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I bought a set of Prismacolors while on vacation in Arizona, but all the leads are breaking on me. I've been really careful when sharpening but they still break off. Any ideas or suggestions? has anyone experienced the same?
I love the results they produce (Especially with mineral spirits) but I'm thinking I might have been better off spending my $$$ somewhere else.
I recently purchased the 48 set. I used an electric sharpener for all and had no breakage. Hopefully, the set you bought never got dropped which can break leads inside the wood, I've heard.
I recently purchased the 48 set. I used an electric sharpener for all and had no breakage. Hopefully, the set you bought never got dropped which can break leads inside the wood, I've heard.
I Saw that on another thread (the dropped part). So I am wondering if that happened. :( I'll get an electric sharpener though! Good IDea!
Sometimes you can insert the broken piece back into the lead shaft of the pencil (hope that made sense) with a bit of glue on the broken end. I've used superglue and Crystal Effects and both work great. It can be tricky to line up the two broken ends inside the pencil but when you can, it works quite well.
I have the same trouble with mine, why I have quit using them. I even went and bought the sharpner that prisma puts out, and they still did it. Very frustrating!
I've had the same trouble. I use their sharpener. Very frustrating.
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OK....my friend just told me how to fix broken pencils......I put them on a cookie sheet and put them on top of the stove when the oven was on to catch the heat....they melt inside and then you stick them in the freezer to shape them back off....bring em back to room temp and they are good to go....
I actually put mine in the oven on a cookie sheet on very low heat as my oven was not on long enough to get them warm enough....worked like a GEM!!! Just keep an eye on em ....
Thanks so much for the tip on heating them. I've had the same problem with mine. I don't know for sure what the problem is but I've heard that it's probably to do with handling during shipping. I just presumed that could be the reason as mine were shipped from the US to N Ireland.
I purchased some from Dick Blick and 3 were broken when I sharpened them. I called them and they did send me 3 new ones but they told me to put the broken ones in the microwave for 20 sec. and they would melt and then be fixed. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds like itmight work. The oven method sounds good too.
I've been using prismas for several years and I had more breakage with the prismacolor sharpener. The best are the little silver metal sharpeners or an electric sharpener. My electric sharpener was only $5. Prismas are soft lead and they will break if you press to hard. If dropped on a hardsurface during shipping or stocking the lead will be broken and you won't know it.
Because I use a thick outline of color I don't sharpen my pencils to a point - I leave a blunt end and I have less breakage. I like the instructions at inkyantics.com.
If you search on Gamsol there are a tons of posts and each one offers some great tips.
I think prismas are worth the money even if they do break. But I did a little test between prismas, crayola brand, and a full wax brand of pencils. The crayolas are awfully close to the prismas. The only issue is that there are limited colors but they may be a good option if you don't need the color range. Here is the test: Gallery at Splitcoaststampers
Yep - I've been using Prisma colors for over 20 years, and have always had this problem with certain pencils. I guessed it was a matter of them being dropped, but just accepted the problem because I love the pencils so much.
Than you so much, those who mentioned heating them to fix. I'm going to do that the next time one breaks. Thanks so much for sharing!
I read (in Prismacolor info) that you should use an electric sharpener only the first time (when they have no point at all) and from that point on use a hand held sharpener...something about taking off too much wood and the vibrations shaking any cracks loose.
But yes...if the tin was dropped...many will break.
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You can use baby oil as your blending medium as well. here's a link to an older thread about this. Forums at Splitcoaststampers
Most specifics are in post #42. It's a good alternative, smells good, but you do need a light hand as the oil can bleed through. I find I don't use my prismacolor pencils enough to justify the expense of the gamsol as yet, so this works.
HTH- it's really a fun technique, If you go to the gallery and search under baby oil you will find many fine examples!
Eileen
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You can use baby oil as your blending medium as well. here's a link to an older thread about this. Forums at Splitcoaststampers
Most specifics are in post #42. It's a good alternative, smells good, but you do need a light hand as the oil can bleed through. I find I don't use my prismacolor pencils enough to justify the expense of the gamsol as yet, so this works.
HTH- it's really a fun technique, If you go to the gallery and search under baby oil you will find many fine examples!
Eileen
Wow thanks thats a great tip. One other question.... Do you all reccommend buying just the 48 color prismacolor and then adding extra pencils as you can? the 72 is so expensive.
Wow thanks thats a great tip. One other question.... Do you all reccommend buying just the 48 color prismacolor and then adding extra pencils as you can? the 72 is so expensive.
Hugs
Jaunice
Well, I've had mine for years, and didn't buy them for stamping originally. I got the smallest set I could find, which I think was 12, and then added to them. I'm still adding new colors 4-8 at a time, including replacing ones I use up. Right now I have 93 colors
Well, I've had mine for years, and didn't buy them for stamping originally. I got the smallest set I could find, which I think was 12, and then added to them. I'm still adding new colors 4-8 at a time, including replacing ones I use up. Right now I have 93 colors
I think thats what I will do. Buy the 48 with a 50% coupon and then add to it like you have 4 or so at a time.
Just a suggestion but I use an old eyebrow pencil sharpener for my pencils. It works great because it doesn't cut chunks into the wood. I have an old Mary Kay one that has been a godsend. They now have eyebrow pencils that have the sharpener at the end that I bought and this works great too. Wonderful how the world is full of options.
Just a suggestion but I use an old eyebrow pencil sharpener for my pencils. It works great because it doesn't cut chunks into the wood. I have an old Mary Kay one that has been a godsend. They now have eyebrow pencils that have the sharpener at the end that I bought and this works great too. Wonderful how the world is full of options.
I broke down and bought some goo gone... (in the pen) and 30 prisma colors... I am sooooo excited. woohooo.
I have the same problem trying to sharpen my pencils. I emailed Dick Blick and was told to get an electric sharpener that stops itself when the pencil is sharpened to a point. As for the Prismacolor sharpener, it is awful.
OK... I didnt like using the goo gone... not sure I would be good with the Gamsol either... will a blender pen work as well? I like the idea of getting a dove blender pen that you can replace the tips with. Thanks for all your wonderful tips and help.
I read (in Prismacolor info) that you should use an electric sharpener only the first time (when they have no point at all) and from that point on use a hand held sharpener...something about taking off too much wood and the vibrations shaking any cracks loose.
Interesting. I've not heard this, but it's an interesting point. I love my Prismacolors, and use an electric pencil sharpener. I've got a Panasonic KP-410 and it works wonders with the pencils. It's got suctions on the bottom so it doesn't shake when I use it, which definitely helps.
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PRISMACOLORS
