Double Helix on a hot head

[AnnaSpanna]

Can I get the fab effects of double helix glass on my hot head torch? Or do I have to do something with the flame (ie covering the holes or something else that is probably going to burn me!!!!)

Thanks

[afina]

Hi!
Yes, if you use the reducing glasses from DH and temporarily cover the holes (no need to burn yoursef - use a cotton cloth!). You won't have any luck with the striking colors, though.

[chocolateteapot]

if i remeber rightly i made  a tinfoil collar and put it around the lower bit on the hot head that has holes around it and pulled it  tight with pliers when i wanted to reduce cos it stopped the oxygen being sucked in and reduced a treat. It goes quiet when u do it so u know its working. Then just whizz it and out of the flame. xx

[AnnaSpanna]

cool - thanks for that. I want to try some but didn't want to waste my money on the rods if it wasn't going to work! The tinfoil sounds like a far better plan than using my fingers! I might even brave posting some results in the future if they are any good. Dead excited at the thought of trying it now 

[Katiequiggle]

I've got a towel that I lay over my lap usually, for wiping my hands on etc. and I usually close the holes off by holding that around the holes of the torch.  Make sure whatever you use is dry though or it will burn you.

[helbels]

I use the strap of my leather apron to wrap round the holes - works a treat!

[Amber]

An oven glove does the trick! 

I found that the best DH glasses to use on a HH were Triton, Aurae and Kronos. So easy to get the lovely effects!

[Veebee]

I'm a tin foil girl myself  (also useful for avoiding alien mind control I find...)
Aurae, Triton and Ekho have worked for me so far. I haven't tried gaia yet but want to.
It might be worth considering the kiln strikers too, Pandora and Nyx. They don't need special treatment at the torch, but will take some trial and error to find the right firing schedule ( Martin reccommends 4 hours for Pandora  )
Most importantly, though, you absolutely must post some piccies when you're done 

[helbels]

I wouldn't recommend Khaos, Aion2 or Terranova on the Hothead - have only managed baby poo colours from both so far.

Aurae, Triton, Gaia & Psyche all work a treat :-)

[Shirley]

Nyx is a kiln striker?

[helbels]

This is from the Double Helix website:

Nyx is not just a new color but a new kind of color. Nyx will reduce to a mirror-like or multi-colored luster, as you'd expect from a Double Helix color, but Nyx does something else! Though the rods start out black as Night, Nyx will kiln strike through a steady fade of Midnight Blue, Lapis, Peacock, Turquoise, and Sky Blue. You can determine the coloration through annealing time, temperature and placement in your kiln.

Tips: We recommend kiln striking a rod of Nyx to estimate the kiln striking time at your annealing temperature. Our kiln striking tests were perfomed between 950 and 970 degrees F. One hour annealing time produced Midnight blue, while Sky Blue tones developed over three to four hours. Higher annealing temperatures push the Sky Blue to a greenish color. Encasing may alter kiln struck color.

Encasing heavily reduced Nyx can produce a mother-of-pearl effect. Speckled and swirled organic effects can be achieved by working the glass very hot before application. Excessive reduction followed by kiln striking can produce earthy caramel tones.

[Shirley]

fair enough

[helenfc]

ooh that sounds exciting....so its a reducing glass when you work it in the flame, but once you anneal it, its going to change one way or the other? has anyone used it and had lovely results? or even better pictures? I'm on a hothead and would LOVE to try DH but a bit cautious too...

[AnnaSpanna]

Ok, so now I'm terrified! I've got a mixed pack from martin and was going to try them out really and those that don't work with the HH I will give to my mum as she has a minor with oxycon. It's gonna be a few weeks before I get back to my torch as I'm writing this from a hospital bed having just had knee surgery yesterday. When I do get back to it I will most definitely post my piccies - both the good the bad and the ugly so stand by!!!!!!

Thanks for the advice and sit tight