Scorched encasing

[Darelyn]

I was working on some encased florals over the weekend and they came out grey and kinda scorched-looking. :sad:
Does anyone have any ideas on why this would occur? I've never had it happen before. I am using a hothead with a hose to a large propolene tank. I was working about midway in the flame.
I tried two different brands of the clear (Vetrofond and I think Lauscha). They both got black streaks and came out dark.
Was I too low in the flame? Too much gas from the tank?

Thanks for your help!
(I've been lampworking for a year, but have had the tank only a couple months. I'm still learning about the temps.)

[RSimmons]

It sounds like you've picked up some soot from your flame in the glass. Too much fuel gas, not enough oxygen. Try working a bit farther out in the flame where the fuel has burned a bit more.

Robert S

[Dale M.]

I was working on some encased florals over the weekend and they came out grey and kinda scorched-looking. :sad:
Does anyone have any ideas on why this would occur? I've never had it happen before. I am using a hothead with a hose to a large propolene tank. I was working about midway in the flame.
I tried two different brands of the clear (Vetrofond and I think Lauscha). They both got black streaks and came out dark.
Was I too low in the flame? Too much gas from the tank?

Thanks for your help!
(I've been lampworking for a year, but have had the tank only a couple months. I'm still learning about the temps.)


Also try turning down flame a bit... WIDE OPEN is not always best flame...

Dale

[Darelyn]

Thanks for the input!

[Hothead Beads]

Do you bleed your line when you are done torching?? I work on a HH and always make sure the line is empty of fuel when done torching.

[Darelyn]

I turn off the HH then turn off the tank. How do I "bleed the line"?

[Kikki]

You turn off the tank and let the flame on the torch go out by itself. That way there is no gas left in the line.
Remember to turn off your torch when your done though! Otherwise you could be in for a very nasty surprise the next time you turn on the tank...

[Hothead Beads]

Darelyn
Turn off your tank first, then let the torch run until all of the fuel is burnt off. BTW, this is a great time to pull some stringer. I use vetrofond clear and work it about 2 inches above the blue cone. This takes a while, being on a HH, but the clear should stay that way. Hope this helps you.

[Darelyn]

Thanks for the great instructions!