Here is a bead rack I made using a 1/16" stainless steel mandrel. It comes from 1/16" stainless steel welding rod. If you buy your mandrels already pre-cut, I urge you to check out your local welding supply store for 1/16" and 3/32" stainless steel welding rod. It comes in different grades. You want 308 308L. These will take a lot of heat and last a long time. I use a hothead so don't know about the heat from a dual fuel torch.
To make the rack I used 3 of my 1/16" stainless mandrels. Be aware that stainless steel is strong so it will give resistance. I first made a bend a little off center using my round nose pliers. Then I made another bend beside it. After that there is one more bend to make the other leg. Then bend the legs as shown. These first three bends are the middle where the straight mandrel rests. See the picture for an idea of where and how much to bend the legs. The legs must be bent as shown so that they won't tip over under the weight of the beads. I would say to make about a 45-60 degree angle. I made my mandrel that will hold the beads just short of 9" to fit my kiln. I have a table top model that was made by The Glass Hive. I got the short guy :) and I love it. This isn't a plug for them, just saying that my kiln interior measures 9" across.
Ahhh, now I have to make 6 more rests. Then I will be able to anneal more beads at one time than my other, purchased, rest would accommodate. I batch anneal because I do not work at it full time. I usually get from 8-16 hours a week at my torch so I only anneal when I have a full load.
I have an idea that a taller and a shorter version of this bead rest could be made to create two more tiers of racks for better utilization of space in the kiln. Wow! I could have 100-150 beads in there at once. That means I would have to spend more time at the torch, it's a good thing :)
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