Small Scale Glassblowing with Nortel Minor Burner?
Jean-Francois Theoret
done a glassblowing course (the _real_ glassblowing with furnace and all)
and I know I can do small scale at home with a torch. However, I am not sure
that the Minor will fit the task. Any opinions? I mostly want to work with
borosilicate.
jf
Lynda
The National brand torches are supposed to be REALLY good for boro.
I have a midrange that does boro great.
Working on Boro with a minor is like working with a hothead.... (NOTE NOT
DISSING HOTHEADS)
It can be done... It can be done well, just takes a hellofa long time :)
--
Hugs,
Lynda
http://www.thebeadgoddess.com
It's never easy reaching for your dreams, but those who reach, walk in
stardust.
"Jean-Francois Theoret" <jfth...@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:HNQ%b.44919$qe5.1...@wagner.videotron.net...
Karen_AZ
It's a fairly small soft flame. I used my Minor for boro beadmaking but
found it difficult to make anything larger than about 20 x 20 mm without
being immensely patient. I'm currently using a Nortel Midrange Plus with a
topmounted premix and find it to me very satisfactory for working solid rod
up to 1" in diameter (even 1-1/4" but the patience factor kicks in again)
and standard-wall tubing is very simple.
I got a 19-hole hush tip for my premix this Christmas and it adds
significantly to the heat. It's the equivalent of a National 3A and is so
hot I burn through standard 3/32" stainless mandrels if I'm not VERY
careful. For the price I think this is a very good torch.
I think Tink should chime in about her Bethlehem Barracuda, though. I gather
it's as good, if not better. The one frustration I have with the Midrange is
that the main torch is a fairly soft flame. I don't do any glassblowing
other than pulling points for beads (only about a dozen so far) but I
believe she has some experience in this. I'm not at all sure whether a soft
but full flame is better than a hotter, more focused flame for blowing.
Good luck in your search!
--
KarenK
www.desertdreameraz.com
Ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/id=62631780&ssPageName=L2
Justbeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=DesertDreamer
"Jean-Francois Theoret" <jfth...@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:HNQ%b.44919$qe5.1...@wagner.videotron.net...
Cheryl
that the Minor will fit the task. Any opinions? I mostly want to work with
borosilicate.>>>>>
No - a Minor won't do if you are planning on borosilicate - you need a hotter
torch.
Cheryl
last semester of lawschool! yipee!
<A HREF="http://www.dragonbeads.com"> DRAGON BEADS </A>
Flameworked beads and glass
http://www.dragonbeads.com/
Barbara Otterson
A minor burner won't put out the heat you will need.
The national torch is an inexpensive option, but I don't
think you will be happy with it in the long run.
I use a major burner and am very satisfied with it. It's
what the school had for students in the one and only
class I ever took. It has a minor burner on top for
small stuff, and the bigger burner on the bottom
for boro.
Barbara
Dream Master
www.dreamweaverstudio.com
If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future
plans.
Woody Allen
Tinkster
<desertd...@coxnospam.net> wrote:
>I think Tink should chime in about her Bethlehem Barracuda, though. I gather
>it's as good, if not better. The one frustration I have with the Midrange is
>that the main torch is a fairly soft flame. I don't do any glassblowing
>other than pulling points for beads (only about a dozen so far) but I
>believe she has some experience in this. I'm not at all sure whether a soft
>but full flame is better than a hotter, more focused flame for blowing.
I am thoroughly thrilled with my Barracuda! I have, in fact, packed up
my GTT Lynx in favor of the Barracuda. It will provide a pinpoint
flame (2mm) up to a nice 30mm flame. I am not a fan of the over/under
style of torch (such as the Red Max, which I had briefly and sold).
The Barracuda's center fire design is much more to my liking. Another
somewhat important point is that it's very efficient and doesn't hog
fuel or oxygen. Oh, and it's a nice quiet torch, in case that matters.
I highly recommend it for both soft and hard glass. And I'm a picky
sonofagun.
Tink the Brutal
Karen_AZ
I guess the easier question is....why not??? <G>
--
KarenK
www.desertdreameraz.com
Ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/id=62631780&ssPageName=L2
Justbeads: http://www.justbeads.com/search/ql.cfm?s=DesertDreamer
"TheHotterTheBetter" <onlin...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1aaa9c32e...@news.east.earthlink.net...
> Stoopid question perhaps, but what's the attraction of using boro for
> decorative stuff (beads, marbles) that doesn't need boro's heat
> tolerance? What I'm trying to ask is that if you're making a pipe,
> testtube, trivet, of course you'd use boro. But why do you use boro for
> a bead?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -FurnaceGal
Dr. Sooz
>> decorative stuff (beads, marbles) that doesn't need boro's heat
>> tolerance?
Because it's gorgeous. It's different from soft glass.
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html
Cheryl
Stoopid question perhaps, but what's the attraction of using boro for
decorative stuff (beads, marbles) that doesn't need boro's heat
tolerance? >
different color pallette --and different reflective qualities...
Some people like the colors of boro more than the bright colors of the soft
glass.
