Encasilng copper or brass?

Rose Leslie · #1 2006-08-31, 12:36pm

I have tried this and worked a little until getting it out of the kiln. If I can't get it done than I can't be in the exchange. How do you do this. I'm really getting some nice beads but then they break. So do you heat up the metal before you put it on the bead or what. Help please.

Feldt's Glass · #2 2006-09-02, 3:01am

Are you trying to encase a copper or brass tube? There is another thread on this somewhere. Sorry I don't have time to look but I remember to...
Pick fairly thin tube, slip it on your mandrel, it must be snug, then you get it red hot and then add white hot glass to it while it is still red hot, you then add a little extra to make the ends smooth to hide the sharpness of the metal. Hope this helps!

Rose Leslie · #3 2006-09-03, 9:25am

Any thing helps thanks. I think I got the first one done. Will see if it works again. And the spelling on the title is aweful. I don't do that all the time just most of the time. Sorry. Hmmmm. To long of finger nails.

PTSideshow · #4 2006-09-03, 2:19pm

I think you are talking about the enamel on copper tube beads here They are slightly different than soft or hard glass bead making due to the wide difference in the COE of the enamel frit 6/20 size and the 80 mesh enamel that is used in the bead booklets by Thompson Enamels http://www.thompsonenamel.com/
and this site is the Pam East site that brought an updated version on in the magazines http://www.pinzart.com/

The video and booklet she had on sale was well worth it.