Last of ASK (Kugler) 104 Cane

PattyK · #1 2024-11-11, 7:15pm

For anyone that might still be interested in the old ASK 104 colors

Just got the following notice from hotglasscolor:

Kugler is no longer making cane, Hot Glass Color & Supply will be discontinuing Kugler cane as of November 30th

Still a fairly decent selection of colors .. wish they were discounted but nice to get a chance to stock up a bit.

I am picking up a few colors (current color name / old ASK color name)

Light Beige (Moroccan Swirl)
Light Grey (Mystic Grey)
Silver Petrol (Silver Rattan)
Silver Brown (Silver Cinnamon)

and here's a link to the old Seraphim website with some of their amazing twistie recipes. So inspiring

https://web.archive.org/web/20111224....blogspot.com/

rainygrrl · #2 2024-11-21, 2:03pm

Patty, thank you so much for the heads up!! I'd forgotten about the Seraphim website, such amazing work!

KJohn · #3 2024-11-21, 7:28pm

Me too, thanks for the heads up. What does this mean, no longer making cane? Does that mean they are not pulling into smaller lengths for us, or they are discontinuing glass manufacturing? Didn't the same thing happen to Gaffer? I can't recall, Rbach bought them I think.

echeveria · #4 2024-11-21, 8:00pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJohn

Me too, thanks for the heads up. What does this mean, no longer making cane? Does that mean they are not pulling into smaller lengths for us, or they are discontinuing glass manufacturing? Didn't the same thing happen to Gaffer? I can't recall, Rbach bought them I think.

I think no more cane but still making bars, cullet etc for hot shop work. Yes, Reichenbach took over Gaffer production, although Gaffer stopped making cane long before that.

PattyK · #5 2024-11-22, 6:57am

I think Kathy has it right .. still making glass but maybe just not enough demand from beadmakers?

echeveria · #6 2024-11-22, 7:22am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PattyK

I think Kathy has it right .. still making glass but maybe just not enough demand from beadmakers?

Lampworking takes such a miniscule amount of glass compared to hot shop and commercial glass. I asked Gaffer once why their rods were so inconsistent even for handpulled and was told it was basically leftover stuff, end of runs, etc. I think as demand slowed, it became more trouble than it was worth.

KJohn · #7 2024-11-22, 5:15pm

ok so if we still wanted some Kugler we could purchase it but pull it down ourselves, like we did with Gaffer. I'm just happy they are not out of business.

PattyK · #8 2024-11-22, 6:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJohn

ok so if we still wanted some Kugler we could purchase it but pull it down ourselves, like we did with Gaffer. Winter there so maybe something to do with the fuel, too expensive to bother with now. I'm just happy they are not out of business.

That's a really cool idea and sounds like you have done that before. How big of a torch would you need for that?

KJohn · #9 2024-11-22, 7:11pm

You heat up the puck or piece of rod in the kiln, and then break off pieces and melt and pull. You can use a hot glass rod to shock it, you don't have to bash it. Not sure of the temp, there are some threads here about that. I really hate to mess with stuff, so I'm glad I didn't get stuck on the Kugler.

BTW they are discontinuing ALL 104, as well as 96 cane so I wouldn't do that in any case.

PattyK · #10 2024-11-22, 7:14pm

Good to know .. thanks Kristin!

echeveria · #11 2024-11-23, 7:43am

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJohn

ok so if we still wanted some Kugler we could purchase it but pull it down ourselves, like we did with Gaffer. I'm just happy they are not out of business.

Only the 96 though. Or you could get coarse frit and pull stringer

jesnbec73 · #12 2024-11-23, 9:25am

Quote:

Originally Posted by PattyK

That's a really cool idea and sounds like you have done that before. How big of a torch would you need for that?

You can also heat it up in the kiln and then chuck it into a bucket of cold water, use a metal bucket or put a steel bowl in the bottom of the bucket and make sure the water is pretty deep to prevent pieces from coming out. Fire it to 900F and hold it there until the heat has time to get through the entire piece. I used this method for large cullets a couple of times and it works like a charm. Just be careful when transferring it to the bucket, it's one of the more adventurous things I've ever done in the studio LOL

KJohn · #13 2024-11-23, 3:33pm

hhaha yeah I imagine. Putting a hot glass rod of clear against the side breaks it off in chunks, much neater and you can do it as you need to. If I REEEEEEALLY wanted a color I would, but I don't use any 96 anyway. Still a shame.

PattyK · #14 2024-11-23, 5:21pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesnbec73

You can also heat it up in the kiln and then chuck it into a bucket of cold water, use a metal bucket or put a steel bowl in the bottom of the bucket and make sure the water is pretty deep to prevent pieces from coming out. Fire it to 900F and hold it there until the heat has time to get through the entire piece. I used this method for large cullets a couple of times and it works like a charm. Just be careful when transferring it to the bucket, it's one of the more adventurous things I've ever done in the studio LOL

hahaha .. I am much too lazy for this!