cracking beads ??????????

[Trudi]

Grrrrrrr

i made some lovley beads  - nothing too fancy, but they had a nice effect - and then they cracked! And I don't know why!!

they are on a plain effetre topaz - with terra swirled on top - great colour reactions!! Pressed in a lentil and cooled in a blanket (didn't have the kiln on as I was only having a quick play!).

I made 4 - and I noticed at first one had cracked while the others were fine - I thougt perhaps I'd let it get too cold. Then I've looked at the other beads today and now they're all cracked! Some of them have an almost stright crack - others seem to curve (not sure if this is because of the press) - very strange as the glass should be compatible!!

Has anyone else had the same with terra??

I'm guessing it's a compatability crack, but I'm not 100% sure!

[Dragonfire Glass]

I'd say cooling cracks but then I'm no expert!

[Vicki]

I'd say cooling cracks but then I'm no expert!

thats what i think too, the cooling cracks thing, not Colette not being an expert

[garishglobes]

I'd say, if it goes straight down the mandrel the chances are its a cooling crack. If it goes off at angles, it could be compatibility. I wasn't aware Terra ever suffered from particular compatibility problems, but could very (very!) easily be wrong..
Either way, its frustrating for you, what with Terra being scarce and gorgeous and all...

[LittleMoo]

I find that a lot of my pressed beads crack if I don't use the kiln. I found that having the base of my press resting on my torch top marver helped as it keeps the chill off the press.

[Kaz]

I almost never get cracks even when using vermiculite. But I had a bead crack right in half (actually on its way to a customer ) this week even after being annealed. I suspect that this very very cold weather may have something to do with it. Are you fully flame annealing before putting them to bed?
Kazx

[Shirley]

lentils always crack for me unless they go straight in the kiln. Always.

[Trudi]

Thanks for the replies - I don't normally have an issue with lentils cracking even if they cool in the blanket (and they weren't big lentils either)! I do flame anneal - perhaps I was just unlucky as it has been very very cold!! I'll try again next time I have the kiln on!! They were nice beads too!!! I just didn't wan't to make another set in the kiln only to have them crack on me!!

I find that a lot of my pressed beads crack if I don't use the kiln. I found that having the base of my press resting on my torch top marver helped as it keeps the chill off the press.

Good tip - I sometimes waft the handled part of the press in the flame before I start to get it warm - and I usually press each bead a few times too - so the press does tens to stay warmish!