How to split perler beads into rings

[cindy]

The one I got from Walgreens was far better tha the one I got from Target. The blade is sharper and you do not need a lot of pressure.

I hve to cut very hard tablets for Cali, this works great for that one as well, even if the pills are scored, often they do not break easily.

[cindy]

I picked up a tub of perler beads at WalMart 1000 for under 10 dollars, filled with all sorts of colors. For other colors I picked up perler kits in the clearance section at a craft store.

The only finches of mine that perlers can't be used on a young owls...some slip them off. I have ones from L&M for the owls, the rest get perlers.

[kheather]

Great idea thanks for sharing, I use the beads on my canary's...but wasnt sure I wanted to put them fullsize on the finches...problem solved! Thank you!

[cindy]

You're welcome Heather!

[Oshtay]

This is a great idea. I just placed an order with Martie here on the forum. I'm getting the newer Narrow Bands offered. 2 packs of multicolored narrow bands was $6 plus $2 shipping. I would have spent $8 in gas to go buy the supplies to do it myself..lol. I ordered this morning, and I already have shipping confirmation! Thanks Martie!

[cindy]

I assume you are talking about Martie's topic thread...http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19203

Separate threads, same idea! One is do it yourself!

I paid under 10 for 1000 (split those you get 2000) buy a splitter for few dollars and it saves in shipping costs and multiple times ordering and waiting for the order. I have to many birds to be ordering small packs each time I need them. It would cost for me way more to reorder mutiple colors and times than putting out the cost to go out once to buy the supplies. His concept might work well for small amounts of birds. I would go broke reordering and would rather put that money torwards other supplies!!!!

[Oshtay]

You're exactly right Cindy. That's an incredible deal for you and the amount you need

[cindy]

More cost effective to say the least!

[Oshtay]

I apologize Cindy. I occasionaly miss a thread or two. I'll see if a moderator can move my post to the appropriate thread. I hate to step on anyone's toes.

[cindy]

No need to apologize....it is the same concept...some only need a few and may find ordering from Martie a great idea...other like myself have to many and would need to buy so many it would be more cost effective to do it themselves....good to show case both ways!!!

Hey Martie....do I get a commission for advertising for you??????

[CandoAviary]

Perler beads are super cheap where ever you buy them compared to the club bands or standard finch bands sold from banding companies... whether plastic or metal. I don't use the perler beads due to the softness and size.
From my experience with both the full sized and cut in half perler bands the parrot finches easily remove them so the the identification became useless. They sometimes slide down over the foot..as zebras were picking at them and have actually cut off the circulation of the foot resulting in loss toes and worse I only used them a short time and saw that the damage and the fact many came off so I could not identify the parrot finches.... was just not worth the savings. The socieities were also masters at removing the soft bands.
No offense to anyone selling or using these bands but everyone must be aware that these were created for crafts and not for finch banding. Though many use them without problems, I have had several unpleasant incidences. Most finch bands created for finches come in a wide array of colors and are a firm plastic not easily removed. They are also a smaller diameter that rarely will slip over the foot... though I have had this happen to some of the smaller species of finches. The plastic colored split bands run about $ .20 to $ .35 per band...
I can see why many would want to go the cheaper route and many do and have no troubles but felt I wouldn't be doing the birds a good service if I did not share my experiences.

[cindy]

Candace, I have not had any issues....again it is a personal choice. What is rather amusing is you were earlier in the topic directing folks to Martie's link to purchase them and now you are saying they are bad to use.

[DanteD716]

Yes, personal choise. I have had no problems with them, except are a bit too large for the waxbills

[cindy]

Dante in those cases as it stated at the start of the thread ~ I order from L&M for my owls. Funny on some of the top zebra sites you see perler beads along with closed bands.

[DanteD716]

I should order some then. And Roy has some pearler beads split on some of his zebras

Bottom picture, some: http://efinch.com/species/ffzeb.htm

Looks like the hen in the first picture is related to the ss/FF cock in the link above http://efinch.com/species/zebra.htm