Has anyone had success with...

sansan239s · #1 2011-07-04, 8:39pm

re-introducing a thermal cracked, still on the mandrel bead and re-heated to heal the cracks?

I finally had a pretty darn cool heart bead, only to find it had thermal cracks when I took it out of the kiln. Normally, I would just take it as lesson learned but I would REALLY REALLY like to save this one if possible. Any thoughts??

queenofswords · #2 2011-07-04, 8:46pm

If it is boro, warm it up again slowly in your kiln before re-introducing it into the flame.

Toni Lutman · #3 2011-07-04, 8:47pm

It sure can't hurt to try, can it?

jamie lynne · #4 2011-07-04, 8:48pm

If you warm it up nice and slow in your kiln to 950+ (I speak of soft glass) and hold it there for a while to let the heat sink in, then carefully (without burning yourself) reintroduce it to the flame, it should work.

jeepinwelch · #5 2011-07-04, 8:54pm

I've had mixed results. It depends on the design. If it is complicated I usually end up with details that aren't as crisp as I prefer. If it's more of an organic design it's works a little better. You have to heat it up enough to heal the crack at the core so it can be interesting. Be prepared for your bead release to let go too.

jeepinwelch · #6 2011-07-04, 8:55pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by queenofswords

If it is boro, warm it up again slowly in your kiln before re-introducing it into the flame.

That what I do for soft glass too.

glassactcc · #7 2011-07-04, 10:10pm

I put my cracked bead in the kiln and ramp it up to annealing temp. I work my session and the last thing I do is take the cracked bead out and re-work it. Works just fine.

SharonP · #8 2011-07-04, 10:13pm

Unless it's cracked all the way to the core. It the crack's that deep, and you can reheat it enough to do a deep melt, you usually get an air bubble down by the mandrel, and the darn thing cracks in half when you take it off the mandrel.

But simple surface cracks and sculptural bits that pop off all fix nicely with reheat.

Lisi · #9 2011-07-04, 11:29pm

I've tried in several times and it never worked out. I think it was because the crack was deep and down to the mandrel, so it cracked the bead release too. Those beads either shattered more or were permanently stuck. Wish I could say something more positive!

Kevan · #10 2011-07-05, 12:02am

Lots of times. I've healed whole goddess beads by sticking them in the kiln cold, turning it on and letting it heat up for a couple of hours first. It depends where they are cracked, though. They tend to crack inbetween the legs.

sansan239s · #11 2011-07-07, 8:20pm

Ya'all rock! Thanks bunches for all your suggestions. I'll take a pick if it works out...thanks again!! hugs Sandy

Elizabeth Beads · #12 2011-07-08, 6:42am

I've done repairs with a lot of success, but so far have not been able to heal a bead that is cracked all along the mandrell line on both sides, even if it still in clinging to the bead release. I do what has been said, ramp up the bead and soak at least an hour. I take a wadded up wet paper towel and cool the mandrel so I can handle it. Flash the bead in the flame for a bit before introducing it full out. I've even put beads back on mandrels. Dip, put bead back, dry, use a toothbrush to gently brush away most of the exposed bead release.

mandyjw · #13 2011-07-08, 7:11am

The time I tried it I ended up with hot glass exploding all over the place, but I might have not been patient enough in trying to get it from kiln temp to melting temperatures slowly. One thing you may wish to consider is if the crack isn't that extensive you may rather just wear the bead yourself as is rather than risking it breaking into pieces. I have some beads I wear regularly that cracked years ago and they still are in one piece.