Polymer Clay Message Board - Polymer Clay Forum - The Clay Store

suebeth · Starting Member Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 5

Hi, I have a question hopefully someone can answer for me. I have the Poly-Tools small round bead roller set, the smallest bead that it rolls is 3mm which is tiny. I love that I can make a bead so perfectly small and round, but my problem is: how do I make the hole in something so small without distorting the bead?
Thanks for any suggestions you can give me!

SueBeth

Keenan's Kreations · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:07 am Post subject: Bead Roller

I would use a very sharp needle, let the beads rest after rolling, before attempting to pierce them, and I would also try making a small intent where you want the hole, bake them and drill them with a dremel tool after they have baked.

I use my bead roller every time I make beads, I love them!!
I have also found the Bead baking try that comes with the sharp piercing pins to be very helpful and I have great sucess with getting beads to keep there shape.

I will give these tips a try and let you know how they come out.
I had never even thought about making beads that small. I alway used that size to make eyes!
Thank you for the idea.

I hope this helps,
Smile

Jeri

suebeth · Starting Member Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 5

Thanks Jeri!

The Dremel tool can make a hole that small? I've thought about getting one. How do you hold the bead steady while drilling it? Doesn't it slide around? Sorry for all the questions!!

Thanks,
SueBeth

Keenan's Kreations · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject: Smiling

I had not thought about how to hold a bead that small Laughing

My husband cringes when I drill a 6mm bead. At first it scared me, but now it is real easy.

I don't know how a 3 mm bead would be.
I am going to make bead on Monday night. I will try it and let you know how it work Very Happy

.

I use the cordless dremmel, it is not as powerful as the one with a cord, so I think it is great.
I bought a special bit set that has a bit the is .5mm, this is nice small hole.
I have been using the 1 mm for all my beads now.

I personally think the investement for the dremmel is great.
I also buffs beads and other things very well. The cotton buffing wheel is ok, although on line somewhere Confused

there is a web site that gives instructions for making a pad out of felt to fit onto the dremmel.
I have not done this, but I think it is a good idea.

Hope this helps.
I will post tomorrow with my results.
Jeri

Keenan's Kreations · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:15 pm Post subject: Tiny Beads

Well here is the results from my testing Smile

.
3mm, roll with a stiffer clay, premo, Kato, and then let rest or put in the freezer and use a sharp beading needle to pierce.
I don't know how strong this bead would be.
I could not drill this with the .5mm bit, the bead broke apart.

4mm, bead worked very well.
roll with a stiffer clay, let rest or cool, pierce with the beading needle, bake on polyfill for in cornstarch(to maintain shape).
I had good sucess with driling the hole after baking with the .5mm bit.

I think I may try making some of the 4mm beads myself.
I hope this helps.

Thank you,
Jeri

suebeth · Starting Member Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 5

Wow, sounds like it worked pretty well! I think I'll try the 4mm myself. There's really not that much difference in the size, and if they're "drillable" then that's great. Thanks for experimenting with this!! I'll let you know how mine turns out!

Suebeth

Makaren · Starting Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 2

One of my favorite pieces of equipment is my corded Dremel. I usually put an indentation where I want the hole to give the drill bit something to center on and hold the bead in a pair of needle nose pliers where I've wrapped the jaws in painter's tape to cushion them. I also have a drill press that the Dremel attaches to. If you put even a fine hole through a bead, it gives the Dremel a sort of pathway to follow. You can buy a smaller collet and a set of really fine bits at dealers that sell Dremels.

Sometimes it also helps to put the bead aside and let them rest or even put them in the freezer for a few minutes so they "set up" a bit. That makes it easier to put a hole through without distorting the bead.

kittenspawn · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:55 pm Post subject:

freeze the uncured bead, and use a beading needle, they're teeny tiny.

if you want to use a dremel, try putting the cured bead in a wad of unbaked clay, to hold it, that way if you slip, you'll only damage the unbaked clay, which, really, won't damage at all