Electric Mandrel and roller Marver tools
Posted by BorntoBeadnz on April 14, 2010
Having been to visit Laurie Caroll’s studio as seen in previous post, he has two new tools that I thought I would look into and expand on.
The two tools appear to go hand in hand for best use. The first tool is the electric mandrel. Basically the tool has various sized tips in which you can insert the end of your mandrel much the same as you would a rotary tool like a Dremel. The tool then plugs into a transformer that allows you to change the speed of the turning. Laurie appears to have purchased the delux model (correct me if I am wrong Laurie) which takes 9 different sized mandrels and also has better or more variable speeds. Having gone online to Torchbugs and lampworketc the feedback on this device is amazing. It would appear that once you have had a “Deluxe electric mandrel spinner” you will never look back. There are many of us full timers who are starting to develop rsi in the thumb but more importantly the spinner allows a steady even pace rolling so you can apply stringers and decorations with ease, and making earring bead sets, two beads on a mandrel is a breeze. The other cool thing is it gives you a very steady hand for those of us who shake rattle and roll.
The second tool which comes hand in hand is the Roller Marver tool, which is a set of rollers that spin, so while you have your hot bead pressed into the rollers they for a perfect (and I mean this) perfect shape.
You can currently buy these two tools through Bead Glass in Australia I have emailed them to see if maybe we can get a group discount based on volume as the electric mandrel without shipping is $575, and the roller marver an additional $128 without shipping or GST. Maybe they can help us with a combo deal.
In any event I can personally say that I may consider the investment as I have a sore thumb starting and want to have longevity in the game.
Here are two videos that show how both work…