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| Boro Room -- For Boro-related tips, techniques, and questions. |
2007-12-06, 4:52pm
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Ezzy
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2006
Posts: 2,020
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Tungsten Pick Alternatives?
Oh my, it's gone from about 4 inches to about an inch and a half. I didn't realize it was getting smaller when I was using it to try to pierce a hole into a boro heart. I never realized that making the hole would be as hard as it was either. But this afternoon is when I realized what happened to the pick, I went to use it and was like  And how toxic is that?!!! Super crap!
Anyway, what do you use to pierce boro?
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2007-12-07, 8:12am
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ManBearPig
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Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 8,540
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PixieFireBeads
Oh my, it's gone from about 4 inches to about an inch and a half. I didn't realize it was getting smaller when I was using it to try to pierce a hole into a boro heart. I never realized that making the hole would be as hard as it was either. But this afternoon is when I realized what happened to the pick, I went to use it and was like And how toxic is that?!!! Super crap!
Anyway, what do you use to pierce boro? |
I use tungsten. I've used the same piece for probably 500 pendants so far. If it's deteriorating like that, you are getting it WAY too hot. All you need is just a dull glow. Tungsten fumes are very toxic, by the way.
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2007-12-07, 9:14pm
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Ezzy
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2006
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Makes me think maybe I'm not getting the glass hot enough to pierce. Thanks, Cosmo.
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When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
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2007-12-08, 1:04am
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HourGlass Studio
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Join Date: Jun 12, 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,807
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I have used a pair of peters tweezers and then my really sharp brass pick to pierce boro....you need to get the piece really hot, use the tweeers to start to process off and then reheat and use the brass pick...you will have to repeat the process and cool the pick in water a few times but it does work.
When I found out how toxic the tungsten was I quit using mine. Also its not a tool that I have readily available on my workspace at all time...and my pick and peters tweezers are. 
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2007-12-08, 2:58am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 06, 2006
Location: Woodruff, WI
Posts: 789
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I use this tool. I love it. Andy's Handy Tool. I'll have to find his email.
You just heat up your area to pierce until it's quite hot, pinch, and then pivot on point. The pivot motion breaks the last little bit of glass. Then just reheat area and use the opposite end to open hole more. Depending on how big you want your hole...you can use a graphite reamer to make it even larger as in the piece below.
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2007-12-08, 3:52am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 06, 2006
Location: Woodruff, WI
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You can email Andy at andy@galacticglass.net ask for Andy's Handy Tool, if I remember correctly is sells for $40.
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2007-12-08, 5:58pm
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Ezzy
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotcoles
You can email Andy at andy@galacticglass.net ask for Andy's Handy Tool, if I remember correctly is sells for $40. |
Thanks for the information on this tool. It sounds like you don't need to use an additional tool (i.e. pick) to make your hole. Is that correct?
Less is more for me, my bench is a bit of a sty.
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When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
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2007-12-08, 6:20pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 06, 2006
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Yes, Annie, that's all you need. It has it's own pick as well for opening your hole a bit wider. It just can't get any easier than what this tool does!
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2007-12-08, 7:21pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
Location: Wellington, CO
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Ok I think I have to have one of those. I make a mess with my Tungsten pick also!
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Dawn
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2007-12-09, 8:14pm
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Ezzy
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2006
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Thanks Heidi, I think this is the tool I'm leaning towards. Maybe Santa will bring it for me!
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When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
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2007-12-09, 9:32pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 06, 2006
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Annie, you won't be disappointed! I make lots of holes now that it's so easy.
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2007-12-10, 7:33am
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ManBearPig
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Join Date: Jun 28, 2005
Location: Roanoke, VA
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Tungsten works fine. You don't need any special tools. You just have to learn the proper technique. Most people either don't heat the tungsten enough, or heat it way too much. If I can ever get past this flu that I've had for a few weeks, I'll get back to making some video tutorials and make one on piercing with tungsten.
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2007-12-10, 10:17am
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Ezzy
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cosmo
Tungsten works fine. You don't need any special tools. You just have to learn the proper technique. Most people either don't heat the tungsten enough, or heat it way too much. If I can ever get past this flu that I've had for a few weeks, I'll get back to making some video tutorials and make one on piercing with tungsten.
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Sounds like you have a winter virus, hope you get well soon. No doubt I have no idea how to use tungsten with boro; but I suspect I didn't get my glass hot enough. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I love your tuts, they are really very thorough.
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When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
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2007-12-11, 12:59am
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Save the Numbats
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Join Date: Jul 23, 2005
Location: The Arctic
Posts: 577
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I barely heat my tungsten at all. It has zero deterioration. Good thing, because try as might, my ventilation on one hand seems excellent and in practice seems horrible. I'm still trying to figure it out.
I've used a super sharp brass thing for this purpose, too. I bent the tip on the stone after it went through the glass piece... Grrgllgle!
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