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#1
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Beginner Lampworking Questions
Hi all,
I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
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#2
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It sounds like you have gunky propane. I would try a 1gal Coleman propane
you can get at Walmart for $3 for 3. If that doesn't give you the black then it's your propane that's dirty. I had dirty propane too and it's very frustrating. -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Maeven" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
#3
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I'm curious... shouldn't you be using MAPP gas as a single fuel? If you
use propane alone, I would think that's going to do all kinds of weird things.... Karin starlia wrote: It sounds like you have gunky propane. I would try a 1gal Coleman propane you can get at Walmart for $3 for 3. If that doesn't give you the black then it's your propane that's dirty. I had dirty propane too and it's very frustrating. -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Maeven" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
#4
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I think you are correct. Propane without an oxidizer will have a lot of
unburned carbon, which explains the black deposits. MAPP gas burns more cleanly because the accelerant is built into the formula. Long term solution - get an oxy/propane setup. The difference in fuel costs will pay for the torch and even a kiln over a year's time. -- There are no mistakes, only unexplored techniques "Karin Cernik" wrote in message ... I'm curious... shouldn't you be using MAPP gas as a single fuel? If you use propane alone, I would think that's going to do all kinds of weird things.... Karin starlia wrote: It sounds like you have gunky propane. I would try a 1gal Coleman propane you can get at Walmart for $3 for 3. If that doesn't give you the black then it's your propane that's dirty. I had dirty propane too and it's very frustrating. -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Maeven" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
#5
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Thanks Starlia, we're trying a new tank tonight. I'll let you know!
Wendy starlia wrote: It sounds like you have gunky propane. I would try a 1gal Coleman propane you can get at Walmart for $3 for 3. If that doesn't give you the black then it's your propane that's dirty. I had dirty propane too and it's very frustrating. -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Maeven" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
#6
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I think it worked!!!!!! With the hurricanes we had a bunch of the little
propane tanks around for the lanterns and hubby hooked one up for me tonight. I just did a bead with white center (so I could see any brown/black) and a clear encasing and before I put it in the blanket I didn't see any black! I am so excited... He's going to check on getting a new big propane tank tomorrow. He works right next to a propane station. We're planning on moving to a Nortel minor but until we can afford it and the oxy stuff with regulators and whatnot, we have to make due with the Hot Head. Buying all the plywood for the windows and the impact drill put us down a bit. I can't wait for winter....sigh. I just want to thank everyone again. I am having a blast and you all have been so kind. Wendy Maeven wrote: Thanks Starlia, we're trying a new tank tonight. I'll let you know! Wendy starlia wrote: It sounds like you have gunky propane. I would try a 1gal Coleman propane you can get at Walmart for $3 for 3. If that doesn't give you the black then it's your propane that's dirty. I had dirty propane too and it's very frustrating. -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Maeven" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
#7
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I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questio WELL -- ONE you are supposed to use MAPP with a HOT HEAD... it wasn't designed for plain propane -- which is probably the largest part of your problem..... all of your black is carbonization problems -- because the propane does not burn hot enough in a Hot Head torch. Lampworkers who use Propane/Oxygen torches just have the Oxygen in the mix to avoid this problem -- you can't do it... buy a MAPP tank.... ) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much ONLY if they are very very small beads... read up on annealing - http://www.dragonbeads.com/anneal.html Cheryl DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass http://www.dragonbeads.com/ |
#8
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That's fine too, with the right torch.
-Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay vj wrote: vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Louis Cage" : ]get an oxy/propane setup. what about oxygen/natural gas? |
#9
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If you continue to have the same problem, try working an inch further
out in the flame. It will take you longer to get your glass melted, but it should be cleaner. -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay Maeven wrote: Thanks Starlia, we're trying a new tank tonight. I'll let you know! Wendy starlia wrote: It sounds like you have gunky propane. I would try a 1gal Coleman propane you can get at Walmart for $3 for 3. If that doesn't give you the black then it's your propane that's dirty. I had dirty propane too and it's very frustrating. -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Maeven" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
#10
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When you do upgrade to a Minor, if your house has natural gas you might
consider having a hookup put in for your torch... use the money you would have spent on a propane regulator. Likewise, instead of buying an oxygen regulator, putting a deposit down to rent a tank, and then paying for weekly tank fill ups, consider buying a used oxygen concentrator right from the start... you'll save lots of money over tanked oxygen, oxygen concentrators are completely safe, and you won't have th hassle of running out. -Kalera http://www.beadwife.com http://www.snipurl.com/kebay Maeven wrote: I think it worked!!!!!! With the hurricanes we had a bunch of the little propane tanks around for the lanterns and hubby hooked one up for me tonight. I just did a bead with white center (so I could see any brown/black) and a clear encasing and before I put it in the blanket I didn't see any black! I am so excited... He's going to check on getting a new big propane tank tomorrow. He works right next to a propane station. We're planning on moving to a Nortel minor but until we can afford it and the oxy stuff with regulators and whatnot, we have to make due with the Hot Head. Buying all the plywood for the windows and the impact drill put us down a bit. I can't wait for winter....sigh. I just want to thank everyone again. I am having a blast and you all have been so kind. Wendy Maeven wrote: Thanks Starlia, we're trying a new tank tonight. I'll let you know! Wendy starlia wrote: It sounds like you have gunky propane. I would try a 1gal Coleman propane you can get at Walmart for $3 for 3. If that doesn't give you the black then it's your propane that's dirty. I had dirty propane too and it's very frustrating. -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Maeven" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I've been puttering away at my hothead that my husband hooked to a propane tank and I'm having some problems/questions that I'm hoping you guys will be kind enough to help me with. I am starting to get a better feel for making things that look like beads, at least in a general shaping sense..hehe but these are my big hurdles at the moment. Situation: Using all Moretti glass, HotHead torch with Propane tank (fully ventilated and shield). 1) Using either Clear or Light blue over a thin cobalt base with tiny cobalt stringers, the clear or light blue gets black in it. I thought that if you kept it out of the blue pointed flame part you wouldn't get that. Also while working the glass I'll see a lighter colored part appear on the surface (not bubbles) more like an oil slick. Is that the black getting onto the bead? Once the black gets on the bead, can you make it go away? 2) If my problem is that I'm getting the glass too hot, should I switch to a different color type? I thought I'd heard that the clear color (?) was more touchy. 3) I had in mind a pretty bead tonight and after messing up two (I think, they are in the blanket right now) I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Not that I expect perfection, they weren't perfectly round or any thing spectacular, just a cobalt base, clear or light blue casing with a very thin cobalt stringer (man does thin stringer go nuts in the flame!) It was cool. Anyway, the black got me down. I'm wondering if I should just use colors that aren't transparent if I keep screwing up the clears or transparents... 4) We have a fiber blanket for now, but I got a crock pot and need to pick up the vermiculite. Will the crock pot and vermiculite keep beads from cracking so much? No I'm not selling them. They still suck too much. 8-) I just want to keep them for nostalgic purposes. Well, that's mostly it for today. I'm probably just wigged out from Frances and my mess ups got to me more than they should have. Thanks everyone, Wendy Remove the ferret to email me. |
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