:)Been in shed again,and been trying to pull some stringers ,i normally use factory made,they are very skinny can anyone help thanks Parin.
If yours are coming out to skinny then you just need to let your blob of glass form a little more of a skin before you pull, the slower you pull the fatter the stringer
Another tip, when you pull out the first couple of inches and have that about right, blow in it so it cools a little more then you have a guide to pull to and it stops that section pulling out any more.
I usually count so that I can duplicate the result I want at a later time plus if you pull at the count of 4 and don't like the thickness, you can add or subtract seconds to suit.
Use a 2mm mandrel, poke it into the gather, heat, wait and pull slowly to start with. I find you can get thicker stringers.
Hi Parin.
I've just remembered Laura Sparling (http://www.beadsbylaura.co.uk/index.htm) has a fab Youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/user/beadsbylaura) available showing how to pull stringer if that helps at all?
But yes, as everyone's said, the cooler the gather and the slower you pull, the thicker the stringer will be. Good luck!
HP x
I find it easier to get thicker stringers (esp in colours like white) if I use 2 rods of the glass, melt a ball and use each one as a handle to pull.
You have to count for a lot longer than you think before you start to pull on the gather. If you are pulling white stringer for example, wait until the gather has turned back to white before you pull.
and that.
possibly the most important bit!
;DThanks everyone will be back in shed this afternoon.