Best Bead Release for Boro???

[WhiskerWood]

I searched the forum before I posted and there was no recommendation for bead release when using boro...

I am just starting to play with boro and the bead release I am using is not working well for me…

[cghipp]

FosterFire makes a heavy duty bead release for boro. It's also good for hollows, I've heard.

[Cosmo]

I use regular Foster Fire for boro. I had some of the heavy duty, but it dried out in like 2 weeks. I haven't had a problem with the standard formula.

[DesertDreamer]

I have a funky blend. It all started cuz I was getting low on Fusion when I first met Robin Foster and tried FosterFire. She said to go ahead and mix 'em, so I did! Then, when she came out with the heavy duty boro formula, I didn't get around to trying my sample until it had started to dry out, so I scraped it into my Fusion/FF blend and I think it works great! It's a little grainy but I think that's what helps it to hold so well. I holds for hollows, boro, even blown shapes ala Tink vessels.

[BonfireBeads]

Hate to bring up a really old thread, but I have the Fosterfire heavy duty and the regular Fosterfire and both of them flake off when I am working with boro. Would it help if I dipped the mandrels twice? Air dry? Flame dry? I love tinkering on the darkside but I'm about to give up...

[HardwoodTrailGlass]

I use Arrow Springs Dip-N-Go Sludge, it works the best for me and I've tried most of them out there! ;)

[squid]

Hate to bring up a really old thread, but I have the Fosterfire heavy duty and the regular Fosterfire and both of them flake off when I am working with boro. Would it help if I dipped the mandrels twice? Air dry? Flame dry? I love tinkering on the darkside but I'm about to give up...


I do not have good luck with FF heavy duty if I flame dry it, but it is awesome if I let it air dry for at least 6 hours or so. No flaking at all.

[BonfireBeads]

I will give the air drying a try because the flame drying was really not getting it, lol. If that doesn't work I'll try the Dip-N-Go. Thank you so much!

[RuskinDesigns]

I use fosterfire regular and I found an old jar of sludge plus. I was running low on FF so I added the sludge plus to it. I air AND flame dry depending on my level of preparedness :)

[Leanne]

yeah I agree FF heavy duty is great just DON"T flame dry it...it is far stronger to be left to dry on it's own. The same goes with the normal stuff don't flame dry it it loses it's holding power.

[Kalera]

I love the FF heavy duty, always air dried, and thinner than you might think it should be. If it starts to dry out or gets really thick add plain old tap water to thin it out again!

For the last year or so I've been using a homemade bead release recipe Michael Barley gave me, which is 1/2 kiln wash and 1/2 alumina hydrate. Just fot the heck of it I threw in some (not sure how much, not sure it matters much) diatomaceous earth. I love it! It's my favorite bead release so far, and about $25 makes more bead release than I will probably use in my whole life.

[Anakin's Glass Eye]

I currently use Sludge Plus. I bought FF heavy duty and tried it but was very disappointed with it. It flaked off easily. I always air dry. I plan to try it again thinned out a bit, just to make sure it was operator error that made it not work.

Brad

[Wonker]

I'm a Dip N Go fan myself.

[G.L.McBead]

1/4 Fosterfire 3/4 BOM or
1/4 FF 3/4 Super Blue Sludge
G.

[sandree]

Currently using, 1/2 Foster Fire, 1/2 Fusion. Still get flaking, so I am always looking for something even better...

Sandy

[FiredDesires]

I like FPI for boro..I use FF to mix into my Choice / BOM...I'm a latent mad scientists in the bead release scheme of things, lol.

The FF has to be put on the mandral thin, almost to where you see the stainless steel through it..sheer, otherwise if too thick it does flake & spit...those brown spots on my hands?? They ARE NOT age spots!!! lol

[HardwoodTrailGlass]

The thinness freaks me out? Drip, drip, drip. I must be weird! :lol: