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Supplies & Equipment for Pottery, Education & Crafts
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Professional Bead Roller Set 7 Instructions

Professional System Set 7
This tool will allow you to make consistent, uniform beads over and over. You can also pierce beads while they are inside the roller, avoiding fingerprints and distortion from handling.
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Create These Bead Shapes
Cut clay to 5/8" for the 10mm bead and 5/8" for the 27x11mm bead after removing shaved clay from top chamber of roller.

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Bead Roller Components
(Please refer to numbered photo)
1. Alignment Channel of top
2. Channel for Alignment bar of base
3. Pin Path and Alignment Lines (darkened in photo)
4. Alignment Bar (darkened in photo)
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Please look at your new bead roller and the photograph above to become familiar with it. The bead roller parts are identical and have two slots inside the alignment channel (No. 1) on one side for the alignment bar (No. 4). Place the alignment bar in the alignment channel of either part and press the tabs into the slots until they snap securely into place. This part now becomes the base. A bead is formed by the action of the roller top gliding over a measured amount of clay placed in a channel in the base. This bead roller has two channels to create the bead shapes shown above. A pin path for the enclosed piercing pins used to create perfect holes, is shown in the photo, darkened for easier identification.
Measuring
To roll beads successfully, clay must be measured. You will need a sharp blade, which can cause personal injury and is not intended for use by unsupervised children. Always hold a clay blade by its dull edge. Pack conditioned clay in the chamber of the roller top between pin paths for the bead you wish to roll. Carefully trim the excess clay off, using the clay blade held nearly parallel with the roller top. Cut away from yourself and keep fingers clear of the blade. The surface of the clay filled chamber should be flat and level with the roller top. Using a six inch ruler with raised increment marks (or the side of the ruler base if it has a ruler), press one edge of the ruler into the clay, just enough to leave the marks from the ruler. Remove the clay from the top and place it on a work surface. Cut clay at 5/8" for the 10mm bead and 5/8" for the 27x11mm bead.
Rolling the bead
Hand roll measured clay into a ball and place in the chamber of the base for the bead shape you wish to create, midway between the pin paths. Place the roller top over the base so that the alignment channel in the top fits over the alignment bar in the base. Holding the base stationary, move the top back and forth over the base. The stroke length needs to be no longer than an inch or two. Move only until bead is formed. Rapid, long strokes are unnecessary and could be detrimental to success. Once formed, travel the bead as close as possible to the pin path, using the top. Remove the top and center the bead directly in the pin path.
Piercing the bead
Turn the base so you can see the vertical alignment lines. Place the top over the base squarely, so the vertical lines on the side of the top are in alignment with the lines on the side of the base. A piercing pin can now be inserted into the small pin path hole directly between the vertical alignment lines. The pin can be inserted from either side. Inserting from the side farthest from the formed bead helps align the pin straight. Hold the pin straight as you pierce through the bead. The pin can be removed from the insertion side after piercing part way through the bead and re-inserted into the other side. Once the pin is completely through the bead, remove the top. Protect pins from moisture. Clean pins with fine sand paper as needed.
Inspecting
The bead can now be picked up by the pin and inspected without touching it. No fingerprints! If any distortion occurred during the piercing, there is an area about an inch long on each end of the roller where the bead can be gently re-rolled with the piercing pin in place. The more accurately the clay is measured the less re-rolling will be necessary.
Curing
Lift bead by the pin and suspend for curing. The AMACO Bead Baking Rack is made for holding beads on these pins for baking. If using polymer clay, cure beads at temperature recommended by clay manufacturer. To remove bead after curing, hold pin with pliers and twist cured bead.
Cleaning
Baby oil or mineral oil on a soft cloth or paper towel is recommended to clean your rollers as needed. Always wipe dry after cleaning. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials. Protect bead piercing pins from moisture. Clean pins with fine sandpaper as needed.
Click here for tips on using your Professional Bead Roller System.
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AMACO Products
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