Vetrofond Black Pitting?

[Gail Kops]

Hey ho all:

My recent order of VF black has been pitting, matting, and acting weird in a neutral flame.

Anyone else have issues with it?

Prior batches have been fine.

I just switched from my Minor to a Cricket and plan on trying it with the old minor to see if it is the torch, but don't think so.

Any ideas?

Thanks bunches!

[Locococo]

Bought 1 kilo last year and after trying every single rod I thrown that crap in a glass recycling container. :evil:
Never again!

Elke

[tammydownunder]

I only use it for stringer work and when I run out, I will never buy it again. I keep it well labeled so I don't mix it up with the effetre.

[loribeads]

I only use it for kidlet eyes. I tried to make a spooky bat out of it last week. Ugh. Whitish haze all over the poor bat. The rod wasn't labeled but as soon as I saw that, I knew it was Vetrofond black. I've gone to using CIM Tuxedo for all my black beads.

[Gail Kops]

Thanks everyone for posting!

This is so strange as I used to use it with no problems - wasn't so "purple" as the Effetre black when thinned out or applied over white.

What a shame.

Off to order some Tuxedo.

Thanks so much people!

[Gail Kops]

I think they have changed their "recipe" or something.

I just finished torching and found some old shorts which I had. No pitting, no matting, no boiling. It handled beautifully and was super.

Just plain weird!

[Silver Moon Lampwork]

There was a bad batch a while ago. I got some too. I threw it in the trash.

[barbaracollins]

Turn down your Oxygen!

[Jody Lee]

Bad batch. Use CIM Hades or Effetre Black. :D

[Reenie]

Vetrofond black is normally wonderful but their last batch wasn't up to par. Actually, they even told people that this isn't the normal batch of black. Has rocks in it and also doesn't behave nicely.
So It's not really a problem with Vetrofond black normally but just the past run.
Hope that helps

[blong2001]

I am so glad I am not the only one that has had trouble with the black. I hope the next batch is better!

[KayG7]

Gee -- if they knew it was a bad batch why did they even send it out? Doesn't seem like good practice to me....

[Gail Kops]

I think I will try to melt a bit on the ends of each rod and if I see it pitting, matting, and acting up, I will pitch them as well...no sense in it collecting dust and taking up space...what a waste!

My torch was neutral flame...tried reducing the oxygen even more...but no help.

I think I may have been hit with some of the bad stock.

A bit weary lately with "bad stock" as I had some Diamond Clear as well that ended up cracking 6 out of 8 focals (after using it for almost a year with NO problems). Almost "gun shy" to try anything of late for fear of problems.

On another note....Bethany...is your avatar pix your dog? PBGV? We have a PBGV!

[blong2001]

Nothing is petite about my doggy! She is an Old English Sheepdog. PBGV's are gorgeous dogs.

[Holly]

Turn down your Oxygen!

Yup! It likes a bit of a reduction flame.
I love it and it's the only black I use. :)

[Shrimp]

Perhaps this glass can be used as a base. Cover it with frits or enamals to get some nice enhanced organic look out of it.

[Silver Moon Lampwork]

Gee -- if they knew it was a bad batch why did they even send it out? Doesn't seem like good practice to me....

I was wondering the same thing. I could see the rocks in the rods before I even tried heating one.