How to Get Beads Off a Mandrel

Lampwork beads can be made using a metal rod, or mandrel, to hold and shape the glass during the heating process. The mandrel gives the bead its hole and allows your hand some distance from the flame. Creating a lampwork glass bead only to have it get stuck on a mandrel can be frustrating. Sometimes the bead release is simply embedded too deeply in the glass to be removed, or the release is broken and the bead has been fused directly to the mandrel. You should attempt several removal techniques before giving up on your creation.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Release agent
• Bowl
• Oil
• Vinegar
• 1 tsp. dishwasher liquid
• Freezer
• Heavy pliers or vice grip
• Rubber grip

Instructions

1. Add a bit of water to your releasing agent and shake it to mix it, which will provide a more even coat than stirring. Double dip your mandrel in the release before creating your bead as an extra precaution against sticking.

2. Soak mandrels with finished beads in water overnight. Grip the mandrel in your left hand and the bead in your right, and twist the bead from side to side to loosen. Slide the loosened bead off the mandrel.

3. Try soaking it in oil, vinegar, or one cup water with 1 tsp. of dishwasher liquid overnight. Loosen the bead by twisting side to side, and slide it off the mandrel.

4. Freeze the mandrel and bead overnight if soaking does not work. Use heavy pliers or a vice grip to hold the mandrel and a rubber grip to twist and pull off the bead.

5. Clean out the bead hole with a pipe cleaner or a dremel.

Tips & Warnings

• Clay release agents can be saved and re-hydrated to use again.

• Larger mandrels are easier to work with and make your beads easier to string.

• Always keep a bowl of cold water nearby in case of burns.

References

• Turtle Beads: Instructions- Lampwork
• John Bump's Homepage: Beads
• Glass and Splinters: Flower Bead Tutorial