Clear Different Sizes?

[ajmets]

Ok, I wasn't even paying attention fully when I purchased my first bit of clear glass. Apparantly they come in different sizes? I got giant rods of clear which is exactly what I ordered without realizing it.

Can someone please tell me which one you are supposed to get? What is the reason for the different sizes? Help.

[SmithWerx]

My first instructor used the huge rods to make a huge melted gather, got it super hot and then smeared it over the bead to encase. I can't use that method, so I like the smaller rods and spiral on my encasing.

[artwhim]

The large rods are good for compressions. Also, some people like to "peel" their clear rods. That requires heating and removing the outer layer of the rod to remove the imperfections. The result is beautifully clear glass.

[ajmets]

Oh boy. Looks like this clear is going to require me to take lessons to use it. Not exactly what I was counting on. Oh well, lesson learned.

[Miss Kate]

Amanda - I use the large rods almost exclusively. They're great or you can pull them down to a smaller size. Just make sure you pre-heat them before sticking them in the torch.

[flamemoth]

Listen to Miss Kate :) I've always got a ton of glass shrapnel around my torch when I encase because I also like the big rods, but I'm not patient enough to preheat properly!

[Elizabeth Beads]

If you don't like working with the chubby rods, I bet someone would trade with you - try posting in the Garage Sale.

I do a lot of raised clear stringer decoration, so I like the larger size to pull stringer.

I did the same thing as you - ordered a 1/4 lb. of Chardonnay and got one 12mm rod - yikes!

[Otter's Flame]

Amanda, it is very easy to peel the glass to get it real clear. You do not need to take lessons for it. In fact I bet there is a tutorial on here somewhere for it. I use almost exclusively large diameter rods for all my off mandrel work, marbles, pendants implosions etc. PM me if you have any questions.

Just FYI the Effetre clear T-004 is a "standard" diameter rod if you want to call t that. T-004B is the 10-12mm size and T-004C is the 14-15mm size. T-006 is Crystal Clear and T-006xc is Crystal Clear Extra Clear.

[Kevan]

When they blow you know it. Ka POW!

[beadgoodies]

Oh boy. Looks like this clear is going to require me to take lessons to use it. Not exactly what I was counting on. Oh well, lesson learned.

Don't toss it. I made that mistake too early on. Eventually, you'll find a use for it. If I had to use it now, I would use it to make complex twisties. The large rods allow you to cover a much larger area all in one go, which is GREAT for encasing a large gather when building complex twisties. Regular bead making diameter glass is 4-8 mm.

Candy

[beadgoodies]

To reduce the possibility of the glass exploding on you, anneal it. It isn't crap, I promise!

Candy

[Kevan]

To reduce the possibility of the glass exploding on you, anneal it. It isn't crap, I promise!

Candy

I just got used to the exploding. I kinda like it now.;-)

[lunamoonshadow]

If you don't like working with the chubby rods, I bet someone would trade with you - try posting in the Garage Sale.

I do a lot of raised clear stringer decoration, so I like the larger size to pull stringer.

I did the same thing as you - ordered a 1/4 lb. of Chardonnay and got one 12mm rod - yikes!

Chardonnay pretty much ONLY comes in "fat" rods :lol:
(lausha tends to be "fat" a lot of the time too...not 12mm, but "fatter" than effetre/moretti...my hothead handles it with no problem though--just "bounce, bounce, bounce" to warm it up!)

Amanda, it is very easy to peel the glass to get it real clear. You do not need to take lessons for it. In fact I bet there is a tutorial on here somewhere for it. I use almost exclusively large diameter rods for all my off mandrel work, marbles, pendants implosions etc. PM me if you have any questions.

Just FYI the Effetre clear T-004 is a "standard" diameter rod if you want to call t that. T-004B is the 10-12mm size and T-004C is the 14-15mm size. T-006 is Crystal Clear and T-006xc is Crystal Clear Extra Clear.

IMPLOSIONS!! Yep, that's why I ordered my pound--I wanna try to make a couple :lol:...someday I might actually get that far :roll:

[DesertDreamer]

Yup, I love the big rods for making marbles and implosions FAST. I also think it's a better quality clear than the thinner rods. There seem to be fewer scratches and bubbles.

I rarely have problems with explosions, except for the cut end. Just introduce it to the back of the flame and start slowly. If your kiln is nearby, preheating the end isn't bad, either.