View Full Interactive Version Of This Page : Need tips on working with Boro Dichroic
e. mort
2006-05-10, 11:35am
I just picked out some boro Dichroic from the borobox, and I am ready to try it out. I know that is has to be protected just like Moretti Dichroic, but I have heard that it can burn out even after it is encased which has never happened to me with Moretti. So, what do I need to know before I end up wasting all I have?
Thanks,
Eric
Heat only the back side, not the coated side. Use your inner flame, and open your outer oxygen. It should be a very cool, very oxidizing flame.
Tack it into place, and then heat the edges and flatten them which will trap the coating inside clear. From then on, you can heat it normally. I like to add a little extra clear along the edges of the dichroic just in case.
e. mort
2006-05-10, 2:52pm
Thanks Chad!
Heat in back of flame, Barely hot enough to get the glass movin. Cover the coating carefully, being sure not to hit it with direct flame. I also find that heating it up in the kiln helps...
Milon Townsend heats the dichro up in a kiln until it fuses and the coating starts to crystalize. Then he heats it up on the dichro side in the flame with no problem. But, just because Milon does it doesn't mean the rest of us can do it. I have tried it and can't do it without burning it up.
Once encased, minimize the working time, if you can, and don't get the piece white hot unless the dichro is in there pretty deep.
Karen Hardy
2006-05-11, 9:13am
A few things I've found:
1) I like using (I think it was Doug R's suggestion) the method where you "coat" the colored side of the glass with either clear or translucent glass to protect it first. Hold the dichro under the flame and sweep a thin coat of (example) cobalt over the coated side. Then you can heat it up and apply it to the mandrel - coated cobalt side down. That really brings out the dichroic colors against the deep blue!
2) use sparingly - a little goes a long way, and it's bloody expensive!
3) NEVER stretch it when applying. it "shatters" the dicro pattern and makes it just look "etched" or in worse cases "foamy". You don't want to "play" with dichro, just put it on and apply your next layer or decorate it. Don't overheat it or make it stretch or move if at all possible. I like to make the bead, then AFTER all is done, heat the whole thing to glowing and put it in the kiln.
4) If you have a large piece, use a sheet glass cutter to cut it into strips to make it more manageable when applying it.
3) NEVER stretch it when applying. it "shatters" the dicro pattern.....
I am going to disagree with this, don't get me wrong,I see yer point....
But never is a strong word. Needling is a desired effent in certin applications, such as dichro gallexy marbles...
e. mort
2006-05-12, 7:43pm
Ok, I coated the edges and sides of the Dichro. On one test pendant I stretched it intentionally, and on the other I didn’t.
I like to layer like 5 or more pieces on a flattend rod and back with turbo colbalt
it pulls down really far, and takes quite a bit of abuse.
MMM sparkely!:koolaid:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/pigletdagemini/63c0b44d.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a198/pigletdagemini/07027418.jpg
Karen Hardy
2006-05-19, 11:43am
NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEEEVVVAHHHHH!
If you EVER stretch that glass, I'm gonna
come over there and slap you upside the head!
Or worse! :spank:
I am going to disagree with this, don't get me wrong,I see yer point....
But never is a strong word. Needling is a desired effent in certin applications, such as dichro gallexy marbles...
NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEEEVVVAHHHHH!
If you EVER stretch that glass, I'm gonna
come over there and slap you upside the head!
Or worse! :spank:
HHMMMM?!?
Karen Hardy
2006-05-21, 6:45pm
Just giving you a hard time, Baylie :roll:
Must be a full moon....
HHMMMM?!?
I bought some little dichro picture stamps. Any good suggestions on how to work it, that hasn't been discussed??
Thanks
Ash
e. mort
2006-06-08, 1:12pm
Those are really cool! I have seem them used in both marbles and pendants. I haven't bought any yet because they are kind of pricey. I figure when I have regular dichro down, then I will try them out. :lol:
Eric
Karen Hardy
2006-06-08, 4:07pm
Hey Eric & Baylie!!!
Here's a focal I did with the boro dicro I got from winship
(they have boro grab bags there for 24$!!!). I found that I get
the best results if I use a nice base bead color before I lay the
dichro strip down. Whaddayaguys think????
19507
e. mort
2006-06-08, 5:14pm
Looks good to me!
Eric
rusticstudio
2006-06-14, 11:33am
Karen, where'd you see the boro dichro grab bags? I couldn't find it on the site.
Karen Hardy
2006-06-18, 9:00am
It's not a boro dichro grab bag - it's just called a grab bag, and it had dichro, regular boro, sticks, etc all broken up and put into a bag. Nothing is labeled, but if you're willing to play around with it a bit you can find some incredible stuff in there. It's basically regular boro rods that get broken in shipment to them.
It's probably not posted - Call them and ask them if they have any in stock.
Karen, where'd you see the boro dichro grab bags? I couldn't find it on the site.
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