Making your own Beading Tools

[Dennis Weiner]

How would one form your own beading tools of various radius sizes from HSS stock? Is there various radius grinding stones out there? Sources?

 

[john lucas]

Dremel has a lot of.grinding stones. Also look at their.chain saw sharpening stones. You can also find inexpensive diamond hones from.Harbour Freight. here is a video I made on turning beads that covers using beading tools.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjYehUsMdB4

 

[john lucas]

I have made beading tools.from screwdrivers. Anneal.the tip buy heating it red hot until.its non magnetic. Let it cool naturally. Then youncan usena round file to shape it. Then heat it cherry red until.its non magnetic a d quench it water. Polish it with sandpaper and then heat it gently until it's a light straw color. Quench it again in water. Now you have a usable tool.

With this type of grinding wheel you can shape the outside with a diamond hone so that you can turn it into a beading grinder. ttps://www.amazon.com/Dremel-Aluminum-Oxide-Grinding-Stone/dp/B000GAX97K/ref=sr_1_92?dchild=1&keywords=dremel+grinding+stones&qid=1615208434&sr=8-92

 

[hockenbery]

Or you can sharpen a too short spindle gouge upside down.

 

[Clifton C]

I anneal, harden and temper as John states, however, I drill a hole thru the blade at what I think is a good scraper angle, then grind back from the tip so a little less than half the hole remains, then grind the sides to form the spurs.

 

[john lucas]

I anneal, harden and temper as John states, however, I drill a hole thru the blade at what I think is a good scraper angle, then grind back from the tip so a little less than half the hole remains, then grind the sides to form the spurs.

Yes I have done the same thing but just forgot. That is a very good way to get a precise size.