I'm a thread burner convert

Up until a few weeks ago, I had never used a thread burner. My usual method of cutting thread tails in beadwork was the polish-and-trim method: Leave a loop of thread between beads, dab on a drop of clear nail polish, pull the thread into the beadwork, and then, while still pulling the thread taut with one hand, use scissors in the other hand to trim the thread as close to the beadwork as possible.

This method works pretty well to "pin" the thread inside of a bead so that it doesn't stick out and look funny, but it obviously involves several steps.

So I decided to try a thread burner and compare the results. Success! This is a great little tool. It cuts through nylon beading thread and "cauterizes" it at the same time, meaning that the thread cannot fray. And because thread shrinks back a little when you burn through it, it usually disappears nicely.

To use a thread burner, you hold down a button on its side to activate the heating element in the wire tip. If you hold the button down long enough, the tip actually becomes red hot - but once you get the hang of it, you only need to hold it down for a few seconds to make a cut. When you gently touch the wire tip to a piece of nylon thread, the thread instantly cuts and shrinks back. And you're done. (See? This is much faster than the polish-and-trim method.)

If you decide to try a thread burner, consider these tips and precautions:

• To avoid getting burned, never touch the wire tip when the burner is activated, or soon after it was used.
• Of course, keep your thread burner out of children's reach.
• Steady your hand when you make a cut so that you don't accidentally cut the wrong thread, or otherwise damage your beadwork.
• To make a cut, merely touch the wire tip to the thread. If it doesn't cut through, then your thread burner may need new batteries.
• Always keep the cap on the thread burner when it's not in use, to protect the tip from damage.
• Try to work in a well-ventilated area, or, at minimum, avoid having your nose directly over the burner when you make a cut. Oftentimes a tiny puff of plastic-smoke wafts up, which cannot be the healthiest thing in the world to inhale.
• Only use a burner on the types of thread that it's recommended for. If you're unsure, contact the manufacturer to confirm which threads you can use.

Thread burners are available through ArtBeads and many other online retailers. Most local bead shops also carry them.

Comments

[Designer Jewelry]

What an informative article! I have never used this tool, but I think I may try it out. Thanks!

[Dave at Rings & Things]

Hi Chris, a thorough and thoughtful product review like this is going to interest a lot of people. I'll want to tweet about this one on Twitter! Thanks so much for your good work.

-- Dave

[beadjewelry]

Thanks for visiting, and thanks for the tweet, Dave! :)

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