I squeeze them in my big shop vise after soaking for 24+ hours. Of course I soaked them in cold milk in the fridge, I left some out to room temp to soak. They are in the vise now.. If you put them in milk then heat it in the microwave they soak up the milk faster. I actually had 1 blow up to about 3/8 inch. The milk got too hot. I have been experimenting to get the best combination for playability!