I am getting rhough my clear at a rate of knots (probably because I am obsessed with spine beads and encasing everything that moves!). Tuffnells have run out of 006 (I know OM has it, but I have my monthly order to go in and there are things on it that OM doesn't have but Tuffnells do!). I have used vetrofond before and found it pretty good, I hear that the DH one is very good but it will break the bank. I also understand that Laucha is excellent, but again a bit on the expensive side. Should I go for the Vetro or is there another one that anyone would recommend? (I know this subject comes up again and again but couldn't really find an answer in other posts, so apologise). Thanks for your help. :)
Sweetie, I can spare you half a pound, so long as you return it when Tuffers has it back in stock. Check with them they're not due a shipment though ;) If you want it, drop me a pm and I'll post out tomorrow.
I really like Reichenbach clear, in fact its the only one I use. Not 100% sure how it reacts with all DH colours but I haven't had a problem.
Tuffers sell it in thinker rods too. And have two different types of clear I think. (Haven't kept up with the clears for a long time) I'm pretty sure Laucha clear hates DH/silver glass but someone will know better I'm sure.
I'm staying well clear of DH clear because of the very same reason :D
I have always been very pleased with both Vetrofond and Effetre 006. If you are in a hurry to get Effetre, I have lots of Effetre 006 available in my Glassworks France shop.
I never thought I'd say this but Zephyr is worth every penny!
Kazx
006 is due in any day....honest :-*
Em xx
p.s @ Kaz ;D I'm so pleased you like Zephyr Kaz, cuz I was unsure about it too when I spotted the price lol
Quote from: Kaz on April 02, 2012, 04:34:36 PM
I never thought I'd say this but Zephyr is worth every penny!
Kazx
:) :) I'll have to put my prices up though!
Thank you as ever Sue for your so kind offer, you really are a wonderful woman and thank you too Kathy. I do have a few rods of the thicker 006 but it is too thick for spine beads and my thick stringer is just not thick enough, got into a terrible mess with this the other day. Going to put my thinking cap on for a mo and have a cuppa (they have also run out of light turquoise and I have a commision for something with this! I try to be such a good girl and only do an order once a month and just have to hope that things don't run out, he ho - think I am going to go for CIM pulsar instead of the light turquoise). xxxxxx
Quote from: Emma @ Tuffnell Glass on April 02, 2012, 04:38:53 PM
006 is due in any day....honest :-*
Em xx
p.s @ Kaz ;D I'm so pleased you like Zephyr Kaz, cuz I was unsure about it too when I spotted the price lol
Maybe I can wait then, I can't get back to the torch for a few days anyway with one thing and another. Like to try the Zephyr though, if al these markets go well this month, maybe I will treat myself! :) :)
Reichenbach soft Crystal clear for me too...not as expensive as Zephyr, comes in a small size rod so you don't use loads of it, and doesnt scum if you don't overheat it. Try it Lotti .
Quote from: Kaz on April 02, 2012, 04:34:36 PM
I never thought I'd say this but Zephyr is worth every penny!
Kazx
I was just going to say the same thing . I have not used 006 since I used zephyr
If anyone is interested I have quite a bit of 006 and Reichenbach clear that I'd be happy to swap for something at Flame Off.. probably about 30 rods in total. I'm another Zephyr convert!
Quote from: Princess Peggy on April 02, 2012, 05:20:59 PM
Reichenbach soft Crystal clear for me too...not as expensive as Zephyr, comes in a small size rod so you don't use loads of it, and doesnt scum if you don't overheat it. Try it Lotti .
Cheers dear, might give it a go, always useful to have anther one to try (I have been known to overheat clears, but am learning to be a bit more careful about it!). :)
Lottie I can spare you some rods, if you are desperate.
i have both 006 and 004 crystal clear is there a reason not to use the 004 for encaseing?
Helen - soft clear or normal reichenbach crystal?
thin rods or thick?
if its thin rods of normal crystal I would love it please
I have not touched my zephyr yet for fear I will fall in love and not look back!
crackers I know. its not that I was unhappy with the reichenbach or 006 though.
just that I'm not getting on with the fat rods of crystal that they insist on producing.
Quote from: chipperpottery on April 02, 2012, 06:21:54 PM
Lottie I can spare you some rods, if you are desperate.
