Sooty streaks in clear

[Sal]

I'm having lots of problems with clear-it always ends up with brown sooty streaks in it and I'm not quite sure why. Is is just that I am holding the bead too far down in the flame or something else? I'm using vetro clear on a hothead and I find I have to hold beads fairly low down to get the glass to actually melt. I'd really appreciate any advice- I have attempted encasing a couple of times bit it always ends up looking a complete mess 

Thanks,
Sal

[MangoBeads]

Hi Sal have you cleaned your glass ?

[Sal]

Yep - used something alcohol based and then just some water to clean it off (paranoid of going up in flames!)

[glassworks]

what gas are you using on your hothead?.. black marks are often related to soot - which may be caused by chemicals in the gas not burning completely... try running your hot head at max, and tapping it gently with something.. if you see little "shooting stars" in th eflame when you do so you are dislodging particles of soot which are burning up..

did you get the vetro from us?.. we can check our batch but so far we have only had positive results with it?.. if the glass has been wiped down and is clean i must say i would be looking at the gas itself introducing impurities into the flame.. the hothead is an excellent torch (just ask sarah!) but it needs good clean fuel..

[Sal]

It's on bulk propane. Had the same problem with effetre clear (I got both from Martin). I've not had the same problem with any other transparent colours, just the clear. I'll have a go at hitting my torch tomorrow! I always run my torch on full (I have to turn it right up to light it and just leave it there).

[glassworks]

just gentle tapping mind!!!...

do you have pics?.... 

[Sal]

I shall crank up my camera tomorrow when it's better light-no laughing though!

[turnedlight]

Sal - I have just gone bulk, and I experienced the same (with vetro clear and other trans glass). When I went bulk, I had to have a new torch bracket, and I found that I just needed to lower the head of the torch a bit rather than trying to work further out, and the sooty streaks seem to have stopped.
Also, on the first session, I thought it didn't seem hot enough, but somehow that has resolved too.. have no idea why!
How long have you been on bulk?

[dinah46]

It's on bulk propane. Had the same problem with effetre clear (I got both from Martin). I've not had the same problem with any other transparent colours, just the clear. I'll have a go at hitting my torch tomorrow! I always run my torch on full (I have to turn it right up to light it and just leave it there).

Hi, I'm running a hothead on bulk and used to have it turned up full until someone on this forum suggested turning it right down almost until it goes off. I tried this and the results are so much better. Unfortunately I can't find the original post.

[Mary]

I read recently that torches that are run on Mapp can be difficult to light when you first switch to propane. Maybe there is a build up of something? Maybe run it on high for a bit without any glass , then try again?

[glassworks]

there are sometimes tiny impurities in the propane tanks and the problem seems to be worst at the start of a tank and at the very end?... maybe the mapp gas leaves small deposits in the body of the torch that the higher flow rate of the propane dislodges?..

mary, dig your avatar!!

[Mary]

     

[Sal]

Thanks everyone, I'll give all of that a go. I actually went straight to bulk so my poor little hothead has never known mapp! I'll try to put some pics up later on.
Sal

[Sal]

I have attempted to attach a photo of the sooty bits. Hope it works! Sorry about the awful beads (and terrible photos!)

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

They're not awful beadies, theyre lovely