Tinkster
rather frustrating to work with.
Tink
Barbara Otterson
wrote:
>Stoopid question perhaps, but what's the attraction of using boro for
>decorative stuff (beads, marbles) that doesn't need boro's heat
>tolerance? What I'm trying to ask is that if you're making a pipe,
>testtube, trivet, of course you'd use boro. But why do you use boro for
>a bead?
And not just color, or heat tolerance. Think shapes
and thick, thin things and long things that shock-y
glasses like moretti can't very well handle (balls,
ornaments, vases, goblets) boro is the only way to
go for them if you don't have a furnace, glory hole, etc.
Cheryl
rather frustrating to work with.>
I have some -- I think Frantz carries it all the time
"rather difficult" is an understatement...
LOL - the stuff is full of bubbles.
Actually - someone told me that the tubing WAS NOT DESIGNED to be used for
lampworking OR REHEATED, melted or blown.
The tubing is used extruded - and it is meant for running wires in, and hiding
metal parts of, glass chandeliers ..... they only cut it in pieces and shape it
(curve it, etc) over a very low temperature torch.
Tinkster
small tubing, but I used all mine up. It's fabulous!
Tink
Cheryl
Hey is this the pink and aqua and etc stuff? I love that! It's pretty
small tubing, but I used all mine up. It's fabulous!>
how did you use it? mine turned a mess... due to all the little bubbles in
it...
Tinkster
Cheryl
I just made pretty, bubbly beads with it...
Tink>
SNORT!
well duh......
Tinkster
find, I meant tubing in the 1", medium wall boro type tubing way.
Something "blowable". That beaded curtain, bubbly stuff is no good for
that.
I've had some luck blowing soft, soda lime glass tubing, but I didn't
know what the COE was, so I couldn't really add much of anything in
the way of decoration.
Tink
Cheryl
I've had some luck blowing soft, soda lime glass tubing, but I didn't
know what the COE was, so I couldn't really add much of anything in
the way of decoration. >
Candice King used that soft soda Lime tubing to make xmas ornaments.
She rolled them in standard glass blowing color frits... kugler/reichenbach/
etc.
and made cool stuff.
I have a sample pack "neon" tubing..that you are supposed to be able to "blow"
- gently! everytime I do it - I either turn it black (wrong O2 mix) - -or
slump the bubble - or blow out the side...etc.
I've just never been able to learn to pull a decent point and turn it into a
round bubble shape.
I just can't "get it"... LOL
Kandice Seeber
colors and sparkly organic look you can get with boro. Different from other
glasses.
--
Kandice Seeber
Air & Earth Designs
http://www.lampwork.net
> Stoopid question perhaps, but what's the attraction of using boro for
> decorative stuff (beads, marbles) that doesn't need boro's heat
> tolerance? What I'm trying to ask is that if you're making a pipe,
> testtube, trivet, of course you'd use boro. But why do you use boro for
> a bead?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -FurnaceGal
Louis Cage
puts up as much resistance as bubble gum, it needs to be hotter. Try to
avoid blowing too thin. Even heat is the secret to even blowing.
I have some neon tubing that is leaded glass, but Bullseye seems to be
compatible.
--
There are no mistakes, only unexplored techniques
"Cheryl" <drag...@aol.combeads> wrote in message
news:20040301012618...@mb-m25.aol.com...
Tinkster
something I've thought of, but never tried.
Tink
Louis Cage
attached to a rubber hose with a 90 degree swivel on the other end that has
about 1" of rubber hose on it. Either use glass that the hose will fit
snugly into or heat the end of the glass tube until it collapses into a hole
that is a good size for the hose. Wait until it cools to attach the hose.
Then heat the end of the glass that isn't attached to the swivel until it
closes or use a stopper. Now you can heat what ever part of the glass tube
you want to work with and blow it out. The swivel lets you rotate the glass
without binding the rubber hose.
It is so much easier than pulling points, plus you have a better view of
what you are blowing as you blow it.
--
There are no mistakes, only unexplored techniques
"Tinkster" <game...@buckeye-express.com> wrote in message
news:bfs640tn18r7dvhcp...@4ax.com...
Louis Cage
boro using a minor burner. I regularly use one to make Christmas balls out
of boro. It is hard to get anything really thick to heat up properly. I
have a Carlisle CC for that.
--
There are no mistakes, only unexplored techniques
"Jean-Francois Theoret" <jfth...@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:HNQ%b.44919$qe5.1...@wagner.videotron.net...
Cheryl
Don't pull points. Get a blowhose and attach it. Blow gently, >
thanks for the encouragement Louis
I have a blow hose - and have never tried to to use it yet!!!
maybe someday!
Tinkster
>thanks for the encouragement Louis
>
>I have a blow hose - and have never tried to to use it yet!!!
>
>maybe someday!
>
>Cheryl
>last semester of lawschool! yipee!
> <A HREF="http://www.dragonbeads.com"> DRAGON BEADS </A>
>Flameworked beads and glass
>http://www.dragonbeads.com/
I am SOOOOOOO jealous!!! You try that thing, ya hear????
Tink