first torch time

[patjjrick]

Okay, just had my first torch session yesterday.
Yep, lousy holes and the works.
Put my first two out of three beads into the annealing bubbles to quick;
ended up with dimples in the glass.
My last bead is the reason for asking a question.
On this one I used a graphite roller, the glass was luasha aquamarine transparent. The question: should I be cleaning my graphite tools before first use; the bead has a brownish stain (for lack of a better word) around the equator of the bead.
Do you think it came from the roller, did I overheat the bead, or what??
I'm on a HH clone torch.
Patrick

[snoopdog6502]

Could be just working it too close to the flame and makes it dirty.

I would not know if the tools made it dirty. wipe them up with a dry paper towel a whole bunch.

Im happy for you getting torch time, even wonky glass is fun to make and with practice even your wonky stuff will be awesome.

[allicat]

Chances are you reduced it. Most bluish-green glasses contain copper. When your flame is on the reduction side (more fuel than oxygen, which is standard for single fuel torches like the HH and it's ilk) the flame brings the copper to the surface.

Try working the glass a bit further from the flame, or adjust the flame intensity and see if that gives you the result you seek.

HTH!
Alli

[patjjrick]

Thanks Alli,
it could be copper as the stain looks brownish.
Took a pic with a usb microscope I have and it looks like its on the surface
and swirls like a film on top.
Patrick