I'm having a lot of lentils break along the mandrel line, either in the kiln or at some mysterious point afterward. (I often find a fracture line in them AFTER the first inspection.) The second most common problem (this is with mold-shaped lentils, btw) is small fracturing around the mandrel hole when I'm cleaning the bead. What am I doing wrong? Or is this just one of the trickier beads to make, clean and string?
Thx for any help! Giselle
When you finish pressing the beads make sure that you give them an even heating. Pay particular attention to the bead holes and the part of the bead that lies along the mandrel. Pressed beads should go directly into a kiln, they have thin areas that will cool down too quick.
_______________________________________________________________ Posted at C-krits Crafting Forums -
I usually clean by hand (I like it -- it's like therapy :) but I wondered if I was being a bit too vigorous. It didn't seem like I was being unduly harsh but I'll try to slow down and go more gently.
Thx.
I *think* that all my later ones have been going directly into the kiln but I'll try to keep track from now on. I know I used to lose a lot more of them and I think that was before my kiln arrived.
Thx.
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