Black - in every sense of the word

[rocky]

Having had a few days of frustration at the torch I decided last night that the best place for that and my oxycon was through the window and down the garden as far as I could throw it. However, after a nice long chat with my DH I have returned today with renewed vigour. Not much more success but that is OK. I'm a newbie after all

During my thrashings, I have come across a funny thing. Black always seems to 'fizz' or boil or something similar. It always seems pitted. I am working it so cool I am nearly in the hallway, but I still see little 'sparks' as I heat it. Is it simply a case of patience and keeping it really cool?

Any advice is welcome.

Dx

[flowerjasper]

are you using silver black? or black?
silver black is well known for fizzing, pitting and doing other odd things 
if you arent having problems with other colours it may be silver black
sandy

[rocky]

I have had a quick check Sandy, just incase. Its Vetrefond 064 black.

I will remember that about silver black now

[flowerjasper]

thats really odd!
i swapped my silver black as i couldnt get on with it,
have you tried another rod?
there was a thread the other day with people saying they had rods  popping that normally dont,
the general thought was warmer weather oxycons work better, hotter flame...
good luck,
sandy

[rocky]

Hmmm - I never considered the weather. I will try another rod too. And I'll clean it - just incase.

Thanks for the tips

[stuwaudby]

Afraid it is the vetrofond batch. I bought some from Off Mandrel a few months ago and had to bin it because of the fizzing. No matter how I had the flame it was unworkable. Stick to effetre black, it's one of their easiest colours to work.

Stu

[sparrow]

By comparison, I had an Effetre black batch in the past that did exactly the same - frustrating!

[paintboxcrafts]

I use Cim Tuxedo and Cim Hades, and have had no problems. Hades does that cool webbing thing.

[Sulis (Hazel)]

Hi Deanne,

Can you play with some other colours for a bit instead? Sometimes I get really disheartened with something and I find it helps if I go off and do something else that I know is generally OK before I come back to the original thing.

Where in the country are you? Are there any open days going that you could get along to for some free advice and demos?

Hazel  xx

[Trudi]

perhaps you need to contact the place where you bought it from!

[rocky]

It's OK - the original problem was 3 months ago. I am certain it is silver black and I have plenty of eff black now instead, which behaves itself

Thanks for all the tips, folks. It sounds like I wasn't going mad after all (at least no madder than I am anyway )

[squirsygirl]

I use Cim Tuxedo and Cim Hades, and have had no problems. Hades does that cool webbing thing.

What cool webbing thing...?

K

[Hamilton Taylor]

Afraid it is the vetrofond batch. I bought some from Off Mandrel a few months ago and had to bin it because of the fizzing. No matter how I had the flame it was unworkable. Stick to effetre black, it's one of their easiest colours to work.

Stu

Hi Stu,
The current batch of vetrofond 064 is absolutely fine.
We did have a problem with a previous batch, and have offered replacement glass for anyone who received the duff stuff...

Sean

[Pat from Canvey]

Hi Kirsty
This cool webby thing
One very fine stringer wound around the bead and heated till the black spreads as far as you want.

[paintboxcrafts]

Yes, that cool webbing thing! Thanks Pat