Glass problems.

lyzzydee · March 26, 2011, 12:10:49 PM

This morning I have tried to use Effetre soft white, its been a nightmare. The first rod just broke, spat and left me with just enough to make one bead. That bead has now exploded as well!!
I warme the glass as I do with every rod, and can't beleive that this has been so volatile, I am a bit frightened to use the rest of the bundle now!! Am I doing something wrong or is it plain bad luck???

helbels · March 26, 2011, 12:12:36 PM

Hiya

It's not just you. The current batch of Effetre white is a nightmare - very very shocky. There have been a few posts about it on here. The only other thing you can try is to anneal your rods by sticking them in the kiln, or just persist. But it's not your luck, or anything you are doing wrong. xx

Shirley · March 26, 2011, 12:26:20 PM

Hang on, if it's soft white then you mean anise, not the regular, presumably?

Anise is always a bit tricky. If it's the regular effetre then I'd contact your supplier, perhaps?

Barley · March 26, 2011, 01:08:10 PM

QuoteIt's not just you. The current batch of Effetre white is a nightmare - very very shocky. There have been a few posts about it on here. The only other thing you can try is to anneal your rods by sticking them in the kiln, or just persist. But it's not your luck, or anything you are doing wrong. xx

Glad you said that - I am having a mare with it, so nice to know it's not just my ineptitude

lyzzydee · March 26, 2011, 01:40:40 PM

its effetre soft white 591208 not the anise variety. I am quite new at this and I was really shocked it went everywhere and worse the bit that actually melted then flew off the rod and landed in my lap (made a nice burn on my funky red welders apron!!) I think I will let Tuffnels know, it could me off for life!!

awrylemming · March 26, 2011, 01:46:11 PM

Effetre white, frit on a stick, and the reason I changed over to peace. I have about a pound of the stuff gathering dust - mind you, it's excellent for twisties since it shocks off onto the paddle, don't even need to melt it off

Everything has it's place, eh?

lyzzydee · March 26, 2011, 01:53:15 PM

Yes everything does have its place, as long as its not red hot in my lap!!!!

helbels · March 26, 2011, 02:14:50 PM

Anice is ALWAYS very shocky, which is why most peeps give it a wide berth tbh!

Les · March 26, 2011, 02:58:49 PM

Anice white = Frit on a stick

Redhotsal · March 26, 2011, 02:59:44 PM

The white probably has very small air bubbles trapped in it. As the rod is heated these expand and cause the glass to shock. Even if you anneal these rods the problem will persist as you won't get rid of the air bubbles. I have the same problem with some thickish rods of Effetre ivory.
You can however, preheat these rods by ramping them up in your kiln - that'll make them much easier to use

lyzzydee · March 26, 2011, 03:20:29 PM

So does this effect some colours more than others?? Is there a stable white that I can use?? Does it vary batch to batch??

I feel a bit peeved as I don't have a kiln I have to batch anneal, so I can't heat them up beyond putting them in my george foreman or oven!!

I bought some white stringers from Tuffnells and they are fine they melt beautifully, perhaps a little too fast, but I have used them to make some little spacer beads.

I think today I have made my first set of beads (as opposed to lots of different ones!!)

Kalorlo · March 26, 2011, 03:23:57 PM

Quote from: lyzzydee on March 26, 2011, 01:40:40 PM
its effetre soft white 591208 not the anise variety. I am quite new at this and I was really shocked it went everywhere and worse the bit that actually melted then flew off the rod and landed in my lap (made a nice burn on my funky red welders apron!!) I think I will let Tuffnels know, it could me off for life!!

208 is anise, aka soft white. Normal Effetre white is 204.

Other than that, yes it varies by batch. My 204 from a while ago is just fine, and my anise is actually mostly fine too.

awrylemming · March 26, 2011, 03:34:01 PM

CIM Peace is what I use, I shove it straight into the flame, not shocky at all. A bit stiffer than the eff white though, not sure if I would have liked it so much on the hothead.

Lotti · March 26, 2011, 04:32:22 PM

I have just been using some of my anise white and didn't have any problems with it, bead is rubbish but the glass was OK!

Must be a batch thing to an extent?

TracyJayne · March 26, 2011, 05:11:57 PM

Quote from: awrylemming on March 26, 2011, 03:34:01 PM
CIM Peace is what I use, I shove it straight into the flame, not shocky at all. A bit stiffer than the eff white though, not sure if I would have liked it so much on the hothead.

Peace is what I use, on a hothead, with no problems.