Hi,
Hope some nice folks can help me - b4 I pull all of my hair out!
Bought some normal Effetre clear rods, but I'm not a happy bunny, all they do is scum >:(
Tried rejecting the first bit of the rod - no good, cleaned the rods - no good - just getting scum.
I have now read that these cheaper clear rods are prone to this problem, so I could really do with some advice as to the best clear 104coe to use.
I read that vetrofond don't scum, but I can't find anyone who stocks them or have them in stock in the UK.
Any ideas & advice warmly welcome :)
Thanks,
Lou
The best value all rounder is Effetre 006, called crystal clear. It will need cleaning and the end removing, but it is generally pretty good.
Then there is Double Helix Zephyr, which is lovely and much more money.
I like Lauscha clear. It doesn't always place nice with the silver glass, but for regular encasing it's very good.
Vetrofond used to be very good, but it's reputation was tarnished somewhat by some dodgy batches. You probably won't have much luck finding it as Vetrofond have stopped making glass rods.
Hope that helps.
Thank you ever so much Shirley, hopefully I will have some hair left :D
You'll be fine.
I would go for the 006 for most things, get a bit of Zephyr for special bits and save the scummy clear you've got to use as the core of bigger beads that are going to covered with an opaque glass.
Or get Zephyr for everything if you have got the dosh :)
I have just started encased florals, using 006, its really surprisingly clear and a good price too from Tuffnels
I got some Reichenbach clear from someone - ? Tuffnels? it's a lot better than Effetre, no scumming once the one bit is removed and far cheaper than Zephyr which my budget doesn't run to.
Quote from: Blue Box Studio on May 09, 2013, 11:17:50 PM
I got some Reichenbach clear from someone - ? Tuffnels? it's a lot better than Effetre, no scumming once the one bit is removed and far cheaper than Zephyr which my budget doesn't run to.
I'm going to try some of this then too!
Quote from: Enchanted Cobwebs on May 10, 2013, 07:31:15 AM
Quote from: Blue Box Studio on May 09, 2013, 11:17:50 PM
I got some Reichenbach clear from someone - ? Tuffnels? it's a lot better than Effetre, no scumming once the one bit is removed and far cheaper than Zephyr which my budget doesn't run to.
I'm going to try some of this then too!
This is the stuff Soft Crystal Reichenbach 1/8 kilo £3.50. Must order more!
I agree Effetre 006 can be a bit hit and miss but reichenbach is reliably clear and clean! Worth the extra for encasing. :)
Current batch of 006 is pretty clean but Zephyr is definitely worth the price!
Kazx
save your scummy clears by getting some pickling powder from for instance Cooksongold.com. Follow the instructions on the bag, dissolve the pickle in warm water in a tall jar, and stick your glass rod in for an hour or so, then turn them around for another hour. Rinse well. Makes a world of difference! In stead of pickle powder you can use sulphuric acid, 1 part acid to 9 parts warm water (not hot!). Pickle or acid can be used many many times, it just works faster when warm, so either warm it up or be more patient.
I use this on all my transparent glass rods, after they have had a trip in the diswasher to remove dirt, dust and greasy fingers.
Kathe, Denmark
Quote from: KatheL on May 16, 2013, 12:05:31 AM
save your scummy clears by getting some pickling powder from for instance Cooksongold.com. Follow the instructions on the bag, dissolve the pickle in warm water in a tall jar, and stick your glass rod in for an hour or so, then turn them around for another hour. Rinse well. Makes a world of difference! In stead of pickle powder you can use sulphuric acid, 1 part acid to 9 parts warm water (not hot!). Pickle or acid can be used many many times, it just works faster when warm, so either warm it up or be more patient.
I use this on all my transparent glass rods, after they have had a trip in the diswasher to remove dirt, dust and greasy fingers.
Kathe, Denmark
Oo Kathe, I'm gonna try your recommendations - as above :) .......worth a try :)
Let's hear the result! ;-)
Kathe
Well, I havn't tried the pickling powder - but I have put all my clears through the dishwasher even the ones that heavily scummed, and hey presto it seems to have solved the problem :)
So from now on all my rods are going to be given this treatment.
Thanks folks for all your help & advice - now a happy bunny again 8)
Wish I had a dishwasher :(
I was just thinking the same Nik. Wonder if when I go round my friends for dinner later and can sneak some glass in her dishwasher. Do you think she'll notice? ;D
Quote from: Niknaks Designs on May 18, 2013, 02:05:01 PM
Wish I had a dishwasher :(
Hubby bought one just b4 xmas 2012 brand new full size Beko from currys (£199) and its the best investment we have made. Saved so much money on water as it only uses 11.5 litres per full wash - we should have bought one years ago!
You can get around that by washing them in a tub in very hot (60 Celsious) water, and using dish machine powder as detergent. The detergent is important, as it has a very high pH-value, which does things to whatever is deposited on the surface of the glass. Use rubber gloves, it is not hand friendly.
Wash, rinse and dry, and give it a try! ;)
Kathe, Denmark
Ooh thanks for that Kathe will have to give that a try.
We used to have a dishwasher but when we moved the last 2 houses we have had we can't fit one in. I hate not having one especially as a childminder and with 2 small children it makes a lot of washing up. I have said that the next house we rent/buy will have to have one or space for one.
lol Sarah I bet she wont, I am sure I could talk my in-laws into letting me use there's ;)
Ooh, great tip about the dishwasher! Apparently they are good for cleaning up mucky car parts too... I couldn't bear to be without one! Washing up is one of my pet hates, along with ironing. :-\
When we first moved in here 10+ years ago we couldn't afford one, but within the first year we'd saved up and bought a tabletop one on ebay, and only upgraded to a full sized one a couple of years back.
A tabletop dishwasher might be a good solution for those without space for a 'proper' one as they are only a little bigger than a large microwave, and it doesn't even need to go in the kitchen - anywhere with plumbing would be ok. They don't really manage pots and pans, which even if they fit still come out a bit greasy, but are great for the day to day cups, plates, crockery etc. and would probably be pretty good for glass too!