Transitioning from Soft to Boro

jesnbec73 · #1 2024-08-11, 9:34pm

I've worked with 104's for about thirty years now, that said I've recently gotten a large torch and bought some tubing, mostly clear and a couple vac stacks for when I get the hang of it with some basic color rods. I know that I'm going to need some darker shades for instance, and I know that it takes more heat and higher annealing temps etc. but I'm looking for the oddball stuff that I know I'm probably going to miss... long story short, going to be working with some boro soon, and I need some tips on what to expect in terms of tools needed or problems I'm going to run into. Hope that makes sense, but my experience with boro is limited to making pipettes for a broke chemistry teacher and a few pipes and points pulled. Any tips transitioning to boro from 104 would be awesome.

I already got a brass necking tool, I also figured I'm going to need some flaring tools and blow tubes/mouthpieces, maybe some diamond shears? rollers? but figured I ask you guys for advice before I finalize my grocery list here.

KJohn · #2 2024-08-11, 10:10pm

Well I would say collect it as you go. Get on you tube or get a tut and decide on what you will work on first. And then get what you need for that. Rinse & repeat!

Have fun!

echeveria · #3 2024-08-12, 5:12am

Visit Level 42 in Asheville and watch them work in the studio. I depends greatly on what you want to make. Not sure if they are doing a lot of boro at the NC Glass Center, but they probably are. I have so many tools I was just sure I needed, and quite a few have never been used.

kevingreenbmx · #4 2024-08-12, 6:22am

depends entirely on what you are making! If you make the same objects in boro as you made in soft glass, you will likely only need the exact same tools. Glass is glass at the bottom of it all, boro just has a slightly higher temp viscosity curve, but ultimately it works the same.

rcktscientist · #5 2024-08-12, 1:35pm

It does depend on what you want to make but I think with my tweezers, a 3x4 paddle, an octagonal reamer, several sized graphite rods, med. outside grabbers, a tungsten pick/reamer, and rollers I can make almost anything I want. More tools helps and you could even do it with less tools if you're budget-constrained but that's a good basic kit in order of importance.
Your brass necking tool can almost replace diamond shears so that you might investigate others like cup or duck-bill shears.
Good luck with boro, I think you'll like the speed at which you can introduce cold glass to the flame. Great for patience-challenged people like myself.

jesnbec73 · #6 2024-08-12, 2:26pm

Reamer... thanks! That is one that I don't have on the list, damn and that's like a basic one too.

jesnbec73 · #7 2024-08-12, 2:27pm

What kind of shades do you guys use for boro, I have a Bethlehem Stacks if that makes any difference?

rcktscientist · #8 2024-08-12, 3:26pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesnbec73

What kind of shades do you guys use for boro, I have a Bethlehem Stacks if that makes any difference?

Didy with shade 3 for clear and light colors. (any brand)
Didy with shade 5 for color and fuming. (any brand)
Some people like the Phillips Safety line (like me) so those come in didy but also in boroview and borotruview, the latter is supposed to be easier to see true colors with. The shade 3 seems light for some so shade 5 is generally a safe bet, just make sure you have good bench lighting. Mirror finish also boosts the UV/IR protection so look into that too.

kevingreenbmx · #9 2024-08-13, 5:39am

My wife recently got a pair of the VetroSafe split-lense over-prescription glasses and likes them. They are a soda-flare filter lenses, with magnet-on 2/3 lower shade 5 filters that can be popped on when needed, but still let you glance over the dark part when needed for fine details.

jesnbec73 · #10 2024-08-13, 5:51am

Holy crap those 5's look dark.

rcktscientist · #11 2024-08-13, 7:30am

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevingreenbmx

My wife recently got a pair of the VetroSafe split-lense over-prescription glasses and likes them. They are a soda-flare filter lenses, with magnet-on 2/3 lower shade 5 filters that can be popped on when needed, but still let you glance over the dark part when needed for fine details.

Those look pretty good for about $160, especially for people with progressives, bifocals, or any of those types of prescriptions.