Encasing Ekho when batch annealing

[helbels]

Hiya

I have found that if I encase Ekho with Effetre 006 I consistently get cracked beads. I cool in annealing bubbles as I batch anneal.

I am pretty sure this is some kind of incompatibility issue as I made several sets the same yesterday - all featuring some kind of silver glass and, as usual, it's all the ekho ones that have broken

Has anyone had a similar issue and if so, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks

[Redhotsal]

Double Helix is often horrible with batch annealing. Effetre is pretty stable compared to your other options. You may have to invest in some of Double Helix's own clear if you want to encase lots. Their strikers tends to be a bit unstable - but Psyche appears to be pretty tolerant of encasing and batch annealing.

[helbels]

Thanks Sal - oddly, every single other Double Helix seems to be fine with me for Batch Annealing - it's only the Ekho which gives me trouble (which is sod's law as it's my favourite).

I might try and get hold of some Aether at some point and see if that makes a difference.

[fionaess]

I've batch annealed with Effetre 06 and Ekho and had no problems......   I always batch and use DH Psyche and Aurae very regularly, and have never had a problem with them

[julieHB]

Just to eliminate any other causes: Is it only Ekho and 006? The reason I ask is that some time ago I had some problems with silver glass - it turned out not to be the clear's fault, but the base glass. I know CIM cobalt blue gave me problems, and I think there are a couple of others who do not like to be encased as well.

I don't batch anneal, but I have found 006 to be the best "economy" clear for encasing silver glass. I have encased ekho many times with no issues.

[helbels]

Ok.. i have to say that the Ekho has always been "over" something else when I've encased.  Perhaps that's the issue.  It's done it before with Amber, and the other day it was over CIM Plum when every bead cracked pretty much instantly when cooled.

I haven't tried it over Ivory, or White, both of which Shalaa says she has no problem with when cooling in a fibre blanket- will give that a go when I'm next on the torch.

All the other DH glass I have is fine under encasement regardless of what I put it on - its just the Ekho that seems to be a tempramental whatnot.

H x

[Redhotsal]

I agree - I have most trouble if it's solid Double Helix that is being encased. If you layer it over something else you can usually get away with it.