|
Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2009-09-08, 7:29am
|
bryntaran
|
|
Join Date: Feb 24, 2009
Location: farm in country
Posts: 82
|
|
warming glass rods
Unfortunately, winter will be here sooner that I'd like. Before that happens, I need a way to warm my glass rods. Obviously some are very shocky no matter what, but I'd like to reduce glass loss and burn blisters by warming my glass.
Inexpensive would be best, but any thoughts would be a help,
Thanks,
Judy
|
2009-09-08, 7:38am
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 31, 2006
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 2,210
|
|
I have some of those old warming plates that I bought from thrift stores. I have three - the cheapest was 10 cents, and the most expensive was $1.49. They heat the rods to hotter than I can hold on the end that I set on the warmer.
__________________
Kathy
|
2009-09-08, 7:44am
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
|
|
The curling iron heater has been a great rod heater for about 5 years.
Robert
|
2009-09-08, 7:52am
|
|
Just at the begining
|
|
Join Date: Jul 13, 2009
Location: Barrie, Ontario
Posts: 131
|
|
Use a Halogen lamp, you can control how hot they are with a dimmer.
|
2009-09-08, 9:10am
|
|
Dangerous Woman
|
|
Join Date: Nov 21, 2005
Location: Southcentral PA
Posts: 5,018
|
|
I use a small George Forman grill. It has the ridges in so they don't roll around. Got mine at a yard sale for 5 bucks.
__________________
Nancy
May your torch burn brightly and your oxy never run out. - Karen Hardy
On a Cheetah with a hurricane Still have my Lynx as a back up.
|
2009-09-08, 11:12am
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 17, 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 409
|
|
ohhh lots of good ideas!!!!
__________________
Renee
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2009-09-08, 11:14am
|
|
PyronamixK
|
|
Join Date: Jun 24, 2005
Location: Spatula City
Posts: 4,196
|
|
Depending on your kiln, you could also set them on top of the kiln. I believe some even had rod warming shelves at one time (don't know if those are still around).
__________________
Kimberly
working glass since 1990 - melting it on a torch since 2002
|
2009-09-08, 1:27pm
|
|
Somewhat out there!
|
|
Join Date: Aug 26, 2009
Location: Esko Minnesota
Posts: 735
|
|
I would thing an old heating pad would do the trick too
|
2009-09-08, 2:03pm
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 18, 2006
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 1,528
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RSimmons
The curling iron heater has been a great rod heater for about 5 years.
Robert
|
I looked and looked for one of these but they don't seem to have them in australia, dayum!
|
2009-09-08, 2:43pm
|
|
uncouthful cats
|
|
Join Date: Jun 01, 2009
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 1,787
|
|
Hmmm - hadn't heard of the halogen light with dimmer idea. I like it!
Depends on your kiln, but I stick rods beneath mine. They get pretty toasty. I know some people put rods on top of their kilns, but I like to keep a little dish for murrini & shards on top of mine.
__________________
Let me give you some of my advice. After all, I'm not using any of it. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Oh no! The cats forgot to vacuum AGAIN!
|
2009-09-08, 8:00pm
|
|
product of the universe
|
|
Join Date: Sep 06, 2005
Location: Rutvegas Vt
Posts: 598
|
|
I made my rod warmer out of pyrex rods.It works pretty good, although i'd like to get a real one.
__________________
Chris
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
And the men who hold high places,Must be the ones to start,To mold a new reality,Closer to the heart--Rush
Currently using fire.
|
2009-09-08, 10:09pm
|
bryntaran
|
|
Join Date: Feb 24, 2009
Location: farm in country
Posts: 82
|
|
Thank you all for such great ideas. I think it is time to head to my parent's house and do some cleaning in their cellar - I know I saw a George Forman grill somewhere down there! I am pretty taken with the curling iron warmer though. Any thoughts on where to find one?
Thanks again everyone,
Judy
|
2009-09-08, 10:15pm
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 29, 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 636
|
|
I have just bought one on Amazon.
