to craft beads. Hollow metal rods help with glass-blowing methods of bead making, as well as creating simple holes for stringing, like the solid rods.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Roy and Susan
