Question about working with thicker glass rods

[playswithfire104]

I have beed working with 12 - 13 mm rods making something I have orders for. I am finding that the rods tend to crack and break about an inch or so away from where I'm working. Is there a trick or something to working with this size rod and not having it crack and break? I'm working off mandrel if that matters.

[Heidi von Frozenfyre]

Sure - just keep them pre-heated in your kiln :)

[playswithfire104]

I can't do that. I have a small kiln with no bead door. The whole rod would have to go in the kiln and then it would be too hot to hold.

[kittyluv4ever]

First off I am no expert when it comes to large rods, but I saw in a video once this small curling iron oven used to keep pieces warm while working I think they run some where around 50.00. You can get them at Sally Beauty Supply or on e-bay as well.
69739

[playswithfire104]

I use a George Foreman grill - a small one as a rod warmer. It works pretty well and only cost 5 bucks at a yard sale. I think the problem is with the large rods.

[Toni Lutman]

The George Foreman grill probably just doesn't get hot enough to preheat the larger rods adequately.

[AnnDK]

I use an old-fashion toaster (the new plastic-coated ones melt and the have a not very handy timer)...... put your rods on it before you start, then the rods won't break and they'll still be cold in the other end.

[emtjab]

I have a grill that I got from walmart for $20. I have all my rods on it pre-heating (I hate cracking!).....whatever the size. I never have it above the 1 setting and it goes to 8.....so it seems to get plenty hot.

Julie

[Miss Kate]

First off I am no expert when it comes to large rods, but I saw in a video once this small curling iron oven used to keep pieces warm while working I think they run some where around 50.00. You can get them at Sally Beauty Supply or on e-bay as well.
69739


This is a great rod warmer.

It gets to about 900 degrees.
You need to cut some of your fiber blanket to fill the large hole in the back side.
Also - works better if you plug it in to a rheostat (like what you plug your soldering iron into) to better control the temp. When I first used it, I just placed a rod into it when cold, then turned it on. Got so hot, so fast - made the rod jump out of the warmer.

Hope this helps!

Miss Kate

[RSimmons]

I work with thick clear rods a lot and have been using the curling iron/rod heater from the beauty supply store for several years. It does the job and minimizes thermal shock cracking. You can make a small rack that sits in front of the opening to support both long and short rods. Put a bit of steel screen on the bottom to keep th glass from sticking to the ceramic coating.

Robert

[loco]

I heat the fatties and the shockys on top of my kiln. Works like a charm!

[playswithfire104]

This is a great rod warmer.

It gets to about 900 degrees.
You need to cut some of your fiber blanket to fill the large hole in the back side.
Also - works better if you plug it in to a rheostat (like what you plug your soldering iron into) to better control the temp. When I first used it, I just placed a rod into it when cold, then turned it on. Got so hot, so fast - made the rod jump out of the warmer.

Hope this helps!

Miss Kate

I don't know exactly what a rheostat is or where to get one. I've never used a soldering iron I use a torch to solder.



I've read where people preheat their rods on top of their kiln. I don't think mine gets hot enough for that. I mean I can touch it without burning myself. I'm sure my Geo Forman grill gets much hotter than the top of my kiln.

[designsbykurato]

I heat the fatties and the shockys on top of my kiln. Works like a charm!

Ditto to what loco said!!