Raking glass problems

[mel]

I dont seem to have perfected raking over the years. What's the secret to fine raking without distorting either the shape of the bead or anything you've already done. I tend to pull too much glass but often the rake doesnt 'catch' the glass. Occasionally I manage it-but don't know how! I use a wax modelling pick and also a standard glass rake which I get actually get poorer results with as it seems chunky compared with the pick. I suspect I need to heat the glass more, but then run the risk of droopage and spreadage (not nice )! Should I consider turning the torch down?-my oxycon sometimes cuts out if I do that-but I need to be able to master this one.

Any help appreciated-thanks.

[helbels]

When I rake it does sometimes distort the shape of the bead, but I just reheat it and bring it back into shape once it's raked.  I know that Lorna Prime recommends the use of a dental pick for fine raking, so I might have to get me one of those to try 

[MangoBeads]

You really just need to heat the surface have a really fine pointy tool and try to only catch the surface of the glass to rake .... try pushing the design with your tool as well as dragging sometimes that has more precise results I find It can be tricky buut dont give up

[Hamilton Taylor]

Make sure all the glass you don't want to move is cool.
Heat only the glass you do want to move - if you heat a very narrow band, you will get a sharp curve to your feather, if you heat a wider band, the curve will be more gentle.
Use a fat rake for a rounded-tip for a 'wave' effect to the end of the feather, and a fine point for a pointy feather.
Only heat enough to move the glass - don't get it soupy.
with metal rakes, heat the very tip (0.5mm) of the rake - this will stick to the glass, and allow you to complete the rake without 'letting go'.
When you get to the end of the feather, stop, and allow the raked area to cool before trying to detach the rake - then wiggle side to side gently, and the rake will let go.
Avoid digging in, and raising a 'wake' - follow the curve of the bead with the rake tip.

That's all I can think of just now - mostly it's down to heat control (isn't everything?  )

Sean

[mel]

Thanks all, and Sean-heat the rake! I'll try that next. On some glass the rake just doesnt pick up the glass unless you dig in a bit-so if I heat the rake I may just pick up the surface better-thanks

[Hamilton Taylor]

...only the tippy-tip....

[Kaz]

Also I would say spot heat, but don't rake immediately, let the spot start to "heal" and the make sure the rake is only in the topmost surface of the glass.
Kazx

[GaysieMay]

I think Lorna used a homemade rake at the Flame On demo in NL, she had bent a needle and then fused it onto an old undipped mandrel with a big blob of hot glass, I meant to make one but haven't got round to it yet, but it was extra fine and cheap enough to replace, as she said they don't last too long.  Good luck x

[Margram]

Also, Lorna said to heat the needle to red hot before you bend it into a rake. You can heat the end of a glass rod and plunge it in for a handle. (Thanks Lorna for the tip!)