my clear goes brown

[fionaess]

Hi
This is a very basic question and Im probably not using the right 'language'    But when I do what I call 'encase' my clear goes kind of brownish... I am using a pack of effetre from Martin (the multi beginner pack - what else  )  I am obviously doing something wrong, because sometimes it is clear.. but I have no idea what.  Im afraid my 'which part of the flame do I stick it in' is a bit (no, be honest, verrry) hit and miss.
Thank you if anyone can suggest what I should do.  The answer is probably 'learn to walk before you run' 

Fiona

[Bumpy Beads]

Hi Fiona  - are you sure you're actually using clear, and not one of the striking colours? The striking colours look clear, or maybe have slight yellow hue, but change to another colour once the bead has cooled and then been re-heated. Are all of your rods labelled?

[afina]

Fiona, what torch do you use?

[fionaess]

Hot Head torch here on bulk propane.. sorry I should have said.

[fionaess]

No,none of my rods are labelled - they just came from Tuffnells - mixed lot of transparent - they look clear though.

[turnedlight]

I have had that on and off since going bulk - I think the propane might be sootier than mapp. I don't know what to do about it though..

[fionaess]

I wonder - maybe another sort of clear - im using effetre.
Oh your hearts on etsy are really lovely - is it a mould you use?

[afina]

Yes, this is common with effetre clear, a HH and propane. Try another clear, maybe vetro or lauscha. You can still use your effetre clear for basebeads which you encase in opaque colours.

[fionaess]

Thank you - I will get some lauscha or vetro when I get some more glass 

Fiona

[Redhotsal]

You're burning the glass - Effetre is quite tricky to use with a HH. To prove this you might want to turn the torch down quite a bit when you encase and work as high in the flame as you can manage. It will be dreadfully slow but you should end up with clear glass. Keep the glass moving around - don't concentrate the heat in one specific place for any amount of time.
Frankly, it's worth sticking with the Effetre - even though some of the other glasses - like Lauscha or Vetrofond are more forgiving, it's always better to learn with discipline and patience rather than looking for an easier route. This will make you a better and more patient lampworker.

[fionaess]

Thanks Sal -  ok - right at the end of the yellow flame - and slow and steady.  I think today Im going to do some transparent beads - no decoration or other colours - just spacers - to get them uniform.  Its so easy as a newbie to get carried away with adding bits and bobs of colour and stuff.  I have found that in my 2 days of torching    that the transparents I have used are stiffer than the opaques - and I find them harder to use.   Are all the effetre  transparents like the clear - do they go brown if you over heat them?
Fiona

[afina]

No glass really likes being over heated, but some colours are more forgiving than others. Some opaques (like my orange and red ones) also turn irk-brown when over heated.
And yes, the transparent ones usually are stiffer than the opaques. I therefore use transparent colours for the base of triangle beads, striped beads and pleat beads.

[fionaess]

Thanks Afina
Its too easy for me to get impatient and just put it in the hottest part of the flame and twirl and leave it in the flame until everything has melted    So today will be a 'controlled playtime'  The only problem with the flame is that when I wear my special glasses I can't see the end of the flame.  So I kind of peer over the tops every so often 
Fiona

[Sal]

Sounds like you are having exactly the same problem as I did-Sal put me right then too (thanks Sal!). I was burning all my clear. Now I have my HH turned down as low as possible without it going out and work higher in the flame-it works. Takes an age but keeps your clear nice! They say patience is a virtue.....

[fionaess]

Sal - when you say 'higher in the flame' do you mean higher in the blue flame or higher in the yellow flame - sorry for the dumb questions - but I am so wet behind the ears I need to wear a towel over my shoulders 
Fiona