Anyone use beading tools?

[angboy]

I saw a tool for bowl work that was called a beading tool and showed using it to make uniform beeds in bowls or spindles. Is there anything similar that can be used on a pen, for those of us who can't seem to master making the really small and precise beads that some people are so good at? The ones for the bowls/spindles would be too big, b/c I think the smallest they came in was one to make 1/4" beads. If anybody has any great ideas, I'd appreciate it!

 

[JimGo]

I bought some cheap tools from HF with the hope of making my own beading tools.

 

[alamocdc]

Angela, Ed "YoYoSpin" Davidson is the bead king when it comes to pens. Hopefully he'll chime in on this and let you know something. If he doesn't, I don't think he would mind answering a PM. He's always a great help!

 

[DCBluesman]

If you can stand the financial pain, Sorby makes beading tools in 1/8" and 3/16".

 

[Paul in OKC]

Where are ya, Fred?[]

 

[Fred in NC]

Hello ! Present and accounted for !!!!

I am testing the tools right now. I have 1/8", 3/32", and two 1/16" side by side.

My offer will be in the individual classifieds in a day or two.

 

[ctEaglesc]

I don't do them often but a small chip carving set fo about $5.00 has gouges that can be honed quickly fo beads and coves.You can find them at Harbor Freight.
Has a neat little skew also, about 1/4".

 

[Rifleman1776]

One of my favorite sources for tool making supplies is the local flea market. I look for screwdrivers that fit the size I need. Heated with a propane torch they soften up a bit. Then for a beading tool, drill a hole near the end the size you want. Grind and sharpen to suit your needs. Reheat as hot as possible (if using propane) [straw color with Mapp or welding equip.], plunge in water to harden. And/or you can Kasenit the surface. That's optional in my experience. Start using.

 

[Gary Max]

Fred you need to get busy. The wife keeps asking about the beading tools. I just keep putting her off---I tell her you are a real busy man.

 

[Ron in Drums PA]

Cement nails are harden steel, I made a small scraper from one once. It would be just as easy to turn it into a skew or a beading tool depending on how you grind it.

 

[melogic]

Originally posted by Gary Max
<br />Fred you need to get busy. The wife keeps asking about the beading tools. I just keep putting her off---I tell her you are a real busy man.

This is the same thing I've been telling my wife Gary. She wanted to buy a beading tool a couple of weeks ago at Woodcraft and I had to stop her and remind her she wouldn't be happy with it.

 

[Gary Max]

Mark it's getting bad here---my wife has been using dental tools for small detail stuff----they really have way to much flex. I am hoping Fred gets these done soon.[]