Kym buy one in America and use a transformer with it, that is what I am going to do.
|
2009-09-09, 6:14am
|
|
Dangerous Woman
|
|
Join Date: Nov 21, 2005
Location: Southcentral PA
Posts: 5,018
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chayes
I made my rod warmer out of pyrex rods.It works pretty good, although i'd like to get a real one.
|
I'd like to see a pic of that.
__________________
Nancy
May your torch burn brightly and your oxy never run out. - Karen Hardy
On a Cheetah with a hurricane Still have my Lynx as a back up.
|
2009-09-09, 6:30am
|
Mary Lockwood
|
|
Join Date: Jun 21, 2005
Location: Boonies
Posts: 5,831
|
|
You can get the curling iron heater at Sally's beauty supply or on eBay or other online shops.
I put a terra cotta pot upside down in front of my kiln's bead door and slid the rods partially into the kiln, resting the ends that were hanging out of the kiln on the terra cotta pot. Get a pot that is the right height for your kiln door.
Now I have a scientific hotplate that I use and it is easier, but the kiln worked even better because it as hotter. The only drawback to the kiln was that the ambient heat sometimes made the rods hot too far up their length and I didn't have much to hold onto.
If you're just trying to knock the chill off, and not thoroughly preheat them, I would say just set a few out on top of the kiln...that would keep them warm enough.
~~Mary
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2009-09-09, 8:39pm
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 15, 2006
Location: In my Studio
Posts: 1,811
|
|
You can order the curling iron stove on Sallys Beauty Supply website. Thats where I got mine, if you don't have one locally.They get super hot. But they work great. I've tried everything and this seems to help the most.
Just checked website at Sallys, they have been discontinued online, but you can get them in the store . There is 2 different sizes. Jumbo& regular size.One has a curved top, the other one is flat on top.
They are made by Belson and the are called Gold N Hot Ceramic Heater Stoves.
Just Google- Gold N Hot Ceramic Heater Stoves.There is another vendor in California that sales them too.
Hope this info helps.
Janet
|
2009-09-09, 11:52pm
|
|
product of the universe
|
|
Join Date: Sep 06, 2005
Location: Rutvegas Vt
Posts: 598
|
|
Quote:
I'd like to see a pic of that.
|
here ya go
__________________
Chris
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
And the men who hold high places,Must be the ones to start,To mold a new reality,Closer to the heart--Rush
Currently using fire.
|
2009-09-10, 12:28am
|
|
~ toes in the sand.
|
|
Join Date: Mar 06, 2007
Location: The Southern South
Posts: 1,015
|
|
Very cool, Chris.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2009-09-10, 8:02pm
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 16, 2007
Location: Polson, Montana
Posts: 119
|
|
Chris, that rod warmer is way cool. Thanks for sharing.
I use a mini crock pot to cool down my beads. I was just thinking the other day with the weather starting to get cooler here in Montana, if it would make a good rod warmer. I found one on ebay for about $6.00.
Carmen, I see you are from South Africa. We just got back from there, we had the best time. Great place to visit.
|
2009-09-10, 8:09pm
|
|
Life is change. Love it
|
|
Join Date: Oct 10, 2005
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 5,566
|
|
OK, my studio goes down to -15C in the winter and I never warm my rods. hey, I get the best colours from raku!
__________________
cRlyn, cause Traci says so
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2009-09-10, 9:44pm
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 29, 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 636
|
|
Glad you had a good time.
|
2009-09-10, 11:19pm
|
|
Just Me!
|
|
Join Date: Oct 22, 2005
Location: So. California
Posts: 557
|
|
I have the curling iron type also.
I bought it on ebay and the brand name is Kentucky Maid.
Do a search on Google and you'll find tons of them.............Valerie
__________________
"An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows absolutely everything about nothing."
|
2009-09-10, 11:22pm
|
|
Just Me!
|
|
Join Date: Oct 22, 2005
Location: So. California
Posts: 557
|
|
Hi Robert,
What is holding up your rods? and what is it that you have inside the unit?
