I still don't have a proper bracelet mandrel. I did get some car exhaust piping from my local hardware store to help me shape and pound wire into bangles. But a tapered one sure would be handy to do the same plus help make a small bangle larger. I never thought about baseball bats until friend and reader Aims sent me this cool tutorial.
The instructor John Ahr shows how to saw up a baseball bat to create a bracelet mandrel complete with a tang so it can be held in a vise.
It does require some work to get this done plus proper saws. My wood working uncle made me a wooden stepped ring mandrel. Maybe I could ask him if he could make one for me?
But it seems from this forum posting that some jewelry makers just use the bat as is. One uses a youth aluminum baseball bat. Another has been using a hickory pick ax handle for years. If the wallet is a bit thin, consider looking out for unwanted baseball bats at yard sales.
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
The instructor John Ahr shows how to saw up a baseball bat to create a bracelet mandrel complete with a tang so it can be held in a vise.
It does require some work to get this done plus proper saws. My wood working uncle made me a wooden stepped ring mandrel. Maybe I could ask him if he could make one for me?
But it seems from this forum posting that some jewelry makers just use the bat as is. One uses a youth aluminum baseball bat. Another has been using a hickory pick ax handle for years. If the wallet is a bit thin, consider looking out for unwanted baseball bats at yard sales.
Before You Go:
______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you pointed out that you can just use the bat as is. That was the first thing that came to my mind. I use all kinds of household things as mandrels. That said, I'm sure it is nicer to have a special mandrel.
ReplyDeleteI think I would buy an oval bracelet mandrel but am quite happy to use a substitute for round ones to save money!!
DeleteWhat a strange coincidence Pearl. I was thinking of this tutorial this morning before I sat down here to read your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a brilliant idea. I also think that wood - as compared to metal - would give quite a different response when you get to whacking on whatever you're making.
I've got my eye out for a bat at the local yard sales...I think things are always at least worth a try.
Yes, it is worth trying if you can pick up a used bat for a song!
DeleteI have all wood mandrels which I collect myself from our forest. I favor rock hard dry standing lodge pole pines, and I have from a size 5 ring mandrel, up to large bracelet size mandrels which I have permanently marked. I looked hard at all the mandrel tools, and the ones I fell in love with were wood too. I so love each mandrel, like old friends! I used a ring sizer to measure and mark my wood, and I plan on wood burning them in the future. A baseball bat is a great all in one kind of larger mandrel, perfect for lots of folks, good idea! Thanks for sharing Pearl!
ReplyDeleteThanks for inspiring us to consider poles! I agree wood has a different feel to metal mandrels. A warmer feel although I would be hesitant to whack too hard on a wooden one.
DeleteThe ingenuity of people is endless :)
ReplyDelete