stringer control!!

[SuzyQ]

*&^&*%$#@!

All this time I have just used a regular rod and pulled the beads to stretch it thinner in the direction I wanted the stringer to go. It worked for me but I wasn't exactly doing precise work. Now I want to get more involved and decided a uniform already pulled stringer would work better. But guess what? I can't do it!! I know there is a learning curve but my biggest problem is figuring out where to hold the stringer so it gets just hot enough to stick.
I am on a Minor. Any suggestions?

[SPIglass]

Hey Suzy,

I heat up just the end to glowing and attach it to the bead, then work with the stringer in outside edge of the flame. It helps if you hold the stringer in the same place and move the bead to make your design, although for some things I tend to move the stringer and not the bead, which is much harder. And of course the dreaded "p" word practice. Don't know how much that helps without pictures, but I hope it helps some. :D

[SuzyQ]

I have tried right beside the flame but can't get it in the right place. Maybe I need a smaller flame? or bigger?

[SuzyQ]

should the bead be in the flame or sort of behind it?

[SPIglass]

The bead should be behind the flame...just be sure that the bead is warm and not glowing. I also do turn my flame down when working stringer. How much I turn it down depends on the thickness of the stringer.

[Holly]

What helps me to initially attach the stringer is to spot heat the *bead* and touch the stringer to it, instead of heating the stringer and touching the bead. Helps cut down on those blobby beginnings and allows me to be more precise.
I think it's a practice thing that you get the feel of it as you do it over and over and over......

[SuzyQ]

Ah, ok thanks ladies. I was thinking I should turn the torch up because it would give me a more defined edge. I guess down is better, lol. Spot heating the bead sounds like a good blob free trick too. Thanks. I have a plan for tomorrow.

[Curly Irish Girl]

Seemingly the only time the saying "cooler is better" does not apply is when working with raku!