Removing bead release

I have some lampwork beads, they are the "manufactured" type (cheap beads, LOL ;o) They're very pretty, but they have gobs of release inside. I have tried to get it out with a needle file, a piece of wire that was wrapped hangman-style (for more grabbing texture), and with a pointy stylus tool. I've managed to get a lot of it off, but I can't get the last layer off. I have "real" lampwork beads, and they don't have a trace of release in their holes.

Is there some magic trick that I don't know about, or do cheap beads also mean cheap release that is impossible to get all the way off? I have a Dremel, is there a way to use that to get the release off? (I'm very inexperienced with my Dremel)

Reply to
Kyla
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I put mine in the dishwasher inside a mesh pot. works really well. Shirley

In article , Kyla writes

Reply to
Shirley Shone

After I scrape out as much as I can, I soak mine in soapy water and go after it with a wet pipe cleaner. A *real* pipe cleaner, not a fuzzy chenille stem. The brand name is "Dill's" and you can find them in with the tobacco products at your local drug store. Of course, this only works with beads with fairly large holes. Perhaps you could try cotton kitchen twine for beads with smaller holes.

I'd not use the Dremel until you're really comfortable with it. Too many ways to hurt oneself trying to hold a bead and use a scrubby bit at the same time.

Reply to
Arondelle

Reply to
roxan

I have hunted high and low for those pipe cleaners with metal in. They do not seem to be available in UK. Come to that there are not many tobacconists shops nowadays. people seem to buy their smokes from the supermarkets. Shirley

Reply to
Shirley Shone

The pipe cleaners I use don't seem to have metal in the bristles, just a short, cottony fuzz. And, they'd be sold where one would buy pipes and pipe tobacco. A chemist's shop, perhaps? I can't imagine an Englishman without his pipe! You'll probably have to find a pipe-smoker and ask him. ;-)

Arondelle

Reply to
Arondelle

I used a round diamond file for mine.

Reply to
Stef

A chemist in UK would never sell them. Pipe smoking also seems to have gone out of fashion. I think the thought of getting mouth and tongue cancers put them off. I only see the older end smoking them, but no so many of them either. DH smoked one at one time but he says he has never heard of these pipe cleaners. We get the ordinary fluffy ones. Shirley

Reply to
Shirley Shone

< Not sure, but..., this may be what everyone is talking about and looking for? I hope it is anyway. :)
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Harry My Ebay Auctions are at
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Reply to
Harry

My Ebay Auctions are at

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Reply to
Harry

Surely not!! Have you tried a childrens craft shop? If I remember right, I got my littlies some of these from the local $2 shop! or Whitcoulls Stationers or similar... Kids just love to make things out of these things

HIH

Mavis

Reply to
AmazeR

If liquor and tobacco are sold together, you might find them there. Pete goes to the liquor store to find his loose tobacco to roll.

Tina

Reply to
Christina Peterson

Is there some magic trick that I don't know about, or do cheap beads also mean cheap release that is impossible to get all the way off? I have a Dremel, is there a way to use that to get the release off? (I'm very inexperienced with my Dremel) >>>>

SOAK.... try denture cleaner - if that isn't tough enough for your particular problem.. Then get a bottle of "Lime Away" in the cleaning section of your store. Dilite 50/50 with water- soak in that at least overnight. WEAR RUBBER GLOVES please... rinse and ream again . That should do it.

Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

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Reply to
Cheryl

Surely not!! Have you tried a childrens craft shop? If I remember right, I got my littlies some of these from the local $2 shop!>

too soft - those aren't really "pipe cleaners" - they are "chenille stems"

BTW -- for all those in need. Arrow Springs sells a brush designed just for this purpose..... (tiny wire bristle brush the size of a pipe cleaner on one end, and a larger plastic bristle cone on the other) I love mine... LOL

Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

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Reply to
Cheryl

Actually - it's more like an industrial strength "pipe" cleaner -- I did some hunting and found some industrial items that probably fit the bill

see this page - down a bit and look for the next to last item: Condenser Tube / Heat Exchanger Brushes and Accessories

there is a picture of four pieces - note the "diameter" in the text to the left...

3/8 inch --- YES ! These are perfect... the size of bead mandrels!!! LOL

OR - again - the smoke shop option

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scrollll WAY down - find "shank brush" click on picture... PERFECT -- nylon bristles - but would probably do the trick.

Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

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Reply to
Cheryl

Yes I have tried the craft shops. Can get plenty of the cotton and chenille ones there but not ones with metal in. They would be deemed unsafe for small children to use so would not be sold in children's crafts shops. Shirley

Reply to
Shirley Shone

Reply to
roxan

Do you have a Water Pic? One of those things that squirts jets of water to clean between your teeth? They work wonders for cleaning out beads and all sorts of things. Barbara Dream Master

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If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans. Woody Allen

Reply to
Barbara Otterson

I cannot afford one of those things for my teeth let alone for beads LOL best thing is to try and avoid buying the beads in the first place. VBG

Shirley

In article , Barbara Otterson writes

Reply to
Shirley Shone

What about using a clean mascara wand?

Reply to
Helen Page

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