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Size does matter
 

Mandrels come in different sizes.

 

I make all of my smaller beads on the 1/16" mandrel.
My cactus beads and bicones are usually made on th 3/32" mandrel.

And lately I have been making beads with very large holes on those big and bigger mandrels.

Here are some beads so you can compare holes...

 

 

MANDRELS
in decimal
in mm
1/16
.063"
1.6mm
3/32
.094"
2.39mm
1/4
.25"
6.35mm

 

Okay, what stringing materials will fit through those holes?

For the beads made on 1/16" mandrel I use....

Softflex .019 or .024

Wire up to 16 gauge

Silk cord Size 7

You will need to adjust if you are mixing the lampworked beads with crystals or pearls

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If I'm making a bangle bracelet I usually use 14 gauge wire for the bracelet which means that I need beads made on a 3/32" mandrel.

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