Frit-Happens !

Lampwork => Common Problems => Topic started by: cazz on June 03, 2010, 10:11:50 PM

Title: pulling stringers
Post by: cazz on June 03, 2010, 10:11:50 PM
HI.
can anyone tell me where i am going wrong?
when i try pulling a stringer they are end up thinner than i want,am i pulling too soon?
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: SilverGems89 on June 03, 2010, 10:18:11 PM
im rubbish at pulling anything but really thin stringer but i know the principles of pulling thicker stringer, wait longer and pull slower!
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: ♥♥Tan♥♥ on June 03, 2010, 10:20:01 PM
Yup, just pulling too soon and a little bit quickly. When you heat your blob, come out of the flame and let it cool just a bit and then start pulling slowly, you will feel when the glass starts to firm up, then you can pull a bit firmer and faster
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: helenfc on June 03, 2010, 10:21:07 PM
make sure its out of the flame frist, sounds dumb but i tried to do that before figuring out it doesnt work.... ::)
also try using a punty instead of pliers for a thicker stringer, that seems to work for me :)
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: julieHB on June 03, 2010, 10:21:21 PM
Agree with Gemma and Tan  ;D Also, remember that if you want quite a thick stringer you need to melt a lot more glass, otherwise it won't go very far  ::)
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: cazz on June 03, 2010, 10:22:36 PM
I  do tend to pull them fast i think im worried it will cool down before im finished
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: ScarletLeonard on June 03, 2010, 10:24:07 PM
When I take my gather out of the flame I stick it onto my punty then count to 5 for the stringer thickness I like to work with, count to 8 for a 'commercial stringer' and to 3 for fine ones for scroll work.

That's what works for me, still doesn't always go to plan but the counting helps I usually end up with a semi decent sized rod of the thickness I want and a thicker bit at the end.

Scarlet xx
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: SilverGems89 on June 03, 2010, 10:24:47 PM
Quote from: helenfc on June 03, 2010, 10:21:07 PM
also try using a punty instead of pliers for a thicker stringer

Helen i had been thinking about doing something like this but with Maria Louisa's chopsticks...i will have to give it a go!
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: cazz on June 03, 2010, 10:29:55 PM
thanks for the help,

i like the idea of counting think i will try that.......
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: Magpie on June 03, 2010, 11:16:32 PM
Practice with white. It's easy to see when it's cooling as it goes from clear to white. Also you can always use white stringer.
Title: Re: pulling stringers
Post by: Redhotsal on June 03, 2010, 11:16:51 PM
Don't pull it while it's glowing - and if it's a white/ivory stringer don't pull until it has turned back to opaque from clear. You have to count up quite a few seconds - don't panic, you have more time than you think - and what's the worst that can happen if you leave it too long? You just end up with a very thick and very short stringer so just reheat it and try again.  :)