Opinion/info: Devardi glass

Brontobrat · #1 2021-03-02, 6:54am

Hello all-

I am entering the lampworking world after about a decade break. At the at time Devardi was basically just coming on the scene. What is your opinion about their glass? Their service? The quality of their supplies and tools?

Thanks y’all -

Melissa

EmeryLawson · #2 2021-03-02, 7:01am

Their tools are fine, if not the highest quality. The glass is very shocky preheating helps.

Croft Eeusk · #3 2021-03-02, 7:48am

OMG - I know you didn't mean to open a can of worms, but ... if you search there are a number of threads on the subject.

There are some rather strong opinions on Devardi glass. I don't have one as I've never used it.

I have bought and used their metal frits and was quite satisfied w/product and service.

dj

Brontobrat · #4 2021-03-02, 8:01am

Oh dear 😬 didn’t mean to start something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croft Eeusk

OMG - I know you didn't mean to open a can of worms, but ... if you search there are a number of threads on the subject.

There are some rather strong opinions on Devardi glass. I don't have one as I've never used it.

I have bought and used their metal frits and was quite satisfied w/product and service.

dj

Three Muses Glass · #5 2021-03-02, 11:06am

No worries, Bronto. You didn't start anything, it's been going on for years. Some of the tools are fine, I did not like the glass much.

echeveria · #6 2021-03-02, 11:15am

Some people love it for the price and available colors. Others hate it for being terribly shocky and rods that are poorly pulled and irregularly shaped. I guess it all depends on your tolerance for glass that has challenging working properties. It seems cheap enough to sample if you are interested.

losthelm · #7 2021-03-02, 3:37pm

Its one of those you get what your paying for.
Some tools are useful others are over priced or have concerns.
Their bead annealer doesn't work well and the frit making tools are poorly made or questionable when it comes to sorting out metal, plastic bits and such.
Some tools are quickly made from harbor freight pliers that work a bit better once you take some sand paper or a file to clean up the edges.

Its a cheap intro tools for lampworking the shockey glass can scare off some.
The ventilation issue is often overlooked.

Speedslug · #8 2021-03-02, 9:12pm

I bought a bunch of it when I started so I would have something to play with while answering the questions about whether my body would adjust to my sitting so very long and if I would tire of it within a short time.

Also I would not be so careful with the better quality stuff and worry about "wasting so much expensive glass".

I wanted cheap stuff that I wouldn't care about trashing while I flailed about, learning what goes on with this very addictive hobby.

bshelle · #9 2021-03-10, 11:23am

They have some pretty glass colors. It seems stiffer than other 104s so I don't mix it. I preheat it in my kiln and it's fine. Rods are uneven and have stones in them at times. Someone said you get what you pay for. Applies hardily here, but again, I don't mind it. I have been using broken bottles, old broken uranium glass, etc. and it's stiff and needs preheated and pulled into rods, so no bother to me.

The tools are a good starting point to see if you might want to invest in higher end tools. Graphite tools seem fine. They have great prices on foils/leaf. The presses are really wonky, but fun to try. I used a flower press for a while and put up with it. The "bead annealer" isn't, and it irks some that they advertise it that way.

They sell torches and flashback arresters and other torch accessories. I don't have any personal experience with this kind of equipment from them. However, given the focus on 'inexpensive' with Devardi, and the nature of the other products that are inconsistent and quirky at best, I just would spring for a Nortel Minor or a GTT Cricket and get your other accessories from somewhere like Mountain Glass Arts. I'm cheap, but I'm not that cheap with stuff that could burn my entire existence to the ground.

KJohn · #10 2021-03-10, 9:43pm

I like their tools and have quite a few. One day I want to get a few more of those strange rollers and do a chess set or something.

I've been tempted by some of the colors, but going by past experience, I would get the thinner rods they call stringers, that are the same size as regular rods (4-5mm). Not sure if I can use them with the other 104, so I haven't bothered yet.

I got my hoses there for both the single fuel & duel torch setups. I didn't like their version of the hothead torch, I've had several of theirs before getting a "real" one.
I had LOTS AND LOTS of trouble with the propane regulators which tended to leak, and there was good customer service so I was able to keep returning them, Bad batch? who knows. I ended up getting one from Frantz, at twice the price, but that has been 3 or 4 years and still going strong.
They have lots of cool stuff like metal frits and foils, and it's the only place I can find raku 00 powder without having to buy bulk.
I have a couple of their little presses but never used them. I wished that I had gotten some of the little flower ones, all the ones I like tend to be out of stock whenever I look.

So, mixed experience. The customer service makes up for a lot of it, except for anything to do with the glass. For the glass.....eh, get what you paid for but the "stringers" are almost the same price as "regular glass"....some of the colors still interest me, but not enough to get me to fiddle with it. Starting out would be different, just bear in mind that all glass will work a bit differently, and it's up to you.

BeaDangerous · #11 2021-03-21, 8:34am

I've been pleased with the glass once I learned how slowly I need to warm it. I bought a bunch of their assortments, and they do make some beautiful colors. The rods are quite thick and wonky, some full of tiny bubbles, and I've got one that I haven't been able to warm up at all, it explodes immediately. I have had a little devitrification, strangely even on a couple of transparent colors.
On the plus side, it's cheap, has a slightly stiffer texture so you really can't overheat it accidentally and lose the shape or details. I haven't had ANY of it burn or get scummy, even the turquoises and opaque purples stay true. And usually once I've used a rod, it's a little easier to warm up the next time. They ship fast and package well too. I haven't had any problem mixing it with other 104 glasses.
Get a little assortment bundle and give it a chance, you might like it!

Brontobrat · #12 2021-03-21, 6:14pm

The first color I tried had devitrification

I dunno...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeaDangerous

I've been pleased with the glass once I learned how slowly I need to warm it. I bought a bunch of their assortments, and they do make some beautiful colors. The rods are quite thick and wonky, some full of tiny bubbles, and I've got one that I haven't been able to warm up at all, it explodes immediately. I have had a little devitrification, strangely even on a couple of transparent colors.
On the plus side, it's cheap, has a slightly stiffer texture so you really can't overheat it accidentally and lose the shape or details. I haven't had ANY of it burn or get scummy, even the turquoises and opaque purples stay true. And usually once I've used a rod, it's a little easier to warm up the next time. They ship fast and package well too. I haven't had any problem mixing it with other 104 glasses.
Get a little assortment bundle and give it a chance, you might like it!