I need something like that to go with mine...........Valerie
Quote:
Originally Posted by RSimmons
The curling iron heater has been a great rod heater for about 5 years.
Robert
|
__________________
"An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows absolutely everything about nothing."
|
2009-09-11, 6:42am
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 01, 2005
Posts: 2,159
|
|
I made the rack to hold the rods with a piece of bbq grill top that I got at Home Depot. The support for it is a couple of 3/32 welding rods bent to shape and attached with metal duct tape. The inside floor can be covered with a small piece of hardware cloth - it's just enough to keep the rods off the ceramic. White will stick - trust me. I used a piece of screen from an old gutter guard, but hw cloth might be easier to get. I've since added a small square of brass to sit murrini slices on for warm-up. It sits in the back on the oven and out of the way of the rod tips. I can reach in with a 2mm puntil to pick them up with I need them.
Robert
|
2009-09-11, 10:41am
|
|
Dangerous Woman
|
|
Join Date: Nov 21, 2005
Location: Southcentral PA
Posts: 5,018
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chayes
here ya go
|
Very cool! Then does that sit kinda under your flame? Is that how the rods get warm?
__________________
Nancy
May your torch burn brightly and your oxy never run out. - Karen Hardy
On a Cheetah with a hurricane Still have my Lynx as a back up.
|
2009-09-11, 11:33am
|
|
burnin' glass just becuz
|
|
Join Date: Apr 16, 2006
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 1,251
|
|
i use a old mug warmer i bought for $2 or $3 at Value Village - plunk on an old mason jar - toss the rods i plan to use in a session inside and turn it on. it holds quite a few rods, gets the tips of the rods pretty hot and cuts down on shattering esp. in winter.
also since the Mega gives off so much radiant heat, i've found i can just leave the few rods i plan to use during a particualr bead underneath the torch while i'm working on it... I then put them back in the mason jar when i'm done so my work surface doesn't become an obstacle course...lol
__________________
Evelyn - Carlisle Lucio w/ 8lpm EX-15 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Give ideas away - there are new ones underneath... Diane Vreeland
|
2009-09-11, 7:36pm
|
|
product of the universe
|
|
Join Date: Sep 06, 2005
Location: Rutvegas Vt
Posts: 598
|
|
Quote:
Very cool! Then does that sit kinda under your flame? Is that how the rods get warm?
|
This video shows the warmer in action. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoID=59220340
__________________
Chris
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
And the men who hold high places,Must be the ones to start,To mold a new reality,Closer to the heart--Rush
Currently using fire.
|
2009-09-11, 8:30pm
|
|
Ellyloo-YAH!
|
|
Join Date: Aug 01, 2006
Location: Port Colborne
Posts: 2,775
|
|
I have a metal bowl with a graphite pad set on top just a tad to the right and half under the flame of my torch... it's where i put the glass i'm working with. *shrug* i've noticed that some of the rods are *almost* too hot to touch (on the end that was near the flame).
if i want to warm a cz or milli, i'll put my handheld marver on top of this set up with what I want warmed.
NEer mind the rod warmer, i want a leg warmer in the winter. I sleep with an electric blanket in the winter cuz my legs can never warm up quickly, and i can't sleep if my feet are cold. .
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2009-09-12, 6:30am
|
Mary Lockwood
|
|
Join Date: Jun 21, 2005
Location: Boonies
Posts: 5,831
|
|
Ellyloo...you need battery heated socks. They are for hunters but when my studio was outside and unheated I used to have to blow the snow off my torch before I could light it. The battery heated socks saved me! They are made from wool, knee high, and have wires through them just like an electric blanket, you put a transistor battery in a little harness at the top of each sock and they heat up like gangbusters.
I lived in mine at the torch. They are super sexy too. LOL
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
2009-09-12, 6:31am
|
Mary Lockwood
|
|
Join Date: Jun 21, 2005
Location: Boonies
Posts: 5,831
|
|
...and they don't eat batteries really fast. One set of batteries lasted me a month or two.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:35am.
|