Lampwork Etc.
 
TrueDesign

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat




Beads of Courage


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2018-05-14, 8:25am
jsknow4445 jsknow4445 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 28, 2015
Posts: 42
Default Rod Heaters

I have encountered some colors both 90 and 104 that just seem to shatter no matter how careful and slowly I enter the flame. Pre-heating rods are a way to solve this problem? The heaters are not cheap - are they considered necessary equipment by most beadmakers?

Just curious how hot do the rods need to be to make a difference - would laying them on warming tray or something similar be helpful at all?

Thanks June
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2018-05-14, 8:49am
Eileen's Avatar
Eileen Eileen is offline
Loving learning
 
Join Date: Oct 11, 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 11,649
Default

Not all have them by any means, but some do have one thing or another to warm the ends. Put it this way, it won't make it more shocky, and may help, so if you have anything (coffee warmer, beauty tool warming oven, whatever) give it a try and see if you like it. I have heard that some people stick the rods either on the top of their kiln, or put the end in the kiln.
Just remember that whatever is at that end may be hot when you are picking it up!

If you don't have anything like that, do warm the end of the rod further out in the flame at first, then bring it closer (especially if it is a color you know is apt to shock and spit glass at you.)
__________________
My current "hot" fantasy involves a senior discount on glass & tools!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2018-05-14, 9:03am
5betsy 5betsy is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 17, 2009
Location: Back in Tucson for good
Posts: 354
Default

I've been considering an electric griddle for this purpose. In the kiln door is really awkward for me and kiln top is not hot enough.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2018-05-14, 11:04am
jsknow4445 jsknow4445 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 28, 2015
Posts: 42
Default

I was also thinking about a crock pot full of vermiculite on high - stick the rods in and they should be at least half covered. Would probably need to wipe them off before using them. I have an extra crock pot so won't cost much to try it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2018-05-15, 3:37pm
RenaInTN RenaInTN is offline
Neophyte
 
Join Date: Sep 07, 2015
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 12
Default

I have one of the rod warmers (gifted from a friend) and it does make easy work of shocky glass IMHO. I have used vermiculite in a crock pot to keep beads warm before I had a kiln (or when I only have time for a few beads)... It could probably work as a pre-warmer, but would probably have some 'dust' residue on the glass.
One other comment... in pre-warming the glass, it seems to take less time to get it to melt.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2018-05-15, 9:42pm
Speedslug's Avatar
Speedslug Speedslug is offline
Phill
 
Join Date: Mar 21, 2009
Location: Winnebago, MN
Posts: 2,489
Default

I see a lot of the Italian Masters with big racks at the end of their torch flame warming the tips of the rods they want to use.
It's that very last inch or three of the flame.
__________________
The Zombie Apocalypse is Upon Us.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2018-05-17, 12:53pm
28676bhe 28676bhe is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 08, 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 1,687
Default

I run into rods that have an air bubble all the way down, and there is nothing that I can do to get rid of it. Sometimes, I collapse the rod by reannealing it at about 20 degrees above the temp suggested for that brand. Yes, it flattens it out a bit, but it does help!
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Barbara
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2018-05-26, 4:33pm
Lampwork49 Lampwork49 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 28, 2012
Location: Alaska
Posts: 64
Default Rod warmer

Try Delphi Art Glass. They have a couple rod warmers and not that spendy
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2018-05-31, 6:57pm
Lampwork49 Lampwork49 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 28, 2012
Location: Alaska
Posts: 64
Default Rod warmer

Hi I apologize for my mistake. It's Devardi glass that has the rod warmer. And not a bad price either. Sorry for the brain fart
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2018-07-01, 10:59am
beadforever beadforever is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 17, 2006
Posts: 146
Default

You can buy a ceramic heater from Amazon which is what Devardi glass is basically selling . Amazon ceramic heater are sold in the beauty department normally used to heat a non electric curling iron.
__________________
Pam
beadforever
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2018-07-01, 9:20pm
KJohn's Avatar
KJohn KJohn is offline
Slogan Challenged...
 
Join Date: Mar 21, 2009
Location: Maricopa, Arizona
Posts: 6,268
Default

I use a kiln and stick a few rods in partways. I dislike the residue I get on the ends but for me it is much safer than one of those heaters. I had one for about five minutes and they get scorching HOT. I couldn't put it anywhere safe on my bench. If you don't have a kiln, it would certainly be an option, but I would recommend to set aside a space you won't reach over or have anything fall against it. Also set it on a tile or something to help with the heat.
__________________
Kristin ~

Facebook:
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.

Etsy:
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.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2018-07-15, 10:09pm
Ravenesque Ravenesque is offline
Naysayer
 
Join Date: Sep 22, 2009
Posts: 1,203
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 28676bhe View Post
I run into rods that have an air bubble all the way down, and there is nothing that I can do to get rid of it. Sometimes, I collapse the rod by reannealing it at about 20 degrees above the temp suggested for that brand. Yes, it flattens it out a bit, but it does help!
Great tip, because yes, some rods preheating won't help if there's an air bubble through the rod.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2018-07-16, 7:00am
Floorkasp Floorkasp is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 25, 2013
Posts: 327
Default

I use a rod warmer. But not electric one, but a rack to hold my rods and preheat them in the back of the flame. It really speeds things up.

I have used a Czech cast iron rod warmer. You can see the set up here. You point your torch downwards towards the metal holder. I do not think these are available in the US.



I now also use an Italian portacana. Same principle, different set up. I think some versions of these are available in the US.

Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2018-07-16, 7:37am
kansassky kansassky is offline
Dix Harrison
 
Join Date: Mar 31, 2009
Location: KCKS - But my heart is in Scotland
Posts: 525
Default

Just checking.

I still see many lampworkers preparing to use a room temp cane by dipping the end in and out of the flame or waving it back and forth in the flame tip.

DON’T DO THIS!

By waving and dipping, you are actually shocking the cane with heat.
You are not “warming” it gently.
Rapid-fire high-temp shocks, are still shocks.

Try this.

Introduce the end of the cane WAY out in the tip of the flame where you cannot even see it.
Hold. Wait a few seconds and roll the cane in place with your fingertips, to get all sides warm.
Move the cane tip, one-inch closer to the torch.
Hold. Wait a few seconds and roll in place.
Repeat and move closer until the cane tips starts to glow.

Essentially, you will be “stairstepping” or sliding down the flame towards yourself, to gradually introduce higher and higher heat.
If your cane shatters, move out further...you are moving too fast.

This method really only takes a few seconds longer and I can’t tell you how much glass it saves.
It is rare that I have a cane break from heat shock, and even rarer that one is shattered to smitherines.
If one DOES break, I understand that I am trying to work too quickly...don’t rush the warming process.

This warming process has been a key “aha” for me.
It forced a more zen (and less frenetic) approach to making beads, and has caused me to slow down and become much more attentive.
I now see subtle changes and behaviors of glass that I missed earlier.

Try it. See if this doesn’t work for you!!!!

(PS, I will also say that sometimes YOU DO start with a crap cane of glass. You will know after three shatters that you need a new cane.)
__________________
“Cometh the hour. Cometh the women.”
Facebook: Kansas Sky Studio Dix Harrison
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:03am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 3.236.18.23