boro clear, what kind and where to get it

[suzanne]

I have searched some of my favorite glass stores online ,but they only have coloured boro:S

I know I must have clear to make beads, but what kind of clear do I need , and where can I buy it??

Suzanne

[harpentuan]

In no partiicular order, the commmon brands of clear stock are, : Simax, Pyrex, Kimble/Kimax, Schott Duran, and Chinex (various Chinese sweatshop production).

Here are some places to get the clear boro.

http://www.generationsglass.com
http://www.lampworkingsupplies.com
http://www.arrowsprings.com/
http://www.glasscraftinc.com/
http://www.waleapparatus.com/
http://www.winshipdesigns.com/
http://www.mountainglassarts.com/


Best wishes.

[Cosmo]

I only use Simax clear. I get it from http://www.pegasus-glass.com/ . They only sell it by the case. When I need just a few rods I go to www.lampworkingsupplies.com

[suzanne]

great! Thanks so much! I do want to get just a few rods to try it out first ( plus a case is incredibly expensive to ship to the Netherlands!)

Suzanne

[MikeAurelius]

www.auralens.net as well.

[R4GlassStudio]

It really depends on what is more important, quality or price?
If price is a factor, then Kimble Tube and Simax Rod.
If clearity and quality is important, then Kimble Tube and Kimble Rod.

Kimble Tube is cheaper than Simax Tube, but Simax Rod is cheaper than Kimble Rod.

[cghipp]

Frantz carries it as well.

Courtney

[Cosmo]

If clearity and quality is important, then Kimble Tube and Kimble Rod.


I'm the other way around. I think the Kimble looks sort of yellowish, while the Simax has very little color (and what color it does have is somewhat blue) so I think the clarity is better with Simax. But, I guess it could be a difference in how you work it and what colors you pair it with...

[R4GlassStudio]

We use the same thickness of rod, score and snap down to two feet, then view over a white background looking down the center. Side by Side.... Schott is the clearest. Allthough, Kimble gets sand from two places. One is cracked and acid washed before it gets to them. When that source is used, it is as clear as Schot. When the other sand is used, it still has less color (iron) than the Simax Boro. Opinions aside..... Kimble is clearer and has stricter tollerances for od and id variations.

But, hey....... people use what they have closest to them and what ever clear they are use to. Both have great glass and I use both.

[R4GlassStudio]

Another test you can do is make the same piece out of solid rod. I make chess sets. Put finished pieces side by side and the Kimble has way clearer optics. The Simax will look almost cloudy next to it. After all, the largest sculpural companies like Glass Barron and Arribus Brothers won't use Simax for that reason, even though it's cheaper.

[suzanne]

well shucks Mike why the hell didn't I know you had it as well!!!!!