Ah, thank you that's very kind of you :). Think I am going to try the Reichenback and see how I get on as it has such glowing reports.
Tish, you can use 004 for encasing of course but 006 and the others that we are talking about on here tend to be clearer and give a more 'crystal' finish than 004, it depends on the effect that you want. :)
Are there any advantages to using 'soft'? Encasing is my nightmare...
Soft melts quicker, so it is easier to get enough molten glass if you are using a slower torch such as a hothead.
Hi Madeline
I have 7 full rods of Crystal Clear skinny rods, and 5 full rods of Crystal Clear which are 8mm. I also have another 5 rods of skinny Crystal Clear and 1 fatter one that about 2/3 rod size (I'm not very good at using a part used rod before starting a new one). I'd be happy to swap for anything you like - Effetre, CIM whatever. PM me if you'd like them.
For anyone else who's interested, I have 11 full rods of Effetre 006 and 4 2/3 rods if anyone wants to swap for those
Helen x
004 is bit pants Tish. OK for practising but if you want to use the beads for jewellery or to sell them you need something a bit better.
Madeline - treat youself and crack open the Zephyr! Because you're worth it!
Kazx
Quote from: Jellybean on April 02, 2012, 06:36:00 PM
Are there any advantages to using 'soft'? Encasing is my nightmare...
You would live zephyr Emma its soft and smooth :)
Quote from: MangoBeads on April 02, 2012, 10:25:45 PM
Quote from: Jellybean on April 02, 2012, 06:36:00 PM
Are there any advantages to using 'soft'? Encasing is my nightmare...
You would live zephyr Emma its soft and smooth :)
:) I've come to love too many things and lust after many more ;D
Lotti if you're not sorted by the weekend let me know, and I can send some up to Bude with mum. I have more than I need right now...
Quote from: puffin on April 02, 2012, 05:21:16 PM
Quote from: Kaz on April 02, 2012, 04:34:36 PM
I never thought I'd say this but Zephyr is worth every penny!
Kazx
I was just going to say the same thing . I have not used 006 since I used zephyr
To be honest, although I do love Zephyr and it spoils you, it is prohibitively expensive if you encase virtually every bead that you make, as I do. I bought two bundles of it, which cost me about thirty quid each and when the last lot ran out, I honestly could not justify the expense, when I had about 3lb of 006 just gathering dust, so I went back to it.
Admittedly, it took some getting used to after Zephyr, i.e. scrupulously cleaning each rod and making sure you nip off the tip before using (which did result in some ruined beads and frustration, because I had got out of the habit of doing this with Zephyr) but after that, I have to say that there aint a whole lot of difference in the finished product.
I will probably buy some more at some stage, but I think that 006 is a great clear glass.
Quote from: Kaz on April 02, 2012, 04:34:36 PM
I never thought I'd say this but Zephyr is worth every penny!
Kazx
Yep, I'm in that camp too! ;D
I tend to stick with 006 for the most part but use Zephyr for encasing my silver glass beads. I did try another - forget what it was but had a terrible time of it fracturing. Looks like you have enough offers of 006 no ;D
Just a tip for using the thin rods of Crystal clear..wipe the scummy end of the rod off near the tip of your mandrel before you start using it to encase, like an extra little bead, and then rather than overheat the very tip of the rod which will give tiny bubbles as it's so thin and melts so quickly, just keep it in the flame about a cm back from the tip, and it should just flow. I'm no expert at encasing and still get plenty of bubbles, which I don't mind unless they're huge, I've put off trying Zephyr because it sounds a bit too 'inert', rather characterless, but I'd like to see some results at FO.
Lot of 'tips' in this post but it might 'tip' someone into having a go.
Zephyr gets on beads quickly, smoothly, less bubbles and scumless. Less wasted beads! I'm a sucker for it too. ::)
Lottie I have a stash of 006 if you want a few rods to get you through and u can give me back once it is back in stock? Just let me know I am back in the Studio again and 'open' most afternoons now x
were do u buy zephre
Thanks Jennie, I could have come by on Thurs, and it would have been nice to see you (am collecting my banner from Wizard), but have ordered the Reichenbach as am keen on the idea of the thinner rods (will give it a try anyway). xxxxxx ;D