Pitting From Cooling Bubbles

Barnacle Bay · May 11, 2012, 06:40:37 PM

Hi,
Made a couple of beads earlier (1st attempt) first went puff as I brought it out of the bubbles too quick for a sneaky peak oops thermal shock syndrome

The 2nd attempt was pretty good I thought, though I noticed that the cooling buubles had made pitting indentations on the surface.
Now I'm wondering was that due to be putting the bead in them too quickly $:-\$

Cannot show a photo due to after trying to release bead from the mandrel it split in half length ways along mandrel length (reading on another thread about those causes).

Apart from that - I'm hooked having another go in a mo, but any suggestions/advice are warmly received. I think I may have to go on a course though

Thanks in advance,

Louise

sparrow · May 11, 2012, 06:44:34 PM

Hi Louise,

yes, I think you answered your own question, it sounds like the bead was still too hot when you put it away - it can help holding it somewhere dark (like under your desk or workbench) to check that it isn't glowing anymore before you put it away

Barnacle Bay · May 11, 2012, 06:56:35 PM

Thanks for that Sparrow - by th way, I love your work/creations simply stunning butterflys.

I'm thinking that it may have also split possibly due to me being a bit too mean on the bead release - I spread it out along the mandrel rather than leaving it thicker, and the bead just would not let go. Never mind off to have another go

BeeBeads · May 11, 2012, 07:09:53 PM

Hi Louise,
I always leave my beads in the vermiculite until the next day after I've finished torching. I know you can probably safely remove them after a few hours but I've just got into the habit of leaving them overnight and, apart from it being something to look forward to the next day, I have very few breakages. I've never used the bubbles, have always used vermiculite (a lot cheaper!) in a large deep bowl and it seems to work for me.
Do you think you could be taking them out too soon to have a look and/or remove them from the mandrels?
Sounds like you're having loadsa fun though!

Barnacle Bay · May 11, 2012, 07:24:03 PM

Hi Bee,

Yes I think I'm being far too eager to peak. To be honest I wished I had bought just the vermiculite now

, though will have to stick with the bubbles. I have them heating up nicely in my slow cooker and will deffintely leave the beads in it over night - no peaking promise

BeeBeads · May 11, 2012, 07:26:18 PM

Barnacle Bay · May 11, 2012, 07:41:49 PM

I know a few things I wish i had right now:

Frit & Stringers

Kiln

A brain

flowerjasper · May 11, 2012, 07:50:59 PM

Hi,
glad you are having fun

I changed from vermiculite to bubbles and wouldnt change back, I get the pitting now and again its often on white glass, its just because they went in too hot,
If the bead has split dead in half then peaking is the cause

hope you have some pictures for us soon
sandy

SRJ · May 11, 2012, 08:04:13 PM

Hi Louise
I have masses of vermiculite if you'd like some..... it comes in such HUGE bags (compared to how much you need) If I'm not cooking my beads straight away I cool them in a slow cooker with the stuff. Anyway - if you'd like some, I'll take some to work with me. You can pick it up some time if you're passing. (Clear a bit of stuff from my back porch)

Sue x

Barnacle Bay · May 11, 2012, 08:10:28 PM

Hi Sandy - what it the meaning of the term you use 'peaking' ?

SRJ - that would be excellent - I will pay you of course, will pop in Monday if thats ok with you

Off I go now to melt something!

Purple Cobwebs · May 11, 2012, 08:30:01 PM

Have sent you a pm. xxx

Lush! · May 11, 2012, 08:37:06 PM

Quote from: MamaQuilla on May 11, 2012, 08:10:28 PM
Hi Sandy - what it the meaning of the term you use 'peaking' ?

I think she meant "peeking"!

Do watch that thin bead release, I had an absolute disaster with a batch of student beads this week because my bead release was too thin

flowerjasper · May 11, 2012, 08:56:16 PM

Quote from: MamaQuilla on May 11, 2012, 08:10:28 PM
Hi Sandy - what it the meaning of the term you use 'peaking' ?

SRJ - that would be excellent - I will pay you of course, will pop in Monday if thats ok with you

Off I go now to melt something!

think its my essex accent and bad spelling

sneeky ( sneaky?) peeking before the beads are cool enough

Lush! · May 11, 2012, 09:02:20 PM

d'ya mean beeeeeeds, Sandy?

SRJ · May 11, 2012, 09:04:19 PM

Quote from: MamaQuilla on May 11, 2012, 08:10:28 PM
Hi Sandy - what it the meaning of the term you use 'peaking' ?

SRJ - that would be excellent - I will pay you of course, will pop in Monday if thats ok with you

Off I go now to melt something!

No need for payment -it's cheap as chips. Will be good to meet you. Try to avoid 12 - 12.30 as i shall probably be at lunch....

Sue