Volcano (bead crucible?)-anyone use this?

[alb6094]

I so freakin' want one of these...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnT1B...eature=related

Someone in the comments said they couldn't see the value of this
when you could just use a minor burner or hothead easily.

What *I* see is uniform heat all around the bead and a way to actually
rest the bead while I work on components, prepare glass, etc.

And yes, I've tried the "rest the bead in the kiln, take it out with pliers, dunk
the mandrel in water and proceed" which is awkward due to my kiln placement and I just refuse to do it that way, I don't like it.

I think this tool could open up so many possibilities for me.

So. Anyone have one? Do you love it?

OR, input on building one, any ideas? Is that carved firebrick or what?

It *looks* like carved firebrick with metal sheeting surround.

Not to cut into his business or anything but the inventor is in Germany and hasn't updated his website since 2010.

[alb6094]

Or I could use the search function first....

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=223808

*sigh* Sometimes I get too excited, lol.

[cheng076]

Here's my basic concept on building one of these.

Get a 9" to 12" length of stainless steel tube about 6" to 8" in diameter with 1/16" wall and a piece of stainless for the bottom. Bend the corners down to form an octogon. These corners become the legs to hold it up off the bench.

Drill a 1" to 1 1/4" hole in the side about 4" from the bottom.

Weld on the bottom piece

Use 1" frax and ridgidizer or 1" soft fire brick to line the container.

Rig up some sort of support to hold a torch of some type such as a hothead although I would probably build a burner head specifically for the unit.

Experiment to find the best firing angles etc.

My use would be more as a small crucible kiln so I would not put the upper edge slots in mine, I would also build a top or lid for it.

Just some thoughts for those of you who might like to try this.

[alb6094]

Originally Posted by cheng076

Here's my basic concept on building one of these.

Get a 9" to 12" length of stainless steel tube about 6" to 8" in diameter with 1/16" wall and a piece of stainless for the bottom. Bend the corners down to form an octogon. These corners become the legs to hold it up off the bench.

Drill a 1" to 1 1/4" hole in the side about 4" from the bottom.

Weld on the bottom piece

Use 1" frax and ridgidizer or 1" soft fire brick to line the container.

Rig up some sort of support to hold a torch of some type such as a hothead although I would probably build a burner head specifically for the unit.

Experiment to find the best firing angles etc.

My use would be more as a small crucible kiln so I would not put the upper edge slots in mine, I would also build a top or lid for it.

Just some thoughts for those of you who might like to try this.

Thank you!

I've shown this to my husband and he has the equipment at work to do most of the fabrication. I'm thinking after the holidays I'm going to make one of these.

I don't think I want the slits on top either actually although I would leave the top open for my purposes but I need to ruminate on it.

It certainly doesn't sound like an expensive proposition which would be nice for a change.

[Alaska]

And as someone else has point out ventilation could be an issue.

[alb6094]

Originally Posted by Alaska

And as someone else has point out ventilation could be an issue.

That is certainly a valid point, I wouldn't recommend anyone try this without proper ventilation. I'm more than a little OCD about that myself.