Pinging vetrofond!

[garishglobes]

I get out a new rod of Vetro odd glass. I waft it gently in the vicinity of the flame. Ping! An inch flies off. I try warming it. Ping! I try holding as far out from the top of the flame as my arm will reach. Ping! I get fed up and stick it in the hot part. Ping, ping, ping! Eventually, I manage to find a bit of rod which melts and start winding it round the mandrel. Ping!!!!!! Now I have half a bead and 2 inches of rod on the mandrel! If I'm very, very lucky I can get this wound round without more pinging off.
I know Vetro odds are a bit shocky, but even with warm rods the amount of rather large frit I have is getting silly! What do you do to avoid this?!

[Kay]

I got a great tip from beverley Hicklin after half a rod of odd pinged everywhere. She pops it in the kiln at annealing temp for 10 mins, with lots hanging out so you can hold it after you have taken it out, worked without shocking

[Vicki]

I had that with pale advocado, I never got to use any of it  I do keep the odd rod on top of my kiln if i think i might use it, it helps a little

[Amber]

I know that some are worse than others - had to stop using Orange Dreamsicle before it took my eye out! As I don't have a kiln, I resort to warming rods between my thighs (!), so any more practical tips would be welcome! 

[Donna@Rockin' Beads]

I keep mine upright in a jar on my workbench right under my spotlights and that seems to help quite a bit. It seems to be the only warm bit in a very cold garage/studio.   

[Shirley]

Orange dreamsicle - orange nightmaresickle!

[Amber]

Orange dreamsicle - orange nightmaresickle!

[Kaz]

I know that some are worse than others - had to stop using Orange Dreamsicle before it took my eye out! As I don't have a kiln, I resort to warming rods between my thighs (!), so any more practical tips would be welcome! 

Like dusky maidens with cigars???
Kaz

[SueP]

I lie mine on the work bench under the torch which warms it up but a still get a surprise usually when getting complacent on say the third or fourth bead into a rod - a gentle crack and there's a partially wound bead with an inch of rod on the mandrel

[beads-on-toast]

yes i have this too and it SUCKS!!!

Rhubarb?? pudding only, rod form is hopeless, sanme for a rod of terra i had, the others have been ok...

it has put me off using them

[Redhotsal]

I resort to warming rods between my thighs (!), so any more practical tips would be welcome! 

Good heavens - just how hot are your thighs?? 

[Sarah]

yes i have this too and it SUCKS!!!

Rhubarb?? pudding only, rod form is hopeless, sanme for a rod of terra i had, the others have been ok...

it has put me off using them

LOL Anna - I had the same with the rod of rhubarb in my mixed pack - there was rhubarb frit all over the floor. But I tried a rod from Hazel & it was fine. The odds vary so much from rod to rod. I think that's part of the reason I like then 'though I have picked up a few scars in interesting places.

As for rods between your thighs - I think we might be in the wrong section 

[dinah46]

I have a rod of silver plum which explodes every half inch or so, am trying to turn it into stringers bit by bit but I have to build up courage first

[Les]

My marbled avocado has made me very nervous this morning, I can tell you !!!! It is soooo temperamental

[Vicki]

OoooOOOooooh Les has been torching....hooray