Calling all users of System 96

[RikkiM]

I bought a sample set of System 96 rods, and tried them for the first time today. Initial results are very good -- but I'd like to know whether I'm simply dazzled by something new. So, a few questions for those of you who have used System 96 for a while, and are inclined to answer. :wink:

1. In comparison with 104 glasses, how do you feel System 96 performs with regard to surface quality? Do you see much pitting, scumming, that sort of thing?

2. What about color stability? Are colors like turquoise and transparent red as prone to oxidation as their 104 counterparts? Are there other shades in the 96 palette that are similarly fussy?

3. Is there a difference in working time? In other words, are System 96 glasses any more or less tolerant that 104s of being worked long time in the flame?

4. Are there other differences (pro or con) that I didn't think to ask about?

All replies much appreciated; I expect others may be interested, as well.

Thanks very much!

-------------------------------------------------------

Your pardon if this has been addressed here before -- I searched but did not find a related thread.

[Elizabeth Beads]

System 96 aka Uroboros, is lovely to work with and plays nice with furnace cane and frit.

Very unfussy, no pitting or boiling and the clear is beautiful.

The colors are very stable. I have scorched the turquoise but that is my bad.

I have not had any trouble with working for a long time in the flame.

Drawbacks (you know there have to be some) are a relatively limited and bland color palatte (which is slowly expanding), no silver glass, no reactive colors.

But I am a big fan of the glass for working with frit and for encasing glass like Chalcedony and Dark Multicolor.

:)

[squid]

the beauty of Uroboros is the stunning variety of furnace glass available that is generally compatible. Uroboros by itself is a little "meh", but start adding Reichenbach, Zimmerman, Gaffer, etc and wow!

[dclutter64]

I love Uroboros... and Gaffer... and Reichenbach... and Kugler! I love 96 coe glass! I use them all together with no problems. There is no ivory that compares to 104 though! I have used some 104 SS on my gaffer glass and made the beads into a necklace. They are still holding up.

[Bellagirl]

I love 96 for all the reasons mentioned. Since it is stiffer, it is easier to learn stringer control & scupltural beads.

I also use allot of the veiled cane & frits to jazz up the colors.

[patezd]

I really like the 96 coe colors but, yes, they don't have the silver glass yet and that is what has been distracting me lately. However, I did dip into some of the new Reichenbach colors I picked up in Seattle last February (and hadn't used much yet) just for a change and found that I really liked the reaction I got with the vanilla, raspberry pink and one of the greens........rather dark teal......they made some beautiful music together! I am also a HUGE fan of Zimmerman Lilac Rose Special, it can be a bit prone to devit if you are over zealous with it but it is nowhere near as tempermental as EDP! And it does really lovely things with the 96 coe opal yellows!

[RikkiM]

Many thanks to erose for the specific answers, and to the rest of you for your input. I will likely be selling off my 104 inventory and making a complete switch to 96. I'm not a big user of the silver/reactive colors, and the superior quality of the 96 glasses is very appealing to me.

Warm regards,

RM

[shawnette]

Many thanks to erose for the specific answers, and to the rest of you for your input. I will likely be selling off my 104 inventory and making a complete switch to 96. I'm not a big user of the silver/reactive colors, and the superior quality of the 96 glasses is very appealing to me.

Warm regards,

RM

I did that about 3 years ago and have never regretted it. Uroboros Black is the best black EVER and the clear is perfect and don't even ret me started on the furnace colors. TDF!!! The 96 lines are a dream... I still have a tiny bit of 104 but unless I'm doing color tests, I find myself reaching for the 96.

[J. Savina]

Rikki and Shawnette, I think you are both very brave to be 96 exclusive. I can't part with any glass. not my 32 90 96 104 128, not even my float 86. No way, no how. Not even my least favorite alabaster 104s. You know, the shocky want to just use them as drink stirrers rods. :D


J.

[Mermaid Glass]

I love System 96. I've used forever, originally in sheet form from when I was switching over from fusing. Very stable, compatible with lots of other varieties and works like a dream in the torch.

[shawnette]

Rikki and Shawnette, I think you are both very brave to be 96 exclusive. I can't part with any glass. not my 32 90 96 104 128, not even my float 86. No way, no how. Not even my least favorite alabaster 104s. You know, the shocky want to just use them as drink stirrers rods. :D


J.

I wouldn't say that I'm 96 "exclusive". I kept a few Vetrofond & Effetre 104 colors that I absolutely love and have purchased some Devardi, which is also 104. I don't like boro, but I have it. I have BE, but don't use it. The only thing that I use every single torch session is my 96ish stuff. Love, love LOVE it!!!

[RikkiM]

Guess I've had too many disappointments with 104 glasses over the years -- especially with surface quality. Although I wouldn't be in such a hurry to sell off the 104 if I weren't so anxious to get more colors of 96. ;-) (Anyone in the Houston, Texas area who is interested in 104 glass is welcome to PM me.)

[Karen Hardy]

The major plus of using 96 is I can slather on the frits and
not have to worry about incompatibility. I'm a proud member
of the frit ho association :lol:.

[Elizabeth Beads]

(Anyone in the Houston, Texas area who is interested in 104 glass is welcome to PM me.)

I'm in Sugar Land - whatcha got?

[RikkiM]

I'm in Sugar Land - whatcha got?

PM'ed ya.

:waving:

[Lisi]

Most of the beads I make are 96 COE glass and frits. :)

[patezd]

The major plus of using 96 is I can slather on the frits and
not have to worry about incompatibility. I'm a proud member
of the frit ho association :lol:.

Ditto HO'ney! I'm a ho too! :)